tow hooks ? for what--

[rikdrt1]

so, i saw these different colored tow hooks for 100+ and maybe i just dont understand but why would you need them ? or i guess the question is - do you need them ?

are they in case you break down and the tow truck cant find a place to attach -- ?

or is it just for looks-giggles and a cool thing to have they are pretty pricey and i noticed people only get 1 not 2 --

sorry but this whole topic has me baffled as to why its needed at all.

do you guys buy them and if so - why ?

[speed3]

For track days when they need to pull you out of the sand traps. Most of the time they can't access the usual tow points plus this way is quicker and there's less hold up for others if they need to flag while pulling you out.

Mandatory at some tracks and almost always for racing.

[rikdrt1]

Originally Posted by speed3

For track days when they need to pull you out of the sand traps. Most of the time they can't access the usual tow points plus this way is quicker and there's less hold up for others if they need to flag while pulling you out.

Mandatory at some tracks and almost always for racing.

ohhh - got it.
i guess if i ever plan to go i better get one. thanks didnt know that prob since ive never been to the track .. just yet

[Wolfking]

C'mon gramps! I'm 42 and even I know what the tow hook deal is. (A) they are functional for recovery...or should be. (B) It's very JDM. (plz know what this means) JDM enthusiast dig them because they emulate the set ups on the racing circuits in Japan. (and Europe)
Get with the program trooper!

[PMok]

I'm pretty sure the colored expensives ones are largely for looks and giggles. I believe the car should come with a plain looking grey painted or metallic tow hooks that works just as fine for that purpose?

[Scaldy]

I think they look really cool... but how do you stop someone from just stealing it off your car? That would be my biggest fear.

[Caliban]

I know most of the HPDE, track prepped race cars are required to have the tow hook(s) bolted down to the chassis. Those thread-on(screw on) type will not work well. it will stripped the threads right off.

[speed3]

Loctite & torque it like a motherf*****

[FT-86GOD]

Tow hooks are a must for some....... I have roadside assistance and with that i have 3 times a year i can have the car towed if it "breaks down" have it delivered to a mechanic of my choice anywhere within the state......
I used to send my LS2 Ute to a racing motor builder i know once or twice a yr on tilt truck who is about 100kms from Perth (MarksWorkshop in York) but because my Ute was so low u could not reverse it on a tilt truck using the rear tow hook without ripping my front bumper off and contacting my radiator supports so i would have to take the front bumper off and use wood boards driving it on to not strike the ground... So any time i would need a tow, Possible breakdown down at track, damage or crash etc i couldnt just get towed onto a tilt truck easily without taking off my bumper.....

With tow hooks built into the bonnet it makes things so easy.... Because the 86/BRZ sits so low i think it will have similar problems getting onto a tilt/tow truck.... Having the tow hook/s u dont have to worry about removing the front bumper.....

For $100/$150 each they are well worth it for some..... Dont think that everyone wants them just to "look cool".... They have functionality and i can assure u if anything goes wrong with ur 86/BRZ and u need a tilt/tow truck ull wish u had them...

I would much prefer to attach straps than hooks though but there still in development kinda..

[track_warrior]

Because Race Car!!

No but in all seriousness i use mine when i go to the track, a while back i was chasing a z06 until it spun out and the car died stuck in some dry grass, well next thing you know the car was on fire the safety truck got there on time to pull it out before it was too late but the car had no towing point on the bumper and the bottom was on fire so the guy watched his car burn to the ground. Since then on i always run a tow hook at the track specially in a bright color just in case there is smoke, dust etc it can be identified quickly so i can be pulled out easily.

[PMok]

no doubt it's a useful thing to have them in a bright color for the racetrack in case something does happen like you said.

but I think anyone who runs these all the time on the street is kinda being poser-ish and imagine what would happen if you were involved in an accident with one of these things in place. it would probably get tweaked or break off in a direct impact, and maybe even damage the tow hook hole/threads ... now you can't actually safely use it to tow the car after the accident.

[|-Goku-|]

I always thought that it added 25HP at the wheels.

Good to know why they are actually needed though

[killercl0wnfish]

dont fell dumb ive wonderd the same thang for along time.... there are no tracks here in kentucky that i know of but every damn honda and import has these HUGE hooks ....

[kappaknight]

Originally Posted by killercl0wnfish

dont fell dumb ive wonderd the same thang for along time.... there are no tracks here in kentucky that i know of but every damn honda and import has these HUGE hooks ....

Useful for those hidden corn field race tracks?