Bent Tow Hitch Eyelets

[Stuck CAPS]

I grabbed this picture from [MENTION=53161]2004Runner4x4[/MENTION]'s build thread. (You're not that active anymore, but I hope you don't mind!):

Basically, the red circles are highlighting what I'm talking about. I, honestly, can't, for the life of me, think of the proper name for them. That's not the point, though (unless you can tell me the name!), so I digress.

Those eyelets on my tow hitch are bent to hell from pulling out a buddy's stuck bronco from a pond. (Lol, he was talking to the others about how much my 4Runner sucks because it's a 2WD TOYOTA. I ended up saving the day after he almost flooded the engine bay, and then got super stuck after he got out of that mess.) Anyway, I guess I had a recovery strap hooked on there (in retrospect, dumb.) and hooked somewhere on him. Made him climb in that snake-infested mudhole-pond combo and hook it up himself. Anyway, I tried pulling him out, started spinning the wheels, slowed, backed up, and tried again. This time, though, it was a harder pull. More of a snap. He came right out. I came out to those bent, though. I just would like to know a smarter recov. point in the rear, and if in an emergency, could I use them again if I get a rubber mallet and straighten 'em out?

 

[zopperman]

get a proper D ring with receiver

Amazon.com: Smittybilt 29312B Receiver Hitch D-Ring with 3/4-Inch Shackle for 2-Inch Receivers: Automotive

or, worst case, stick the tow strap in the 2" hitch hole and stick a hitch pin through it.

Those holes you used are for trailer safety chains.

 

[RobSinclair]

Also, if you look at the picture you posted, right below the bumper where the black portion stops on the drivers side you can see the factory recovery point. It is plenty strong. I've pulled out 10 000lb vehicles with it. There are matching holes in the frame on the passenger side for a second one if you want to install it.

 

[KidVermicious]

get a proper D ring with receiver

Amazon.com: Smittybilt 29312B Receiver Hitch D-Ring with 3/4-Inch Shackle for 2-Inch Receivers: Automotive

or, worst case, stick the tow strap in the 2" hitch hole and stick a hitch pin through it.

Those holes you used are for trailer safety chains.

This. The safety pin isn't ideal, but I've done it. Make sure your loop is as wide as possible, because the pin isn't designed to take all that force focused on a point. But way better to have a reciever shackle setup, they're cheap.

Also, you didn't say, but are you guys rocking proper snatch straps or cheapo tow straps? If you're going to be recovering eachother from mudholes, you want a real kinetic recovery strap.

Also, hate to break it to you, but your 2wd Toyota DOES suck :moon:.

Also, mud is retarded. I know your state would give Claire Danes a run for her money, but don't you have anything resembling a rocky trail anywhere? Mud is filthy and will break your junk. Leave the mud for the retards driving overbuilt Chevys.

 

[Carl Fisher]

Also, if you look at the picture you posted, right below the bumper where the black portion stops on the drivers side you can see the factory recovery point. It is plenty strong. I've pulled out 10 000lb vehicles with it. There are matching holes in the frame on the passenger side for a second one if you want to install it.

I was wondering what that was when I was under the truck yesterday.

Good to know :thumb:

 

[olsen_karl]

If that the factory light-duty hitch, I have one for sale if you want to replace it. It's hard to see from the photo if that's the one that just bolts to the rear crossmember, or if it's the one that extends down the frame rails.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

Also, if you look at the picture you posted, right below the bumper where the black portion stops on the drivers side you can see the factory recovery point. It is plenty strong. I've pulled out 10 000lb vehicles with it. There are matching holes in the frame on the passenger side for a second one if you want to install it.

I was wondering that, so it is safe? Thanks.

This. The safety pin isn't ideal, but I've done it. Make sure your loop is as wide as possible, because the pin isn't designed to take all that force focused on a point. But way better to have a reciever shackle setup, they're cheap.

Also, you didn't say, but are you guys rocking proper snatch straps or cheapo tow straps? If you're going to be recovering eachother from mudholes, you want a real kinetic recovery strap.

Also, hate to break it to you, but your 2wd Toyota DOES suck :moon:.

Also, mud is retarded. I know your state would give Claire Danes a run for her money, but don't you have anything resembling a rocky trail anywhere? Mud is filthy and will break your junk. Leave the mud for the retards driving overbuilt Chevys.

2WD yota is better than quite a bit. But admittedly its terrible compared to a lot, too. Thats why im spending a few grand to convert lol. Rocky trails at this point is kind of hard. Im running a 2wd without lift (installed, have it, havent gotten around to it lol) and living in STL in high school, "good trails" are a ways away which is a lot of gas to, at this point, rip my half drive train our from under the truck before I want to lol.

 

[Kmvreter]

I was wondering that, so it is safe?...

Yes. The recovery point is safer than the trailer chain holes you used.

The safest would be to use a D-ring in the receiver with the correct type of strap, as mentioned.

 

[eddiebx]

Not sure if a rubber mallet is going to be strong enough to straighten them out, I would probably try a block of wood and a 2-3lb mini sledge hammer. After you fix it, don't use it again for any significant pulling...they are emergency loops for connecting safety chains to it when towing, not recovery loops

 

[2004Runner4x4]

I've never been mentioned before! Thank you for that. And I'm an active user, just stay in the shadows, lurking and waiting.

If a rubber mallet was strong enough to straighten them out, that should be a clear indicator that they aren't meant to pull someone out. Just get something beefier. But, if you do find yourself in that situation again, just use the factory recovery point, like RobSinclair mentioned.

 

[Carl Fisher]

This also explains why mine is bent. I had a commercial wrecker haul me out of a ditch in the mountains this past winter (wish I had a winch). He hooked up to safety chain loop and yanked the truck out by it. I really didn't notice it bent until the last time I towed and hooked up the chains.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

Eyelets are still bent, thinking ill pull the 1/3 rear bumper I have on and sledge em back then. And [MENTION=53161]2004Runner4x4[/MENTION] have another! You're welcome for the mention lol, I do really like your build, and remember that pic from your build, so I went that way to grab it.

 

[Sungod]

This. The safety pin isn't ideal, but I've done it. Make sure your loop is as wide as possible, because the pin isn't designed to take all that force focused on a point. But way better to have a reciever shackle setup, they're cheap.
QUOTE]

How would a receiver shackle set up be better than just using the pin? The receiver places the same force on the pin as the strap.

 

[KidVermicious]

It might be the same force, but it isn't applied the same way. The inner hitch steel of the receiver shackle focuses the force at two spots on the pin, both of which are immediately next to (and supported by) the outer hitch steel of the receiver itself. Using just the strap looped around the pin focuses that force at one point, the middle of the pin, which isn't supported. Makes it more likely to bend or break.

 

[Sungod]

It might be the same force, but it isn't applied the same way. The inner hitch steel of the receiver shackle focuses the force at two spots on the pin, both of which are immediately next to (and supported by) the outer hitch steel of the receiver itself. Using just the strap looped around the pin focuses that force at one point, the middle of the pin, which isn't supported. Makes it more likely to bend or break.

I disagree. Using the strap places the same force and probably places it more evenly across the pin as opposed to the hitch which places it at two points in a shearing action.

I am not saying it is better, but it isn't exactly more dangerous. If you are yanking hard enough to destroy a pin, it will be destroyed no matter how you do it.

 

[NJshadow93]

I disagree. Using the strap places the same force and probably places it more evenly across the pin as opposed to the hitch which places it at two points in a shearing action.

I am not saying it is better, but it isn't exactly more dangerous. If you are yanking hard enough to destroy a pin, it will be destroyed no matter how you do it.

I'm not really sure you understand how the D ring hitch mount works. The pin goes through a solid metal block, not hallow, so it doesn't just touch the two sides, it touches the whole thing.

 

[zopperman]

can we let this thread die now, OP got his answer :juggle: