Experiences with aftermarket tow hooks
 

Hi, I've been tracking my BRZ a few times at HPDE events. Every time I put the stock tow hook on the car, sometimes front, sometimes back. I am worried though that I only have one end covered in case I taste the kitty litter. So I'm wondering, what tow hooks or straps do people use? I want to make sure that whatever I get is honestly strong enough to tow the car with (I've read people guessing that some aftermarket tow hooks aren't strong enough to be functional). I'm not sure that looks matter too much so long as it is good and visible to the tow truck driver on a hot course (doesn't take that long to put in and take off) though I wouldn't mind not having to deal with them every time.

From what I have found, my options are:
1. Get some more OEM hooks and rattle can then red
2. Tow straps that I hide with the plastic covers when not at the track
3. RaceEng ones
4. Cusco ones
5. Godspeed ones
6. ? Something else ?

Anyway, I'd appreciate people sharing their wisdom on this topic, like so many things it is quite confusing. Also, cost isn't the biggest thing (I'm putting plenty of money into this sport already) though I certainly don't mind saving a few dollars.

Thanks

Thought about making a nice one...if there is interest...it can happen...

I have the @Raceseng Tug View mounts, simply because I wanted the ability to have tow with a GoPro mount.

The shaft also allows the Universal Plate Mount to be used on the car, so I can swap easily on the front end between my license plate mount, and the tow mount to/from the track.

Same setup on rear, this way I have both ends covered.

Tug View review: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53205
UPM review: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53203

-alex

I have the Cusco tow hooks and they are QUITE substatial. I think they would get the job done no matter what.

Thank you for your response. Those Raceseng setups look pretty nice. Is the license plate holder hard to get on and off? I have the grimmspeed one on my car now and it is a PITA to take on and off (have to remove the plate and then unbolt the center shaft to get it off).

Additionally, is the color of the Raceseng tow hooks as fluorescent as the pictures show? The candy color of the photos on their page makes me fearful that they are as much bling as function.

Nothing wrong with more variety of parts. That said though I am pretty sure I will have bought all of what I need before any plausible turn around time for a new product, so I would be unlikely to buy :(

Thank you, that is very useful information for if I go with them. One question though, I see that raceseng makes a point that their tow hooks click into a 90 degree position. Does the cusco one have anything like that (either through friction or a setup like the raceseng one)? I'd like to avoid marring my bumper if I could (though I don't even know if that is an actual issue).

Anybody know how well the car's anchor points hold up to being towed uphill onto a roll back tow truck? I've had cars where the tow hook pulls right out of the OEM anchor point, and the car has to be pushed by hand onto the tow truck bed.

You need to secure those cars better than just pulling on the OEM anchor. All four wheels or at least all four corners need to be secured to the trailer bed properly.

I think they were asking if the OEM tow anchor was strong enough to handle having the car pulled up onto the trailer bed. Cant really tie the wheels down, or even the corners, while the car is on the ground.

The fastener section is strong enough for that. If the material for the tow hook sucks, then the tow hook will fail. :)

Those Godspeed hooks were $50-60 MSRP wen I checked months ago. Now they are $80... sheesh. supply and demand I guess.

Correct.

The tow hooks have always been fine; the cars...well, not always. I like it when the lead tow guy says "*@_&(!^ - that happens with every one of these cars!"; meanwhile, the session is blown, you're that guy, and we're about to start eating into the next session.

Once you set up the base shaft's "anchor" point (where the outside piece threads to), to swap between the Tug View & the UPM takes me about 60 seconds.

As for the color, it's prettier when new. Once you've used it for a while, it is less pretty. But the red tow hook ring looks darker in person.

The above pictures in my review threads were all taken with an external flash, so the colors are saturated and overexposed.

-alex

Would you buy it again or stick with stock?
Seems expensive for what it is.

Seems expensive, yes, but this is the only tow hook on the market that incorporates GoPro mount and a license plate relocation mount in one design. Granted, you have to buy 2 different parts to make it work, but compared to the Grimspeed mount (which I previously owned) the Raceseng part was so much easier to install and remove.

If I was only using the tow hook for towing, I'd go with stock since the cost is zero.

-alex

So I ended up ordering the RacesEng one with a GoPro mount for the front. I still will probably end up getting another tow hook of some sort for the second rear mount but that is a lower priority. In the end the better license plate mount compared to the grimmspeed one I have now made my mind up. Thanks for the advice, especially mav1178.

Am I the only one who finds mounting a GoPro at the front bumper useless? It helps show your driving line somewhat, but you can't see what your hands and head are doing.

All about dat perspective and camera angle. How else can you get an Oscar nomination? :bonk:

My best result has been from the roof of the car. I used to do front bumper but it really tells you alot less about your line. I just got the gopro mounting one because, well, why not? Maybe I will use it someday when doing multiple cameras or something. It adds some cost but it is on top of an already very expensive (for what it is) part. I really choose it for the easy change of the license plate holder.

Anyone know of any tow hooks that have a longer shank on them? Need one for my rear. It has to pass over the RB diffuser - I will be drilling a hole through the diffuser.

I bought mine from godspeed for 8$ off of their facebook group buy. Not a typo 8$

If someone wants to make ones like this for FRS/BRZ, I will absolutely buy two. MUST BE FUNCTIONAL, not for show.

https://www.machtschnell.com/categories/tow-straps

I'd advise against that because you end up with a huge bending moment. Just begging for trouble.

Stock tow hook has a long shank(relatively speaking). I only need another 20-30mm extra length to clear my RB diffuser

Gotcha. Stock one is pretty long.

Just use a racequip strap instead.

OEM towhook. Free, and it takes 15 seconds to put in. If i had a dedicated racecar, i'd probably put straps on it. Tow hooks are not for the street.

Go buy a 2nd OEM one? :iono:

Another guy from this forum was kind enough to give me his OEM tow hook. Now I have two. I'm guessing you could find some OEM hooks for free, too. Just ask around.

I have a hook from some Chinese brand I paid $15 for.for my s2k And it works (had to use it once at track). The ones they offer for the frs is the same. It looks same and is like $80. Price gouge I tell you.

I want to buy an expensive RaceEng tow hook for $175. My biggest concern is that someone might steal it and my $175 just evaporates before my eyes. Is this a real concern?

I remember my early days of going to car shows where poor high school students would steal shift knobs out of peoples cars. I always keep my windows up for that reason.

It could happen but I doubt it would happen on a track day or autox day. I would say to not let those worries get to you.

i never understood the desire for expensive aftermarket tow hooks.

i can have the same bling with a rattle can and the oem hook, but then having the tow hook installed all the time means to be prepared to be towed because the car would be unreliable...

Walk into an oem tow hook at oh dark thirty before a track event and you'll understand exactly why people look for alternatives to the oem hook.

Finding out what you need is easy.

Look at your series technical regulations.

Should go something like this >

17. Towing Eyes (except for Tour)
To facilitate the recovery of a vehicle, towing eyes shall be fitted front and rear complying with the following:
I. Internal diameter of at least 40mm;
II. Fitted forward of the front axle and rearwards of the rear axle;
III. Clearly visible in yellow, orange or red, the chosen colour being in contrast to the bodywork;
IV. Tow hooks provided by the manufacturer of the car as a standard fitment may be used.

So, if it's a track car, bolt on whatever

If it's a street car, there is one in the boot to put on if you need too.

Or, if your all F&F, do whatever floats your boat in the knowledge that every track car is laughing at your "trying too hard" street car