Tow-bar Connection Points

[Bronccat]

Had anyone been able to get confirmation from Ford or RC that these are suitable for connecting a tow-bar?

I have tried with both to no avail. I just hate to buy base plates if these will work. I know some are using these - but didn't know if they got confirmation, or just took a leap of faith.

TIA

Ford Tow Hooks

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[RagnarKon]

Can't say anything official on the topic... but I will say my neighbor has always used the Ford tow hooks for flat towing and has never ran into issues. That is also the same mounting point that Ford uses for the Everglades/Ford Performance winch... so if that's not suitable for towing I'm not sure what would be.

I know nothing about the Rough Country kit.

 

[Bronccat]

Can't say anything official on the topic... but I will say my neighbor has always used the Ford tow hooks for flat towing and has never ran into issues. That is also the same mounting point that Ford uses for the Everglades/Ford Performance winch... so if that's not suitable for towing I'm not sure what would be.

I know nothing about the Rough Country kit.

Thanks man. I feel the same, but still hopefully for "official" confirmation.

A youtuber (you know the type ) told me that RC had confirmed using the RC for flat towing - but I was on chat with RC and they said no.

 

[RagnarKon]

Thanks man. I feel the same, but still hopefully for "official" confirmation.

A youtuber (you know the type ) told me that RC had confirmed using the RC for flat towing - but I was on chat with RC and they said no.

Heh... yeah. Watched a YouTube video the other day that was towing 4700 lbs on their Bronco, and they said it was confirmed safe to tow that much weight. Yeah... sure... whatever ya' say.

Anyway, those front recovery points are the official tow points—say as much in the Bronco manual. It just doesn't say that is the preferred spot for recreational flat towing.

May be worth it to ask your dealer if you are concerned about it.

 

[Cobrafang]

I think the problem with getting an official answer is liability. No one wants to have record of saying it will work when something goes wrong. I have same issue with DV8 front bumper.

You can sure as heck pull your rig out of a mud hole but NO we are not saying you can use that shackle point as a flat tow.

 

[Bronccat]

I think the problem with getting an official answer is liability. No one wants to have record of saying it will work when something goes wrong. I have same issue with DV8 front bumper.

You can sure as heck pull your rig out of a mud hole but NO we are not saying you can use that shackle point as a flat tow.

Oh you know that's the case. Meanwhile the actual base plates are fragile in appearance by comparison...

 

[Mosnowman]

I just had a Blue Ox towing system installed. I wanted to go without the base plate as well, but of course Blue Ox stated it puts less strain on your frame using the base plate? Obviously they make money selling the base plate, but after similar experience as the OP with no definitive answers, I decided to go with removing the tow hooks and installing the base plate. Now I need ideas how to improve the appearance of the Blue Ox attachment points???? Any ideas, or am I stuck with it sticking out?

 

[tfrazier]

I just had a Blue Ox towing system installed. I wanted to go without the base plate as well, but of course Blue Ox stated it puts less strain on your frame using the base plate? Obviously they make money selling the base plate, but after similar experience as the OP with no definitive answers, I decided to go with removing the tow hooks and installing the base plate. Now I need ideas how to improve the appearance of the Blue Ox attachment points???? Any ideas, or am I stuck with it sticking out?

I have the Blue Ox set up as well. L as of trying to make it look better and met out of the need to protect my shins, I came up with using silicone handle covers. Got mine fro Lodge
https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/silicone-handle-holder?sku=ASHH41

they have multiple colors but I went with orange. It’s the BL trim color and it stands out. I simply cut them down to length and added a drain hole on the front bottom edge.

 

[Bill K]

I specifically read on P 322 of the owner's manual that Ford does not recommend those points for flat towing (sorry about the double copy).

When I installed the Blue Ox tow adapters, they insert into the frame and have a pretty large bolt that acts as a sheer pin. In addition, there are safety cables to the adapters as a back-up.

When I modified the plates that the stock recovery hook points attach to, the bolts used and attachment mechanism seemed much less capable than the Blue Ox adapter mechanism. Suspect this is why Ford makes this comment despite the fact that others are using those points to flat tow...

 

[Bill K]

I have the Blue Ox set up as well. L as of trying to make it look better and met out of the need to protect my shins, I came up with using silicone handle covers. Got mine fro Lodge
https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/silicone-handle-holder?sku=ASHH41

they have multiple colors but I went with orange. It’s the BL trim color and it stands out. I simply cut them down to length and added a drain hole on the front bottom edge.

I see some yellow ones in my future...

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