How strong are the C5 front tow hooks?
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
How strong are the C5 front tow hooks?
I have the Phoenix hooks, but they all seem to mount the same. Are they strong enough to use to winch your car onto a trailer on a regular basis (I'd hope so, since pulling out of a sand/gravel trap would probably stress it even more)?
Thanks,
TJ
Thanks,
TJ
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
-TJ
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: Oakville Ontario,Canada
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I've used my front tow hook for loading my car on the trailer many many times. Ive also had the luxury of being hauled through the the infield at the Glen from the bus stop back to the garages, thats a long pull - up hill - down hill. Its held up exactly as I had hoped - no issues.
Mine are built by Powell race shop but I'm guessing they are similar to most out there. I got the removable hinged type.
Mine are built by Powell race shop but I'm guessing they are similar to most out there. I got the removable hinged type.
Last edited by GettReal; 08-07-2010 at 08:02 PM.
#8
Melting Slicks
I have Pfadt hooks front and rear on my car. They attach to the front bumper with rivnuts. When I wrecked my car and we ended up in the mesquite trees, the wrecker driver asked if he could attach his cable to the hook to get it out.
I told him to try it but it would probably pull out. Well, it didn't pull out. They pulled my car out and up on the flat bed wrecker.
Later, at the body shop I was winching the car into my trailer and did not notice that the left front wheel was wedged against the brake caliper and was not turning. I pulled the car about 8 feet on the pavement and then into my trailer dragging that one wheel. I wondered by the winch seemed to be working so hard. (I'm an idiot for not walking around the car and checking it better).
The hook worked great. It is elongated a little now from use but I put it on my new car. It is alot stronger than you think.
Hoping never to have to use it again except to load/unload my car.
I told him to try it but it would probably pull out. Well, it didn't pull out. They pulled my car out and up on the flat bed wrecker.
Later, at the body shop I was winching the car into my trailer and did not notice that the left front wheel was wedged against the brake caliper and was not turning. I pulled the car about 8 feet on the pavement and then into my trailer dragging that one wheel. I wondered by the winch seemed to be working so hard. (I'm an idiot for not walking around the car and checking it better).
The hook worked great. It is elongated a little now from use but I put it on my new car. It is alot stronger than you think.
Hoping never to have to use it again except to load/unload my car.
#9
Race Director
pulling a 3000lb car up a trailer ramp only puts about 500lbs or so of load on the towing system. Considering a 1/4" bolt will theoretically hold 4300lbs, you can see it really doesn't take much to pull a car up a little hill
#10
Melting Slicks
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I installed one of these on our T1 car and it had to be pulled out of a swap at Blackhawk. (The car was in the swap up to the drivers door!)
I have it bolted to the frame (same as Phoenix) with a single 3/8" grade 8 bolt and some large washers, it pulled the car out of the muck and onto the flatbed just fine. So if that works the Phoenix one will be just fine.
#11
Instructor
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One more example of how strong they are - The Hallet tow truck operator used my front tow hook to pick up the car to get me off the air fence before they towed me in.
Same tow hook is back on the car after repairs.
John
Same tow hook is back on the car after repairs.
John
#12
Tow Hook
The attached tow hook for the C6 is now available for the C5. The only difference is it mounts on the right side. It is much stornger than all the others. See attached
Last edited by Larry Bittner; 09-11-2011 at 01:06 PM.