Just noticed that the tow hook is missing on my recently acquired 2015 stingray convertible.

my question is - if I don’t track the car, then is the tow hook necessary for regular towing / roadside assistance with a flatbed? Sorry if this is a stupid question, been a while since I’ve had a car towed

I assume if this is necessary then I should probably buy an OEM tow hook in case of breakdown?

 

I believe tow hooks are for European destined Vettes, none for U.S. Some folks just by one, mostly for aesthetics.

 

They do not ship from the factory with the tow hook in the US but can be purchased at any supporting vendor here.

I also carry these in the rear cubby:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30274267284...kAAOSwrWVbIuEg

 

Thanks for the info! So I assume that any flat bed truck can tow the c7 without a tow hook in case of breakdown?

 

Not really. That's why I bought that tow strap shown in the link above your post.

 

Tow hooks were not standard equipment on C7s except for export models. There are a number of vendors that sell a good tow hook, including your dealer.

 

The V Bridle works very well when you can get to the bottom of the car to fasten the T hooks into the slots in the frame. I use one all the time to pull my car onto the trailer. I used to use the front tow hook but it would twist around several times as the cable pulled tight and as the car came up onto the trailer bed the winch would start pulling the nose of the car down as well as forward. If your winch is placed at the height of the C7 tow hook mount then the winch will not pull the front down as the car gets closer to the winch.

The V bridle ended the twisting and flexing of the tow hook through the grille and doesn't pull the front of the vehicle down.

V Bridles don't work very well when the body of the car is buried in some muck or if you lose a wheel like I did. I lost the left front wheel coming through T1 at VIR so the car rode on the rotor until it got into the grass then the rotor dug down into the dirt and the nose and driver's side of the car was resting on the ground. The track workers didn't want to damage my car when they lifted it but it was extremely difficult getting a strap under the car so it took a lot of time. My little incident shut the track down for about 45 minutes. If you end up in a sand trap or equivalent mess and a tow hook is what will get the car out.

Bill

 

I agree having the tow straps in your cubby are worth ever bit of $69.00 they cost.
I should have gotten mine free, since they use my C7/photos in their advertisement, right?

 

I would not use the tow hook to load a C7 on a Flatbed. The tow hook is on the right side of the car and the winch is on the center of the bed and will try to pull the to the left side of the bed. The strap is the way to go just do not use permanent hockey pucks.The strap hooks into the T-Hook slots. Tow Hooks are good to pull you out of a Ditch !!

 

If you have a base Stingray, no point in buying a tow hook. There are no threads to insert the hook! Adding a mount for the hook is not terribly cost effective.

I'm getting a bridle for mine in the disastrous scenario I need a tow.

 

While I agree a bridle is the right solution for getting a non-tow hook equipped Vette on a flatbed, I completely disagree about the lack of alignment between the tow hook and winch on a tow truck. I have had multiple vehicles pulled onto a flatbed with an off-center tow hook with no issue at all. Matter of fact, I challenge you to find ANY vehicle that is equipped with a centered tow hook.

If the frame is so weak it can't handle an off-center tow of a rolling chassis, you best never drive the vehicle in the first place!

 

Grab a strap for flatbed and for an assist pull grab some hooks ...

 

What do people without the strap hooks do in the event of a breakdown?

 

Rely on whatever the flatbed driver happens to on hand and accept the risk of damage from using such.