# Tow hooks **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 1, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996 "2009-02-01T17:27:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/1 "2009-02-01T17:27:16Z")
My Jeep Cherokee has tow hooks on it. Fortunately, they’ve never been used. Unfortunately, I don’t know that I’d know how to use them if they were needed. They are mounted with the points down, [like this](http://www.autotrucktoys.com/liberty/images/backtowhook.jpg). Why? Shouldn’t the points be up to prevent the chain or strap from simply falling off? (Yes, I’m aware that there are hooks with [keepers](https://www.expeditionexchange.com/curt/DSC08835.jpg) on them; but most I’ve seen are point-down hooks.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/2 "2009-02-01T17:34:40Z")
Maybe putting points up gets too close to frame or suspension parts and leaves too small a gap to get a chain in. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/3 "2009-02-01T17:51:11Z")
I agree Johnny. Without keepers they can be a pain. You need a driver of both vehicles and a person to keep tension on. I often end up just hooking onto a frame member or solid axle, but my Pathfinder has hooks that turn and are 180 degrees to the ground. I’ve pulled out 3 people so far this year with my Pathfinder, including a ¾ ton Dodge pickup. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/4 "2009-02-01T18:11:19Z")
I don’t think they’re tow hooks, though that is what they can be used for. I believe their original purpose are anchor points for tying down the vehicle during shipping. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/5 "2009-02-01T18:12:41Z")
> [@Enola\_Straight](#): > > I believe their original purpose are anchor points for tying down the vehicle during shipping. I don’t think so, as they are dealer-installed options. ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/6 "2009-02-01T18:21:23Z")
With the hooks down, the only PITA is that little bit of tension required before the tow begins. Kick 'em off when your done. With hooks up, or hooks with keepers, the PITA is getting the towee unhooked with globs of mud, rocks, slush, bits of branches etc. Towees don’t like to get their hands dirty. Towers don’t want their straps cut or fiddlin all goddam day with the thing. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/7 "2009-02-01T18:50:16Z")
> [@Enola\_Straight](#): > > I don’t think they’re tow hooks, though that is what they can be used for. > > I believe their original purpose are anchor points for tying down the vehicle during shipping. In most cases, hooks or loops on trucks and cars are anchor points to keep it from moving around on the assembly line. After assembly, it’s up to you how to use them. I’ve seen many trucks and cars being transported across the country, and they were anchored to the transporter by suspension parts, not tow hooks. That way, the vehicle is firmly anchored, but the weight of it is free to move around on its springs and shocks over the bumps of the road. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/8 "2009-02-01T19:15:07Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > In most cases, hooks or loops on trucks and cars are anchor points to keep it from moving around on the assembly line. After assembly, it’s up to you how to use them. > > I’ve seen many trucks and cars being transported across the country, and they were anchored to the transporter by suspension parts, not tow hooks. That way, the vehicle is firmly anchored, but the weight of it is free to move around on its springs and shocks over the bumps of the road. I don’t think so, as they are dealer-installed options. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/9 "2009-02-01T20:57:40Z")
From what I’ve seen, most factory /dealer tow hooks on passenger cars / SUVs are mostly cosmetic, not functional. While they can be used, issues of style and cost outweigh functionality. Tow hooks on vehicles should be closed loops. And the tow chains or straps should also be closed loops, but with some sort of release which is not in the load path, a la carabiner, or hook keeper or … If the rig won’t stay connected when not under tension, you’ve got a rig which will separate at some pointin thr extraction / tow effort, guaranteed. But mountng downward-facing 180-degree hooks on the bottom of frame rails is easy, and they peek out from under the bumper looking suitably macho and prepared for anything. Except actually towing something. And a Jeep Cherokee, despite its lineage, is much more of a grocery store cruiser than a serious off-road or work vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/10 "2009-02-01T21:02:33Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > And a Jeep Cherokee, despite its lineage, is much more of a grocery store cruiser than a serious off-road or work vehicle. Actually, I have taken it offroad. Could’ve used better tires in the snotty mud, but it performed admirably. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/11 "2009-02-01T23:14:26Z")
Are you talking about the front or rear? They’re not for transportation. Jeeps have slots in the frame for that. All recent Jeeps have the same inverted tow hook in the rear, if they have them at all. They attach to the frame rails and there’s just nowhere to put one that faces upward (except on the front bumper of the [Wrangler](http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7862/snap9bk1.jpg)). Most Cherokees don’t have them on the front, I assume it’s because the frame rails are covered by the bumper. Many other vehicles have them pointing to the side. It’s just a matter of what you can put and where. I’ve recovered vehicles while offroad with hooks pointing down, it’s not much of a pain. If you pull the strap away from the vehicle, the weight of the strap will usually keep it on the hook. An upside down hook is better than no recovery point. Although most probably are used as grocery getters (what 4wd isn’t?), the Cherokee is an excellent offroad vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/12 "2009-02-01T23:27:36Z")
Mine has two in the front and one in the rear. ---
**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/13 "2009-02-01T23:38:50Z")
could it be ,when there is tension on them ,as when being towed the towing chain will pull to the top.if the open end were at the top it might cause the tow chain to disengage? ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/14 "2009-02-01T23:47:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Mine has two in the front and one in the rear. Found [this](http://www.wjjeeps.com/towhooks.htm#INST) which shows how they are installed on a WJ, which should be roughly the same for all Cherokees. There’s just nowhere to put them facing upward. ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/15 "2009-02-02T01:59:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > My Jeep Cherokee has tow hooks on it. Fortunately, they’ve never been used. Unfortunately, I don’t know that I’d know how to use them if they were needed. They are mounted with the points down, > Why? Shouldn’t the points be up to prevent the chain or strap from simply falling off?( I think it is a very practical position to mount them. Think about how dangerous the hooks would be to you should you slip and fall having hook snag you. I would use a [Larks foot](http://www-sop.inria.fr/agos/sis/Techniques/knots.html#lark) type connection using a tow strap. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/16 "2009-02-02T02:20:07Z")
Tow hooks are less than ideal (either attached to the vehicle or to a strap,) but perhaps better than nothing. I say this because there is always the possibility of strap (or chain) slipping off (or even bending) as opposed to something like a jate ring [https://www.expeditionexchange.com/kit/DSC00854.jpg](https://www.expeditionexchange.com/kit/DSC00854.jpg) Personally I much rather perfer to have an attachment point that I can slip a D shackle into. [http://www.petersen-stainless.co.uk/Images/D%20Shackle.jpg](http://www.petersen-stainless.co.uk/Images/D%20Shackle.jpg) Hootie ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/17 "2009-02-02T05:18:47Z")
You could feed a loop of rope through the hole and then the end of the rope through this loop to lock in the rope (bypassing the hook altogether). The problem with this is the tow hook on the car probably has sharp edges so you would be better off attaching a [quick link](http://www.doityourself.com/invt/u127092) so you have a smooth surface. This would also take the strain off the rope as the link would take the stress of pivoting at the attachment point. FYI, you cannot use those spring loaded caribeaner style clips because they will not take the stress. Been there, done that when towing. ---
**Author:** ![bluezooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bluezooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluezooky)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tow-hooks/483996/18 "2009-02-02T07:17:37Z")
That’s a recovery hook so you can use a “snatch stap” to jerk your jeep out of a mudhole, the idea is not to use a shackle which can smash though your windsceen, panel or person if the hook fails.