ok i want to make my own tow hook setup because the stock ones are just plain garbage. what was dodge thinking? anyway, right now i do not have tow hooks and realize that the only thing holding the bumper on is 2 pieces of 1/8th inch steel bolted to the frame. i realize there is reinforcement brackets that bolt to the frame and where the tow hooks mount. first things first the tow hooks are only rated for 5500 lbs which isnt even close to the amount that the truck weighs.

What i was thinking about doing is taking some 3/8ths plate and making my own reinforcement brackets for only one side of the frame (outside of the frame) they will be connected to the frame and tow hooks same as the stockers. my question is do you think this would be strong enough to support an actual pull if i were to get stuck? the stock reinforcment brackets are about 1/4 inch thick.

the hooks will be welded on a half inch piece of steel that will be about 45 inches long and connected to both mounting points that the stock tow hooks bolt to (8 bolts holding the plate on).

doyou think this would work?

 

Not really the feedback you were looking for but we used the front end loader to pull my 06 dually out of some decent mud with a 10k pound empty dump trailer attached to it from the ranch hand grill guard. I would always pull from both hook points.

 

Dodge tow hooks are actually pretty good ,but need to be further out of the bumper by a couple of inches.You just hook your recovery strap underneath and around the tang on the hook,thus avoiding the use of shackles,I use a 6' tree strap between hooks,which also runs through the actual pulling strap.Its quick and safe,but real large straps can be difficult to connect due to lack of clearance.I still plan on extendimg my hooks though.A front hitch is another idea and then plug a recovery tow bar attachment into it ,or find a welding guy to fix it up with two hooks or shackle attachment points.Perhaps a visit to a good hitch shop might also give you some other ideas.Just remember the force to pull 4 tons from axle deep mud or hard packed snow are not the same,those hooks need to be solidly attached to the frame somehow.I am sure some guys have tested those hooks beyond 5500 lbs,without even realizing it and I have never heard of any failures.Good thing Dodge doesnt make army trucks!

 

it would be secured to the frame as far as the welding i have a bunch of buddies that weld on the pipeline so that wont be a huge issue. i will invesigate it some more tomorrow

 

i ripped out a 2' diameter stump out of the ground with my truck. These tow hooks are pretty beefy, but everything can always be upgraded.

 

Has anyone ever heard or seen these tow hooks break and if so what did it take?

 

Here is an option for that if you are interested. Tow hook extenders.

http://lazarsmith.com/KoolParts.html

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TexasCTD, man those extenders and EXACTLY what our trucks need from the factory!!!!

 

If the factory tow hooks are only rated at 5500 pounds how much do you think they'll be good for with those big 5" - 10" extensions factored in? That's a lot of extra leverage on anything except a 100% straight on pull.

I don't know why people want them sticking out so much...

 

Exactly,those lazersmith are too much extension,they really only need to be about another 1.5" forward,just a little more clearance for a strap,SLTs seem a bit better than the Laramie.

 

Don't weld on your tow hooks, welding hooks create weak/brittle spots that can break. I will not hook a strap to anyone that has a welded on tow hook. One of the many jeep clubs I belong to won't even let a jeep on a gruided trail run if it has welded hooks the guy has remove them and bolt on some new ones before he can get "trail certified"...

Not bashing your idea, just don't want to see you or anyone get hurt from a fractured hook. Just do some research on it and maybe try to figure out a way to bolt them on instead...