Two types of OEM tow hooks?

I was looking at my TRDOR and noticed the front end has two very different types of tow hooks. The driver side is a closed loop design, while the passenger side is a open more hooklike design.

Why the two types? What are the uses for each type? Do all of the 3rd gens have two different types or did mine come with mismatched tow hooks?

 

Would like to know aswell.

 

The closed loop is not really a recovery point more of a tie down for a tow truck, the open hook is a recovery point. The trd or and pro I think only come with the open hook. The sr5 and sport have 2 closed loops.

 

I did not know this. I have a sport, is the closed loop not suitable to use as a tow point? I've used it to pull my buddies ranger out. Luckily his car is fairly light and it wasn't stuck too bad. Now I know better

 

For light duty I would say yes and in case of emergency yes, but for a off road recovery no. That's what that big beefy tow hook is for and the tow hitch.

 

I have a 2016 Sport.. thought I only had one tie down and it wasn't a hook just a bracket with a hole cutout... I replaced with a HD shackle and new bracket.

 

So when would I use (or not use) the closed loop hook, verses the open hook on the passenger side? What's the reason to have two different types?

 

While both will move your truck, the forged hook is the recovery point, and the loop is a rolling loop. For real recovery, both are kind of “wimpy” get a front hitch receiver.

 

Which one did you go with? I have been looking

Edit: Not sure if this is something that I really need/want or not.

 

May have changed on the 18's to include the open towhook for the sports.

 

I started with a Curt.

$193 CURT 31075 2" Front Receiver Hitch, Select Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B88U426/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Note I: I was shimmying my Pro Skid Plate during my lift, but if you have a Pro Skid Plate you might need to trim or shim the skid plate.
Note II: I welded the two extra receiver blocks on the Curt, it only comes with the center one.

 

'big beefy'
that thing is a piece of shit.
when I replaced mine with the ARB i found a huge piece chipped off of the factory off road hook, realized its held in by two bolts and found a crack running half way around the hook deep enough to get a finger nail into.
I know exactly where it happened when I hit it on a rock hard but still.

something big and beefy meant for a recovery should not be so brittle and held in by two bolts.
I wouldn't trust that piece of shit for anything more than a slight very light tug.

 

Thank you. Just an idea that I was thinking about. Not really sure if it is something that I need or not.

 

To the average "joe" that is considered "beefy". Of course it's not meant to bounce off rocks with 2800 lbs of truck pushing down on it. Hence the name "tow hook". Works fine if not abused, like most everything else.

 

It was barely hit. If that little hit I did was enough to crack it that's way too weak to be used for recovery. Maybe for snowy roads or slight dirt . But anything where you're really stuck not a good idea.

For anyone using it just make sure no one is anywhere within line of that hook in case it lets go .

 

I would rather it break than rip off my rear axle.

 

Why do I feel this is referring to that guy that didn't have tight u bolts lmao .

If it lets go it could kill or severely injure someone. Not something I'd want in the bush. Dampeners are cheap at $15 if you're using a strap should be using one as well. But to each their own.

 

I am a 2wd, its used for simple recoveries and light tows. If you are really stuck, then you need more tools than a strap and a hook.

 

Mobtown front recovery bar. Pricey but built to take a tug from a tank. Plus it doesn’t reduce approach angle or ground clearance

 

Thank you. Something to look into if I decide to go that route.