[northernlights]

Ya know, the more I think about the lack of front tow hooks on the G2 RL, the more I'm inclined to believe it's intentional. Honda doesn't really want RL owners to think of using their trucks to pull anything from the front, or to be pulled out of a stranded situation from the front by another vehicle for that matter. For safety reasons and to avoid damaging the front end components, they want owners to defer to professional towing operators for vehicle recovery. They've always been relatively clear that the RL was not designed for more than medium-duty off roading.

This is correct the tow truck operator could careless, its all about recovery and getting the vehicle out and to the shop if needed, your insurance takes care of the rest. I know a few long time tow truck operators that deal with small and big time stuff. As far as the Harbor Freight stuff, you get what you pay for IT MIGHT work one time. Think of the rest of the time life it sits around that has major effect on performance. Water, heat, storage, easy fraying, usage I could go on and on. My strap cost me almost 100 bucks for a 10,000lb, loops on both ends, 4 inches wide at 25 feet oh its yellow to.

 

[bigbluesd]

As far as the Harbor Freight stuff, you get what you pay for IT MIGHT work one time. Think of the rest of the time life it sits around that has major effect on performance. Water, heat, storage, easy fraying, usage I could go on and on. My strap cost me almost 100 bucks for a 10,000lb, loops on both ends, 4 inches wide at 25 feet oh its yellow to.

Doesn't that apply to your strap as well?

Anyways for most of us, we won't be using our straps like this guy
Also, I'm more likely to replace a worn $10 strap than a $100 strap. Anyways to each their own.

 

[irelandvegas65]

Having had time to read more on it and watch the videos, Firstly, I want to thank everyone for posting! Secondly, I have purchased a snatch Strap, a dedicated hitch/Ring shackle and another shackle for the other end. Everything is now snug in a zip tool bag in the trunk. I don't plan on towing and pulling others, but if need be, I can with relative safety.

 

[bigbluesd]

FYI for those learning via forums. HF uses the term recovery straps for the polyester straps they sell. I believe this is not the correct use of the term. tow vs recovery vs snatch straps. Tow straps are meant for pulling a vehicle that can freely roll (it is not caught in something, ie not stuck in mud). Recovery/snatch strap are meant for yanking vehicles stuck in mud, & etc. A good rule of thumb is to check the material used, tow - polyester (cheaper) vs recovery/snatch - nylon (expensive).

lastly and very important tip, if you plan on yanking - taking a running start, someone out. Make sure you are attached to recovery points and not tow points. Lots of youtube videos of ppl pulling off each other's bumpers, tow hook/loops, & even axles.I

And since it can be deadly, remember not to loop the recovery/snatch strap over a trailer hitch ball.

 

[CUinaRidge]

Ya know, the more I think about the lack of front tow hooks on the G2 RL, the more I'm inclined to believe it's intentional. Honda doesn't really want RL owners to think of using their trucks to pull anything from the front, or to be pulled out of a stranded situation from the front by another vehicle for that matter. For safety reasons and to avoid damaging the front end components, they want owners to defer to professional towing operators for vehicle recovery. They've always been relatively clear that the RL was not designed for more than medium-duty off roading.

That hook on my GenI saved me over a 1/2 hours drive when I was 2 minutes from home! Tree had fallen over the road, to turn around drive out and drive back in a different direction was over 25 miles. Hooked the tree up on one end pulled it parallel with the road, unhitched and I was home in 5 minutes. I have used the hook a few other times.. stumps come to mind..

 

[DogOnBoard]

^^^Not surprised to read about your experience. The front tow hooks on the G1 look sturdy enough to handle it. Wish Honda had given the G2 something similar instead of a single wimpy-looking recovery hook that's hard to reach.

 

[1bluefin]

Wish Honda had given the G2 something similar instead of a single wimpy-looking recovery hook that's hard to reach. Where is it located?

 

[McChizzle]

Wish Honda had given the G2 something similar instead of a single wimpy-looking recovery hook that's hard to reach. Where is it located?

The front recovery hook is on the driver's side just in-front of the suspension.

 

[1bluefin]

Thanks McChizzle, I appreciate the info and Pic's for the location of the front recovery hook.

 

[bigbluesd]

For comparison. BTW do all 1g have a rear hd hook? I must confess I've been looking under a lot of 1g trucks.

 

[McChizzle]

For comparison. BTW do all 1g have a rear hd hook? I must confess I've been looking under a lot of 1g trucks.

All Gen1s have front and rear recovery hooks. Your picture is of the front hook--of which there is only that one--and the rear recovery hook(s) varied based on model year. For the 2006-2008 model years, there was a dedicated recovery hook mounted to the left-rear of the frame (pictured below). For the 2009-2014 model years, the class III tow hitch--with its trailer safety chain hooks--were designed to double as recovery hooks (pictured below).

2006-0008:

2009-2014:

 

[bigbluesd]

@McChizzle is that change noted in the 2009-14 manual?

 

[McChizzle]

@McChizzle is that change noted in the 2009-14 manual?

Yes, pages 383-384 of the 2009 Owner's Manual discuss it.

 

[speedlever]

One thing I really like about the G1 tow hook is its strength.

"The tow hook is strong enough to support 2.5x the vehicle wt. This component was designed to function as an extraction device. The tow hooks are strong enough to tie a Ridgeline to the back of a Ridgeline and then pick up an F150 behind the 2nd Ridgeline. All three trucks can be suspended by a crane. "

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/242207-post10.html

 

[mcmanut01]

Yes, pages 383-384 of the 2009 Owner's Manual discuss it.

View attachment 385392

View attachment 385394

If anyone has any question whether these recovery points work on their vehicle, they work great. I unfortunately got my 2010 Ridgeline stuck in heavy wet mud last night. I used the front hook with a tow rope and attached it to rear tow hitch on my 2006 Pilot. Vehicle came right out.

 

[DogOnBoard]

I was mistaken and thought I had seen a picture showing the G1 with both left and right front tow hooks. Now I know better. Did you guys catch the picture of the modified Rebelle Ridgeline with elevated front recovery hooks in the adjacent thread? Honda should make these hooks available for off-pavement drivers, although I suspect the front bumper has to be removed to install them. The hooks would be very handy for tying down the front of a canoe or kayak carried on the roof.

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...16542-any-commercial-emergency-services-using-gen2-post3047072.html#post3047072

 

[McChizzle]

I was mistaken and thought I had seen a picture showing the G1 with both left and right front tow hooks. Now I know better. Did you guys catch the picture of the modified Rebelle Ridgeline with elevated front recovery hooks in the adjacent thread? Honda should make these hooks available for off-pavement drivers, although I suspect the front bumper has to be removed to install them.

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...16542-any-commercial-emergency-services-using-gen2-post3047072.html#post3047072

Yes, I posted the photo that got the conversation started. Here is a close-up:

 

[HyperPete]

Bowline is a good all-around knot

Any former Boy Scouts out there?

"Rabbit comes out of a rabbit hole, goes around the back of a tree, rabbit goes back into rabbit hole."
.

 

[Bill_R]

Any former Boy Scouts out there?

"Rabbit comes out of a rabbit hole, goes around the back of a tree, rabbit goes back into rabbit hole."
.

I remember that!