mestdagh

I didn't get the tow hitch because of reduced departure angle and I don't tow. .. well I forgot about pulling my wife's car up the drive when her studded tires don't cut it.
I couldn't find anything under the bumper to hook to w/o the strap messing up my bumper but in the top center of the bumper are 3 round plastic inserts. I popped the middle, large, one out and I see lot's of metal. Anyone know what this is normally used for? Could I thread a rope thru this (and around the bumper) and use it to pull a vehicle out? Thanks.

Forrest Nearing

should be fine... when in doubt, wrap the strap around an axle tube.

Forrest

1sttruck

I don't have a hitch either, but do have the three holes in the bumper. Looking at the factory hitch and what I have it appears that I'm just missing the small bracket that the hitch is on, as the small bracket that the hitch is on is welded to the larger brakect that is bolted to the frame under the bed, which I do have. The larger bracket also support the bumper. As I recall the dealer commented that the three holes were for hitches.

jkitterman

The three holes are for hitch *****. You can tow with just the bumper up to, I believe, 5000lbs. You should be fine using it just to pull your wifes car if it is not really stuck. Some people find a large clevis ring to fit through the hole and attach the strap to that..

quantrill88

Pulling on it, you should be fine, I definately wouldnt yank on it. If at all possible, put a D-ring/shackle through the hole then secure the strap, otherwise the metal will eventually rub right through the strap.

Strap around the axle tube?! .........you can do some serious damage that way

Forrest Nearing

pulling his wife's car up a hill? s'plain...

mestdagh

thanks for the info guys.
I was looking at the axle opton also but on my 05 I've got some cabling/tubes on each side of the diff. If the strap slipped along the axle .. bye bye cabling.

quantrill88

pulling a small car up a hill a couple of times, fine..........yank on it or pull anything heavier and you start breaking things.

The only time i ever hook to the tubes is while recovering a vehicle w/ significant damage. If you think you cant bust something on a big heavy CTD your wrong.

I shoulda mentioned this in my first post, but if you pulling it up a hill, hook to the slots in the frame, they are there, u just have to find them.

mestdagh

the car's an Escort wagon, the driveway is gradual. When the snow's deep, it's the length of the incline that stops it. Before I got the truck, it wasn't a big deal to get (usually) to get her out w/ the Landcruiser. Good points though, quantrilla. I'll use the slots before I have to yank. Thanks.

Kahuner

mestdagh,

Don't you have the 2 tow hooks on the front bumper? I drive an '05 as well and that's what I use when towing a distressed vehicle. For example: (a short, amusing story as to what NOT to do!)

I was in Charlotte, NC in late October with my brand new 3500 dually. It was a drizzly, wet evening and I noticed there was a semi, stuck in a field next to the motel I was staying in. I noticed the semi driver was trying to rock his truck because he couldn't get enough traction on the red clay. I walked over and thought: "should I or, shouldn't I, offer to help?"

I couldn't resist!

We decided to try pulling just the tractor forward but, the tractor was up against a slight hill and that didn't work. Then we came up with the bright idea of pulling both the tractor and trailer backwards.

I was trying to stay in sync with the driver of the tractor, as he rocked his rig. That was somewhat successful. Then I thought I'd take a run at it. Comparable to a "clean and jerk" move in weight lifting.

We were using a chain rather than a tow strap. Let me tell you, when I got to the end of the chain; my truck came at least a foot off the ground!!

Luckily it was just enough of a tug to get him moving!

Check your front bumper for the tow hooks and don't take running starts with a chain!

mestdagh

Kahuner, I bought what I could afford off the lot (meaning cheapest). No tow hooks on front. I'll be adding goodies as I can afford it. Probably put the highest approach angle winch bumper I can find up there.