Front Recovery loop strength

I have a '21 SR-5 and don't do a bunch of off-roading or rock climbing but I do a lot of ice fishing and get stuck from to time in snow drifts and need a pull. I see there's a driver side loop welded on the frame just above the air dam. I have been looking at the posts of recovery aftermarket hooks and loops, but I already have installed a brush grill were most of the hook's bolt to plus I do not want to lose my air dam if I can help it. Has anyone used the factory loop as a tow point and had it fail? If so, how much force was on it? The factory weld looks pretty strong to me.

 

Many here are going to tell you to get a real recovery point, like the ARB that is offered for the Tacoma. With that said, be careful if you decide to use the stock loop. It probably can handle light pulls, possibly even light kinetic pulls.

It hurt watching this guy hammer the front end. The TRD hook seemed to handle it well. Not the end near the loop you speak of. But the loop looked okay. So both the TRD hook and loop appeared to be okay to the piece they were fastened too.

FFW to minute 4:20 for the bend, fuuuuuudge. FFW to 1:18 to commence the “wtf!?!”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OBYk8_IOqHQ

 

There are no recovery rated points on the Tacoma. The loops are for transport tie downs.

 

Prove it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tow-hook-on-drivers-side.692725/page-2

 

What an F'in walnut that guy is... and he wants to make "How To" videos!?

 

Most people want a recovery point that can withstand a 35mph running start style yank.

That's never been my style, and I think that running snatch recoveries ask too much of the frame. I like slow pulls. They take more work. Much more digging. The stock tie downs can take a slow pull all day long. They might not take a running snatch.

 

Hearsay and opinion. Again, prove it.
I have seen several Tacomas recovered from that loop.
You have no proof, I have no counter. However, if I am stuck you bet your ass I will use that loop.

 

Did I see things incorrectly, or did that guy just try to climb a 45 degree rock wall, scraping the underbelly, but did not have skid plates up frint and especially on the transfer case?

Did he intend to hit the trails that way?

 

I am only asking because it was mentioned in a video (about what was wrong in the fatal incident in AZ last year I think) ... a bridle can share the load on each hook. Provided the angle on each hook using the bridle is not extreme.

OR anm I wrong in which case I would appreciate knowing now rather than later.

 

What a freaking clown

 

That's a retaining wall in his back yard. Dude starts removing rocks from the retaining wall to stack under his truck so he could get his front tires up it.

He didn't scrape the underbelly, just the front bumper plastic and bent the bolt-on lower crossmember extension. Looks like he has the stock tinfoil skids protecting the oil cooler and under the engine. I don't think he does any serious wheeling, judging by that tire carrier and no sliders.

 

It can if rigged correctly. (If rigged incorrectly it introduces additional points of failure.)

Admittedly that would be a question best asked of the people who make it a hobby to go get stuck. That's never been my idea of fun - after a harsh lesson or two in my youth, I pretty much stuck to the philosophy that early bailouts make for easy recoveries.

 

For snow recoveries the forces are usually low. You can use the tow hoop or get Demon Hook-style shackle mounts, of which there are several sellers:

$34 VONLX Front Demon Tow Hook Bracket, Front Tow Hooks Mounting Bracket with 3/4" Shackles Fit for Toyota Tacoma 2009-2023

https://www.amazon.com/VONLX-Bracket-Mounting-Shackles-2009-2023/dp/B0B93BZ4CL/

$40 StarONE Front Demon Tow Hook Bracket w/ 3/4" Shackle Mount Fit for 2009-2021 Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/StarONE-Bracket-Shackle-2009-2021-Toyota/dp/B08TB68GFM/
The Demon Hook shackle mounts have a good design in that they don't rely on the mounting bolt or the welds for strength.

 

Hate to sound like a Richard here but, What I'm looking for are answers to my OP questions.

 

Serious answer - I have not seen one thread that showed the failure of that tie down.

Serious question - you ask how much force. How does one measure force when recovering?

 

the parents of the dude in the video should have used condoms

 

did you read the manual

 

The condom manual?

 

Here is some viewing about the difference between snatch/kinetic recovery and towing recovery, started by a discussion about a recovery done by someone who does not understand the sometimes terrifying forces involved: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kingman-az-man-died-in-offroad-recovery.774094/

In short, it tells you that those hooks/tow-points are not good for much dynamic force, just slow-constant force. I learned much from it.