Front hitch vs. tow hooks

chetos · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:15 pm

What are the pro's and con's to each? I really don't ever see using a winch but I do see myself getting stuck. The front hitch really isn't that much more than the Mopar front tow hooks. I just really don't know. THanks.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:21 pm

If you can get yourself a Reese front hitch (they're becoming scarce) they have tow loops built in. Really nice piece. The only cons to the front hitch IMO are: You need to relocate your front license plate, the install is pretty involved, there is a slight weight gain. Other than that the Reese unit is more versatile than just hooks IMO. Have you seen some of the fabbed hooks people here have made?

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:27 pm

Think about the angle of the pull on your KJ using one of the hooks compared to a straight ahead pull with a centered hitch shackle.

Sometimes it will be an advantage to be able to pull from the left or right side hooks instead of straight ahead.

Almost a toss up but the versatility and the number of times needing to be pulled straight gives the hitch and advantage over hooks, IMO.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:09 pm

Besides being a recovery point like hooks the front hitch can be used to mount a winch, bike rack, step and other accessories.

Gris · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:52 pm

I'm a fan of dual tow points.

Gris · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:53 pm

I'm a fan of dual tow points. If I ever wanted a winch, I can still mount it in the middle, and having to huge tow points like lets me get pulled from either side, straight down the middle ot even strap a portable winch in between them.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:47 am

waddy whiteguts wrote:

If you can get yourself a Reese front hitch (they're becoming scarce) they have tow loops built in. Really nice piece. The only cons to the front hitch IMO are: You need to relocate your front license plate, the install is pretty involved, there is a slight weight gain. Other than that the Reese unit is more versatile than just hooks IMO. Have you seen some of the fabbed hooks people here have made?

Actually you don't have to relocate the front license plate. I'll get some photos of what mods I did to solve the problem tomorrow if I have the time. My solution keeps the license plate in the original position and allows me to use the hitch with a tow ring at the same time.

Basically what I did was to trim the plastic on the license plate holder and cut two grooves on the bottom of my plate. Photos will help.

John
];')

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:19 am

Gris wrote:

I'm a fan of dual tow points.

Well, with the Reese hitch you have dual tow points (1/2" bar loops welded either side of the receiver) as well as a center point that will accept anything you can put in the 2" receiver tube. For starters, I am looking at fabbing up a light mount with two fog lights mounted that I could run on either the front or the back (if I needed more light off the back when I'm wheeling - I wouldn't run them back there on-road :shock:

). When we ran the Coke Ovens over the 4th of July weekend I had a situation where I had to be pulled back from the brink (so to speak). One of the members put a tow hook in the rear receiver to get me straightened out, then moved it to the front receiver so I could be helped up the section I couldn't quite make on my own. The whole operation took about two minutes.

Nothing against the two tow loops you have, I just feel the front hitch gives you more options.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:27 pm

Here are some photos of how I solved the license plate problem.

First is the cut around the hitch face in the front bumper.

The the cut in the license plate holder.

Next is a close-up of the slits and bending I did to the plate itself. I formed the plate around the hitch
using a 2x4 so as not to trash the plate too much.

Lastly, here is a shot of the finished mod. The plate and holder are in the original stock location.

John
];')

BJ'naKJ · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:08 am

Kugellager wrote:

Here are some photos of how I solved the license plate problem.

Or you can just flip the plate holder around 180 degrees...

Kugellager · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:10 am

BJ'naKJ wrote:

Kugellager wrote:

Here are some photos of how I solved the license plate problem.

Or you can just flip the plate holder around 180 degrees...

Then it would stick up and be angled forward; which is exactly what I wanted to avoid. Keeping it flush lessens the chance it will be ripped off by a branch, leaned on or stepped on. The stock mount is very weak and allowing it to stick up makes it all that easier to rip off. Removing it every time I wheel and putting it back on ever time I am on the road again is a PITA.

John
];')

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:32 pm

I just rescrewed my plate holder over to the left. Still fits perfect and leaves enough room to access the hitch pin. The back plate is to the left so I figure they match.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:42 pm

In a rush, I could see myself cutting my fingers on the license plate tryint to unscrew/screw on the bolt for the shackle when trying to put on/take off the strap.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:48 pm

Ha ha, then you'd have to use your two dollahs for band aids! :-)r

Kugellager · **Posted:** Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:48 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

In a rush, I could see myself cutting my fingers on the license plate tryint to unscrew/screw on the bolt for the shackle when trying to put on/take off the strap.

You mean you actually use your hitch/shackle??? :lol:

John
];')

Front hitch vs. tow hooks

Who is online