Tow Hooks

[Damn True]

The discussion about Laguna's gravel traps got me to thinkin. How would one incorporate a tow hook into the front & rear of a 1st Gen Camaro in the event one were to stuff it into the kitty litter?

S2000


E46


E36

[CAMAROBOY69]

This thread is a great idea. I have been thinking of some different ideas too just in case I ever had to tow my Camaro. It will be interresting to see some of the ideas. From the front is the hardest place to attach a strap. I remember one year when we got a surprise snow storm in March and I had to pull my 72 CUtlass into the driveway thru 1 foot of snow. I had a heck of a time finding a place to attach. I think out of desperation I attached to the sway bar. I just pulled real gentle.
I was thinking of bolting a bracket to the front frame way under the car. Then when I was at an event I could put a shackle or clevis onto the bracket. Since I used to go off road a lot I have tons of these laying around.

[vanzuuk1]

I am going to have a loop welded to my front subframe, or bumper brackets if they look beefy enough. Better to have 'em and not need 'em, than need 'em and not have 'em.

[CarlC]

I've been thinking about some type of hook that will bolt into the subframe and poke out just below the bumper, through the opening in the lower valence.

A bolt in hook could be easily removed. It would be nice to add some internal bracing to the subframe for support. Perhaps two tubes welded to the inside of the subframe so that the hook could be through bolted without crushing the frame. I would want to carry it in the car so that it could be used to haul the car onto a flatbed tow truck if necessary.

[Camaro Zach]

69 camaro

[Damn True]

I've been thinking about some type of hook that will bolt into the subframe and poke out just below the bumper, through the opening in the lower valence.

A bolt in hook could be easily removed. It would be nice to add some internal bracing to the subframe for support. Perhaps two tubes welded to the inside of the subframe so that the hook could be through bolted without crushing the frame. I would want to carry it in the car so that it could be used to haul the car onto a flatbed tow truck if necessary.

Perhaps something like this bolted parallell to the front frame horn?



These are made by TC Design Fabrication and are for a Miata.

[Damn True]

69 camaro

Yeah, that's the ticket.

[CarlC]

Something like that, but for me the final product may have the pull hole be offset from the bolt centerline in order for it to stick out the available valance opening. It's something I'll have to consider since it will apply a moment load to the frame.

[CAMAROBOY69]

69 camaro

I think that Orange 69 Camaro pic is perfect! Brackets would be easy. I could laser cut them out or just use something from around the garage. The brackets Damn True posted are good too. You could easily put a shackle or clevis right into that or put a hook thru it. However those look more prone to bending if the car is pulled a little sideways. They would have to be quite thick. At least 3/8"-1/4" thick.

[vanzuuk1]

I like the hooks on the orange car, I want to use one on each side and powder coat them yellow, I think it will look cool with the vintage racer theme. It wouldnt look right on a car like the mule, but on a streetfighter/vintage/track car its awesome.

[CAMAROBOY69]

You can also get a clevis and shackle in stainless steel. I have a set of 6 at home and I think those would help accent any car that already had some chrome or polished aluminum on it. They are reasonably priced too. Mine are about 5-6 different sizes for when I used to pull people out of mud holes or out of ditches. Some were too big so it was nice having a variety pack for basically any situation. Here are quite a few to choose from in all sizes and shapes. http://bosunsupplies.com/ProductShackle.cfm
I think I bought my set from ebay but I cant remember. Its been several years. I will try to get pics of mine tonight.

[harshman]

what is the height of the tow trucks? could you put it under hood like nascar?

[CAMAROBOY69]

I think the height would vary from track to track. I would rather not have something located in engine compartment just in case you cant lift your hood. I also wouldn't want their strap or wire rubbing across any of body components if it wasnt necessary.

[Jim Nilsen]

Most of us would be just fine if we used nylon straps. Making sure you have some long enough and using a bit of sense in hooking them up will get you by in most cases. With my 67 and the Vette front frame and the way I have it all arranged I don't feel the need for a hook as much as I do for having some nice straps.

The front frame still has the tiedown hooks that they used to transport the Vettes and the rear suspension has so many different points to wrap around that it is not a worry.

Pulling it out from the rear is going to be a bit trickier but as long as I have some straps that will slide in between the bumper and the rear panel it will all be ok. It is all in how the straps are used that makes the difference on whether or not it will cause any damage.

Nice to see some of the ideas you guys are coming up with and to see how nice they look. I always thought the hooks on Cobras were cool even if they never got used.

Jim Nilsen

[CarlC]

Jim,

In order to use a strap on the front of mine would mean having to either strap to the bumper or the frame. There's really no good way to get the strap around the bumper since it fits tight to the body, plus the silly bumper is so weak that it would bend and deform the sheet metal mounting points. Ditto with the rear bumper.

Pulling from the front frame would mean trying to strap under the spoiler, and that would get torn up as soon as the strap tensioned. Access through the front valence is not good due to radiator and other equipment mountings.

[Steve1968LS2]

Where can you buy those round tow "hooks"??

[Jim Nilsen]

I know what you are saying Carl. Some of our cars just don't allow it to happen with the straps but it is better than a chain rubbing on the surface of things.

The thought about the front spoiler getting damaged is a concern I know about too, It may already be damaged if you are in the gravel or sand already. Once you have damage it doesn't matter as much how they do it.

On a 69 Camaro I definatley know that there isn't enough room for the straps at the front bumper but on the 67-8's there is or at least on mine I believe there is as long as it is done right. The front bumper isn't that strong but it is stronger than most give them credit for and the brackets if pulled at the wrong angle will bend but hopefully the guy who is pulling your car out is as concerned about it as you are. You have to pull at the bumper braket area of the bumper to not cause damage. A gentle pull is much better than a jerk and rip and that is up to the guy pulling you out.
I remember seeing a Harley dangling from the back of a tow truck once and thought the tow truck driver did more damage to the bike than the accident it was in.

Most of us could also use the same kind of hooks that come on many offroad and factory 4x4's and mount them so they are removable.

I know it is a lot nicer to not have to remove them and have them look nice and it is going to be interesting to see all of the choices everyone comes up with for each of their vehicles. I was just saying that straps are sometimes the best alternative and having your own available is sometimes the only way they will ever be able to have the right ones to use them.

Jim Nilsen

[Damn True]

The brackets Damn True posted are good too. You could easily put a shackle or clevis right into that or put a hook thru it. However those look more prone to bending if the car is pulled a little sideways.

That is precisely the point with the Miata tow points. The intent is to pull straight or the attachment point fails. That prevents the wrecker from dragging the car sideways through the gravel pit and doing further damage to the car. Better to have a bent fender than a bent fender AND chassis.

[Damn True]

Where can you buy those round tow "hooks"??

TC Design Fab, I sent you the guys contact info.

Or:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=TOW/E36/E46
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...PRODUCT_ID=TOW
http://www.aj-racing.com/catalog/pro...1&cat=4&page=1
http://www.ompracing.it/prodotti.htm...ngelanguage=en
http://www.tyrc.com/products12.htm

[CAMAROBOY69]

Here are the stainless clevis pieces that I have. I will make a bracket for the largest one that can be unbolted before and after the track.