Topic: Most durable tow hook method?

So when we built the Benz in 2012, a purpose designed strap with a steel loop was affixed to the front frame rail,dangling below the bumper. Worked OK until the fabric frayed last race.

What are you guys using for this when there ain't a factory loop there? I was thinking to weld a loop of tow chain to the frame rail. Is there a better cheap solution?

Tradewinds Tribesmen Racing (The road goes on forever…)
#289 1984 Corvette Z51 #124 1984 944 #110 2002 Passat
Gone but not forgotten, #427-Hong Kong Cavaliers Benz S500
IOE (Humber!) Hell on Wheels (Jaguar)

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

Replace the strap?

Mistake By The Lake Racing (MBTL)
88 Thunderbird "THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!", Ex Astris, Rubigo / Semper Fracti
A&D: 2014 Sebrings at Sebring (NSF), 2014 NJMP2 Jurassic Park (SpeedyCop), 2012 Summit Point J30 (PiNuts)
2018 Route Sucky-Suck Rally Miata, 2019 World Tour Of Texas 64 Newport

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

Guildenstern wrote:

Replace the strap?

Car is parked outside in the desert 24/7; trying to not use fabric where the circumstances call for metal smile

Tradewinds Tribesmen Racing (The road goes on forever…)
#289 1984 Corvette Z51 #124 1984 944 #110 2002 Passat
Gone but not forgotten, #427-Hong Kong Cavaliers Benz S500
IOE (Humber!) Hell on Wheels (Jaguar)

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

I'd find a good place to bolt on the chain with a hook, then run the the chain up to the bumper and hold it to the car with a few zip ties. When it gets towed the zip ties will break, and you should probably replace them every race because Zona sun...

That guy

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

DirtyDuc wrote:

I'd find a good place to bolt on the chain with a hook, then run the the chain up to the bumper and hold it to the car with a few zip ties. When it gets towed the zip ties will break, and you should probably replace them every race because Zona sun...

Good idea. Looking back, I seem to have insinuated that the strap wears out every 6 years. Big deal, I wouldn't be unhappy with that. However (humble brag) the strap has never been used until 2018. I bet it woulda ripped off in just the same fashion years ago, if used.

Tradewinds Tribesmen Racing (The road goes on forever…)
#289 1984 Corvette Z51 #124 1984 944 #110 2002 Passat
Gone but not forgotten, #427-Hong Kong Cavaliers Benz S500
IOE (Humber!) Hell on Wheels (Jaguar)

6 (edited by Guildenstern 2019-01-08 04:35 PM)

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

As someone who seems to see 2-3 tow ins a race I can't fathom 6 years with one tow.

Mistake By The Lake Racing (MBTL)
88 Thunderbird "THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!", Ex Astris, Rubigo / Semper Fracti
A&D: 2014 Sebrings at Sebring (NSF), 2014 NJMP2 Jurassic Park (SpeedyCop), 2012 Summit Point J30 (PiNuts)
2018 Route Sucky-Suck Rally Miata, 2019 World Tour Of Texas 64 Newport

7 (edited by jbl 2019-01-08 08:22 PM)

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

Guildenstern wrote:

As someone who seems to see 2-3 tow ins a race I can't fathom 6 years with one tow.

I remember our car getting towed in while we were cooking up some sausage and pepper sandwiches.  We joked with the tow guys that we'd give them one next time around.

They got sandwiches. 

They were still hot.

NJMP '11--#132 (Speedycop), NJMP '12 to '16--#215 (Philthy Motorsports), NJMP '16--#75 Most Heroic Fix, NJMP '17--#75 (still drying out), NJMP '18--#75, NHMS '18 - #75 Datsun 510

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

jbl wrote:
Guildenstern wrote:

As someone who seems to see 2-3 tow ins a race I can't fathom 6 years with one tow.

I remember our car getting towed in while we were cooking up some sausage and pepper sandwiches.  We joked with the tow guys that we'd give them one next time around.

They got sandwiches. 

They were still hot.

Stop objectifying the safety crew like that!  They are all someone's sons, possible brothers, maybe husbands.  They are people, not objects of your desire.

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

Took some ~8" lengths of chain, bolted at each end to the frame on each side of each end, so 4 total.  It dangles down just below the bumper.  Looks menacing.

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

10 (edited by jbl 2019-01-09 06:09 AM)

Re: Most durable tow hook method?

OnkelUdo wrote:
jbl wrote:
Guildenstern wrote:

As someone who seems to see 2-3 tow ins a race I can't fathom 6 years with one tow.

I remember our car getting towed in while we were cooking up some sausage and pepper sandwiches.  We joked with the tow guys that we'd give them one next time around.

They got sandwiches.

They were still hot.

Stop objectifying the safety crew like that!  They are all someone's sons, possible brothers, maybe husbands.  They are people, not objects of your desire.

Reported for kink shaming

NJMP '11--#132 (Speedycop), NJMP '12 to '16--#215 (Philthy Motorsports), NJMP '16--#75 Most Heroic Fix, NJMP '17--#75 (still drying out), NJMP '18--#75, NHMS '18 - #75 Datsun 510