Where should I hook a tow strap?

[nmessina]

did you ever find a solution to this? I got my BB stuck a few weeks ago in the sand, and the manual says it has the hooks if equipped, which mine didn't. We had to use boards to get it out since I could not find anywhere to hook up to, not even underneath..

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[Digitalexcess]

I was looking at the bottom/front of my OB when it was on the alignment rack and couldn't find anything to attach to for towing from the front. Any spot available would tear off the body components if given a proper tug.

From photos of the plastic bumper/façade removed, I saw the 2 holes in the steel bumper on each side for the tow hooks to attach to, but what a job to get to!

When I bought the OB, I thought it would be easy to add features, like towing and hooks. Wrong. Big disappointment.

Just don't get stuck in the Base, BB, or OB editions.

 

[Mark S.]

did you ever find a solution to this? I got my BB stuck a few weeks ago in the sand, and the manual says it has the hooks if equipped, which mine didn't. We had to use boards to get it out since I could not find anywhere to hook up to, not even underneath..

I've been watching a YouTube channel called Matt's Offroad Recovery. He specializes in getting people unstuck, and many of the vehicles he works with are not equipped with recovery hooks. He often crawls underneath and uses soft shackles around the lower control arms (yellow arrow in the photo below). He usually attaches them nearer the frame rather than the wheel hub.

Matt sometimes answers questions from viewers in his videos, and one of them was a question about the durability of lower control arms as a recovery point. He claims you can hang a vehicle from the control arms without fear of damaging anything.

Use this information at your own discretion.

 

[Mark S.]

Found the video (starts where he talks about attach points):



On the other hand, I found this that says DO NOT use the control arm if it's made out of aluminum. So I guess you're back where you started...

 

[69cuda340s]

I was looking at the bottom/front of my OB when it was on the alignment rack and couldn't find anything to attach to for towing from the front. Any spot available would tear off the body components if given a proper tug.

From photos of the plastic bumper/façade removed, I saw the 2 holes in the steel bumper on each side for the tow hooks to attach to, but what a job to get to!

When I bought the OB, I thought it would be easy to add features, like towing and hooks. Wrong. Big disappointment.

Just don't get stuck in the Base, BB, or OB editions.

The lower trims are missing the steel brackets welded to the frame that the Badlands tow hooks mount to. So functional Badlands tow hooks cant be added unless a frame bracket is custom fabricated.

 

[compass crusher]

Here's possibly a solution.

A nudge bar install can be a tow point since it's bolted to the frame .

Just a thought

 

[Chiefthepup]

Here's possibly a solution.

A nudge bar install can be a tow point since it's bolted to the frame .

Just a thought

I’m a bit late. But this is my exact situation haha I installed this exact nudge bar. I’ve been scouring the internet wondering if there’s a way to add tow hooks to the nudge bar bracket. I can’t find anything and the bracket bolted to the frame only comes out from the bumper an inch or two so I don’t see where a recovery point is unless you connect to the actual nudge bar which I do not trust even a little haha.

 

[Wolf256]

Putting this here for those that don’t have a tow package. The picture is where the recovery tow point is (Red Circle) on the rear of the sport. The first link takes you to an Amazon page with a great price for a Recovery Tow Eye. The second link is for what is stated as OEM Recovery Tow Eye. They have the same part number, but they do look a bit different and it’s hard to tell metal quality when it’s in your hand. So, you’ll have to make your choice based on pictures. Amazon may tell you it won’t fit the BS, but it does. It is the Ford part number that is recommended. Other info you might want: the Recovery Eye is reverse threaded, so left/loose right/tight does not apply.

https://a.co/d/evOk6M3

https://a.co/d/bvwOYuH

 

[Bucko]

Should I ever need a tow, I will call the towing service that Ford dispatches and drops off at the Ford dealership. This way, if any damage is done during the tow, either Ford or the towing service is liable.

 

[compass crusher]

Should I ever need a tow, I will call the towing service that Ford dispatches and drops off at the Ford dealership. This way, if any damage is done during the tow, either Ford or the towing service is liable.

Next time I'm up Black Bear Pass and I'm in need of recovery, I'll be sure to contact my local dealer to help .

 

[compass crusher]

Putting this here for those that don’t have a tow package. The picture is where the recovery tow point is (Red Circle) on the rear of the sport. The first link takes you to an Amazon page with a great price for a Recovery Tow Eye. The second link is for what is stated as OEM Recovery Tow Eye. They have the same part number, but they do look a bit different and it’s hard to tell metal quality when it’s in your hand. So, you’ll have to make your choice based on pictures. Amazon may tell you it won’t fit the BS, but it does. It is the Ford part number that is recommended. Other info you might want: the Recovery Eye is reverse threaded, so left/loose right/tight does not apply.

https://a.co/d/evOk6M3

https://a.co/d/bvwOYuH

It certain situations (especially getting over a obstacles) the tow point in front might be more accurate for a situation your trying to get past.....

 

[Mark S.]

I’m a bit late. But this is my exact situation haha I installed this exact nudge bar. I’ve been scouring the internet wondering if there’s a way to add tow hooks to the nudge bar bracket. I can’t find anything and the bracket bolted to the frame only comes out from the bumper an inch or two so I don’t see where a recovery point is unless you connect to the actual nudge bar which I do not trust even a little haha.

I do not believe the bracketry depicted in this installation document will support recovery/towing operations. The photo at this link shows how the factory tow hooks on the Badlands attach to the unibody. Note the reinforcement brackets and how they are welded to the unibody. If your bull bar doesn't include this level of structural attachment to the vehicle's unibody then I would not use it for recovery/towing ops.

 

[Chiefthepup]

I do not believe the bracketry depicted in this installation document will support recovery/towing operations. The photo at this link shows how the factory tow hooks on the Badlands attach to the unibody. Note the reinforcement brackets and how they are welded to the unibody. If your bull bar doesn't include this level of structural attachment to the vehicle's unibody then I would not use it for recovery/towing ops.

This is why we need you around here haha all jokes aside I truly value your input on this forum and take your advice seriously so yep, not using those as recovery points thanks!!

 

[Barry S.]

Putting this here for those that don’t have a tow package. The picture is where the recovery tow point is (Red Circle) on the rear of the sport. The first link takes you to an Amazon page with a great price for a Recovery Tow Eye. The second link is for what is stated as OEM Recovery Tow Eye. They have the same part number, but they do look a bit different and it’s hard to tell metal quality when it’s in your hand. So, you’ll have to make your choice based on pictures. Amazon may tell you it won’t fit the BS, but it does. It is the Ford part number that is recommended. Other info you might want: the Recovery Eye is reverse threaded, so left/loose right/tight does not apply.

https://a.co/d/evOk6M3

https://a.co/d/bvwOYuH

I got my tow hook from my Ford dealership using Ford points. Just be aware that, for whatever reason, it screws in counterclockwise.

 

[Mark S.]

I got my tow hook from my Ford dealership using Ford points. Just be aware that, for whatever reason, it screws in counterclockwise.

They don't want you using it for anything else.

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