Track Tow Hook R&D Thoughts and Comments (Pictures)

[mrlewistan]

1/4" ring for $.99? what application is that one for?

[NON-VTEC]

Originally Posted by Xanatos

Two problems I see with this:

Figure 1. The center bore seems like its too big for the outer diameter of that tow rod. The slivers on the side definitely wont hold as much weight as the shackle.

Figure 2. Not sure if both sides of the shackle are threaded but for sure after using the tow hook the middle threads on that screw will be gone. Thats why bolts are not threaded in that area in pin shackles like the picture you posted above. It will also cause premature wear on the inside of the tow rod.

Just a personal preference I would go with the solid piece on the right

This piece is a prototype, we will be using different button head bolts without threads all the way up in later designs. I understand what you are thinking about the tow rod, we will do some testing and get back to you. remember, the direction of the stress is straight out and it would have to strech the steel rod. In later designs we may use a 1" diameter rod instead of this one which is 3/4" thank you for your thoughts

[chenshuo]

do people actually use those? or is it just another rice thing that some people do?

[pheoxs]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

do people actually use those? or is it just another rice thing that some people do?

It'd mostly be meant for being towed on a track if you crash / get stuck / etc.

...

That being said mostly they will end up being used on street cars for looks. They would be handy in winter though and makes me contemplate getting one in case I ever hit the ditch

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

do people actually use those? or is it just another rice thing that some people do?

99% of the time you see these on cars they don't track ever.

But if you do track, some places require you to have one. (Don't think any do in the US though...?)

[NON-VTEC]

updated with painted pictures, no tests run yet.

[Walldodger]

Originally Posted by campy

Yup... that's a tow hook all right...

Sorry but I don't really know what opinions you expect us to have. People who buy tow hooks do so because they need them (or they're mad JDM honda drivers). So as long as you can drag the car out of the sand pits with it, then it's fine.

And is it just me or does it look a bit small compared to most other hooks?

You don't know if you don't ask.

Originally Posted by NON-VTEC

The estimated strength rating for the D-ring itself is 2'000lbs. The tensile and shear strength of the bolts is substantially higher than that. We will also be doing rigorous testing both on the street and track before releasing these. Also all of our products will carry a full lifetime warranty.

Thank you for the info.

[Swift]

I am glad someone is making things themselves for these cars, however make sure it is spec'd to the race class these cars most likely will run it. I have looked into it before and I know the "eye" has to be like 60mm ID or something etc etc.

[Dfideth]

Originally Posted by NON-VTEC

The estimated strength rating for the D-ring itself is 2'000lbs. The tensile and shear strength of the bolts is substantially higher than that. We will also be doing rigorous testing both on the street and track before releasing these. Also all of our products will carry a full lifetime warranty.

The strength of the D ring or breaking strength is 10,000lbs. Rigging gear uses a 5 to 1 factor for working load capacities, in this case 2,000lbs. working load. Using the allen instead of the original screw supplied with the D ring "Shackle" weakens it. You may have noticed the over sized hole of the unthreaded part of the shackle and how lose it is at the cap side. But good news, the D ring isnt your weak link. If you use that tie down to pull in any other direction than a straight pull, you will snap that bolt that screws into the vehicle.
....My background, 25 year crane tech and rigging, engineering life line for fall protection, in house testing on pulling eyebolts etc.

[TickTacker]

Originally Posted by NON-VTEC

Tow hook will come with a button head allen rather than the full size allen pictured.

Please let us know what you think of these. Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks everybody for looking.

No offense personally, but as long as you're looking for feedback, it looks like you skipped the 'R' and went straight to the 'D'. You'd have to be crazy to put something like this on your car and expect to be safely towed. How are you threading the rod? It looks like you've welded a bolt to the end of a piece of bar stock and then ground it down with an angle grinder.

I can appreciate the effort, but I think you need to take a step back and re-evaluate a few of your design choices here if you're going to confidently call it a "track grade tow hook".

On a grander scale, can I ask what advantages something like this offers over the stock tow hook, designed and manufactured to pull the BRZ/FR-S.

:happy0180:

[zenki_levin]

Give me 20sec and i'll break it.