front tow hooks

smufguy · Aug 7, 2018

Wait a second here. That is a tow hook???? No way, it is not even a closed loop. What happens when the recovery end's hook is latched onto this hook and either the G2 moves or the recovery vehicle shifts?
This 'recovery hook' seriously looks like a joke. :surprise:

The instructions on the owner's manual says to call a recovery professional and they know what to do and how to tow it on a flat bed. Mind you, I did not see an illustration as to where the hook is. in the owner's manual of the G1, you can clearly see where the hook is and how to get a recovery hook on it.

DogOnBoard · Aug 7, 2018

^^^Welcome to the club of skeptics about usable front tow hooks on the G2 RL.

stevem5215 · Aug 7, 2018

Ha! This truck would never have to be towed out of mud, sand, snow! It's got those modes on the AWD function! Like magic it'll get itself unstuck lol.

Steve

DogOnBoard · Aug 7, 2018

smufguy said:
...The instructions on the owner's manual says to call a recovery professional and they know what to do and how to tow it on a flat bed...

LOL. The owners manual would have us believe that every tow truck operator out there is an expert on Honda undercarriage and drive train construction and will know exactly where to attach any load-bearing straps needed to recover the truck without causing any damage. Most operators could probably handle the task but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. In those rare instances when you need a tow, you usually don't get to "vet" the operator before engaging their services.

longboat · Aug 9, 2018

I would thoroughly check out the subframe of the truck and determine if you could attach an aftermarket strap, such as this:

https://www.amazon.com/Sparco-01612...3YA/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1533837865&sr=1-1&keywords=sparco+strap

Install a couple so you can distribute the load with a yoke-style towing setup.

Or maybe there are some holes in the subframe that are large enough to feed a tow strap through? Like the holes they use to secure the Ridgeline to the transport truck?

Has anybody thoroughly checked the front end for a receiver hole for an attachment like this?:

https://www.amazon.com/Dewhel-BILLE...B00LMDBXGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533837721&sr=8-1&keywords=dewhel+1.88+billet

It is probably only available on vehicles designed IN JAPAN...:crying:

Maybe @JasonB. could engineer a practical recovery hook solution (one that doesn't forsake ground clearance)?

On a side note, i wonder if those SuperZ tire chains would help you out if you were just stuck in a low-traction situation? And/or letting some air out of the tires.... I've used wet beach towels before in a low-traction situation (not with a Ridgeline).

smufguy · Aug 9, 2018

@longboat, There is none on the Pilot, Ridgeline, MDX, Odyssey, etc.

Most of the Eurpean cars & SUVs have them. Heck the Acura Sedans have them. but not the Honda sedans.

longboat · Aug 10, 2018

smufguy said:
@longboat, There is none on the Pilot, Ridgeline, MDX, Odyssey, etc.

Most of the Eurpean cars & SUVs have them. Heck the Acura Sedans have them. but not the Honda sedans.

I wonder if it's a question of vehicle size, or even towing ability. When you consider GVWR and/or GCWR, it may be that vehicles like the Ridgeline are just too heavy for a small screw-in recovery loop, from an aesthetics/liability standpoint.

An integrated thru-the-bumper 2" receiver would have eliminated this discussion and provided a number of other benefits.

longboat · Aug 11, 2018

In the spirit of getting things un-stuck, thought I'd post this timely article on the flipflop winch. I'd seen it (the winch) before, a few years back, on a utube series from username WranglerStar, or something like that, a self-documentation of a young couple pioneering it up in the Montana woods, IIRC.

https://jalopnik.com/watch-how-you-can-tow-your-car-out-of-a-jam-with-only-t-1828248041

efeinblatt · Oct 19, 2018

I'm resurrecting this thread because winter snow is on the way, and this has been a concern of mine. Like @DogOnBoard; noted, even the most cautious and experienced driver can end up in a ditch - my Rubicon had to be pulled out of a ditch alongside our driveway last year because it just couldn't handle the ice on the long steep descent. (Luckily I live next to a farmer with tractors and experience pulling people out of ditches.)

In any case, has anyone moved further along in their investigation of proper tow points on the front of the vehicle other than the installed recovery hook? Would it make sense to take the vehicle to a tow shop or a dealership and ask them where they'd hook their equipment? Has anyone done this?

I'd be willing to have hooks welded to a proper place on the underside of the vehicle if necessary.

Thoughts from @smufguy, @longboat, @Cochise111, @yivey et al?

And regarding the rear of the vehicle .... does the trailer hitch provide enough support for a snatch strap?

efeinblatt · Oct 21, 2018

OK, here is a thought. Please chime in to let me know if it makes sense.

There is a front end receiver hitch available for the RL - mentioned earlier in the thread - that bolts into existing holes on the underside of the vehicle (longer bolts are required and supplied by manufacturer). https://www.etrailer.com/Front-Hitch/Honda/Ridgeline/2018/65073.html?vehicleID=201849819

The receiver hitch clearly reduces ground clearance, so it's not a solution for me. HOWEVER, wouldn't it be possible to bolt on 2 of the aftermarket recovery loops - 1 on each side - where the receiver hitch gets fitted? Would this be the proper place on the substructure to put the straps or hooks linked to earlier in the thread?

Farther · Oct 21, 2018

efeinblatt said:
There is a front end receiver hitch available for the RL - mentioned earlier in the thread - that bolts into existing holes on the underside of the vehicle (longer bolts are required and supplied by manufacturer). https://www.etrailer.com/Front-Hitch/Honda/Ridgeline/2018/65073.html?vehicleID=201849819

Add one of these to the front and rear receiver hitches and you are good to go. https://smile.amazon.com/Shackle-Re.../ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1540141744&sr=8-10&keywords=receiver+hitch+accessories

DogOnBoard · Oct 21, 2018

I can't see how you could add any of these options to the front of a RL without losing precious ground clearance and reducing your approach angle. Maybe someone who owns a G2 can figure out how flat aftermarket hooks could be attached to the mounting points that an aftermarket front hitch receiver would supposedly use. Better yet, Honda could provide us with bumper-integrated front tow hooks on the refreshed 2020 RL as part of the tougher-looking front clip! LOL!!!

efeinblatt · Oct 21, 2018

DogOnBoard said:
Maybe someone who owns a G2 can figure out how flat aftermarket hooks could be attached to the mounting points that an aftermarket front hitch receiver would supposedly use.

I think this is definitely the best route to take. When I get new tires/wheels and a lift in the next week or two, I'll ask the shop that does the work to take a look at those fixture points.

longboat · Oct 22, 2018

DogOnBoard said:
I can't see how you could add any of these options to the front of a RL without losing precious ground clearance and reducing your approach angle. Maybe someone who owns a G2 can figure out how flat aftermarket hooks could be attached to the mounting points that an aftermarket front hitch receiver would supposedly use. Better yet, Honda could provide us with bumper-integrated front tow hooks on the refreshed 2020 RL as part of the tougher-looking front clip! LOL!!!

A good metalworker could quickly and easily fab up something like that. Maybe Jason B. could have some made up, keeping in mind that ground clearance is a precious commodity for many of us, especially those of us who would most likely require the recovery points.

Properly engineered, the two hooks (or rather the arms of the hooks) should attach to each other such that the load can be spread to multiple points. Often, you may have access to only one hook.

efeinblatt · Oct 22, 2018

The one problem I foresee, once we've identified the proper place to attach the the hooks, is that those points could very well be covered by a skid plate, and we'd have to choose one or the other. Not a good choice.

DogOnBoard · Oct 23, 2018

Might be possible to cut a hole in the skidplate to access a mounting point or accommodate a tow hook. Maybe Burtman could even offer a combo skidplate and tow hook accessory for the G2. Bet there'd be plenty of takers.

yivey · Feb 3, 2019

After looking at the Curt pictures of their front tow hitch the unit bolts to the frame but it is offset. Maybe I’m just lazy but now thinking of just cutting the middle out of the receiver and bolting the two outside pieces that still have the safety rings attached. This seems to be a simple solution with strong mounting points. Yes I realize it’s expensive but I don’t need a front receiver nor want reduced approach angle.

Farther · Feb 3, 2019

yivey said:
Yes I realize it’s expensive but I don’t need a front receiver nor want reduced approach angle.

I would think that having the two hooks connected adds considerable strength to the setup. Perhaps contact Reese, Drawtite or other manufacturers that offer a Ridgeline front hitch and see if they can make a unit without the receiver portion. Alternatively, you could do a group buy to entice a manufacturer to do it. I think the hard work has already been done by the manufactures when they developed the hitch. Given enough interest, eTrailer.com might approach a manufacturer for a run. Just a thought.

YetiXing · Feb 27, 2020

Any updates on the front tow hook discussion.

Captainstump · Feb 27, 2020

yivey said:
After looking at the Curt pictures of their front tow hitch the unit bolts to the frame but it is offset. Maybe I’m just lazy but now thinking of just cutting the middle out of the receiver and bolting the two outside pieces that still have the safety rings attached. This seems to be a simple solution with strong mounting points. Yes I realize it’s expensive but I don’t need a front receiver nor want reduced approach angle.

I thought the same thing was looking at the receiver hitch the other night. I'm thinking about using it to fab a light bar? IDK

front tow hooks

smufguy

DogOnBoard

stevem5215

DogOnBoard

longboat

smufguy

longboat

longboat

efeinblatt

efeinblatt

Farther

DogOnBoard

efeinblatt

longboat

efeinblatt

DogOnBoard

yivey

Farther

YetiXing

Captainstump

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