I had no idea there was a store 10 miles from me.

When I bought that hook at Northern Tool I thought $30 was fair.
The fact that Harbor has it for $10 is kinda scary actually.

It must weigh 20 lbs.
I thought a $1.50 a lb was fair but, 50 cents a lb?

Heck, my truck was $5.50 / lb.

 

I guess it's just as well I didn't buy the hook there if it was made in China,
It would be just my luck to get it home and find out the instructions are in chinese.

 

And lead paint on it!

 

Yea I don't really buy much from Harbor Freight, especially something that will be put under a lot of pressure/tension. Actually come to think of it, the only thing I have bought from there is a creeper. 2 weeks after buying it I had to tighten up all 6 wheels, a few of them were near falling off.

 

Hooks in general are not the strongest way to go either. If/when they break they make a really nice missle. I run loops or a clevis on everything I have.

I have yet to find a creeper I really like, so far the best one is a old wooden one with the curvy axles that I got on a garage sale for a couple bucks, otherwise I have yet to get a store bought one that doesn't shed wheels.

 

I actually buy a fair amount of stuff from harbor freight, off the top of my head I've bought:

12" Mitre Saw
2.5 ton floor jack
4.5" angle grinder
Framing nailer

and lots of other misc. stuff (blades, drill bits, tow straps, air hoses, etc...)

The actual power tools themselves get the job done. Don't really have any complaints. But, the blades, drill bits, and other small stuff isn't the greatest.

The stuff is a lot less than compared to a Loews or HD. I've been pretty happy with it but I would just watch out for the small stuff.

 

All,

Well there is no way to bolt up the OEM towhooks to the OEM reciever without drilling big holes. I really do not want to do that. Anyhow I stopped by Harbor Freight and picked up one of the reciever hooks. I have to push it in a bit (it's a plastic housing on my backup light) to make the holes line up but I think it will be okay to use if needed. Thanks for all the great advice you have all given me.

Paul

 

Those hooks are the worst thing you can buy. ESPECIALLY from Harbor freight. The clevis is the best way to go. I have a 05 stx with a 3'' lift and 34'' super swampers and I got stuck nose first up to the top of my hood. It took 2 5.4l f150's to get me out, but during the attempt with just one, I bent that hook thing and a ball hitch from the yanking. GET A CLEVIS. Even if you pay $50 for it, its the best bang for your buck.

 

okay, im just a dumb redneck puttin a lil inginuity in things in life to make them work, but i was wonderin, how hard would it be to bolt those tow hooks to the actual frame on the underside in the rear, right below the bumper, i would think that that would be the strongest place for a hook, i have pulled plenty of people out by the frame back there, and my best friend also has his 12000 lb. winch attatched to the frame back there and he hasnt had any problems,
like i said, im just a dumb redneck and i try and find the cheapest, simplest way out of everything.

 

Tractor Supply carries a receiver/clevis combo for $30. Really good deal and it is a safe, reliable way to get out of a tough spot without going sheap

 

That is why I used 2 SuperDuty tow hooks bolted to the frame of the receiver. No bending those, they are a closed ring.

JMC

 

That's why I chose an open hook.
There is always a weakest link somewhere.
I wanted mine clearly visable and preferably the least expensive component to replace.

For my application 5 ton was more than enough.
I had a tangle of downed/leaning trees and used a hoist on the hook.
It's hard to tell the weight of lumber.
I'd set my chain, take the slack out with the truck, set the truck and work the hoist.
I knew I had to re-adjust not when the hook bent but, when the truck was getting drug around.

 

same one i have

 

This is what I use. It would rip the frame before it broke...

 

i personally like these better. theres no way for the tow strap to slip off. everything stays where it should. it was $25 from tractor supply