can they be trusted - Yes, I would say that was in excess of their rating.

Yes, I would say that was in excess of their rating.

evensteven3 wrote:I break them off occasionally but I have learned always pull from both of them with a hoop and never pull at an angle also I had one hook that didnt break and I wish it did it bent the frame but all of the breaks Ive had were in excess like jerking a semi out of the mud while hopping on pavement in 4low

Really Why would you do that? I realize that some folks see a truck has a tool but thats like trying to bust up a concrete driveway with a ball pein hammer

I believe they are actually referred to as "recovery hooks". At least that's what they call them on my '06.

I'm thinking these things are more for pulling *you* out of the muck when you get stuck rather than using them to try and haul out someone else who's stuck ....

It would be real easy to overtax them if your trying to use them for pulling.

There's a lot more physics involved with using the front recovery hooks to recovery someone else rather than yourself. I've used them a few times on my 02 1500 hd and I've only had it not even two months. the thing to really pay attention to is what you are pulling, the angle in which you are pulling, and how you are pulling. (i.e. keeping tension on the chain, or jumping the gas and "slapping" the chain. I myself use a chain rated for 10,000 lbs. This accounts for the vehicles weight as well as the additional force of whatever it is I'm stuck in, or whatever drag may be caused in whatever situation.

so for example when i was pulling my 1988 sideways through a yard in reverse with my 02. I was factoring in the fact that there's a LOT of friction going on being that im basically sliding an entire vehicle through the dirt.

pulling straight will give you the best chance of success as in every few angles of deflection you have you are stressing your truck.

think of it this way, if you're not going straight in reverse, you're going to be pulling your truck cockeyed, so ball joints, bushings, and your whole truck will be stressed.

as for the hooks, I've never broken one. and the two grade 8 bolts used to mount them to the frame are the last thing to worry about. I work in a machine shop and we learn the differences between metal grades and you'd be surprised what some metals can withstand.

MadHatter wrote:kind of sceeery thinkn about a chain breakn an coming at the front of the truck.

ive seen this several times. you wouldnt think so, but a chain under tension may as well be a bungee cord. anytime we use a chain for a recovery, we always make sure to hang something on the chain to weigh it down in the event of a failure. for example, a sand bag, a cement block, or even draping another chain over the chain your using. whatever is available...

I have used them with tow straps (that have a bungee effect) for pulling out some stubborn trees/bushes with no problems. BUT...I would NOT use them for recovering someone else unless I had to....I would use the hitch

Monster hook!

You guys might want to check the load rating for your receivers before you start putting 10k on them. That monster hook may hold up but I doubt that class 3 receiver will.

I have used the front tow hooks on my 2003 Avalanche to tow quite a bit out. Be responsible and don't try to pull anything heavier than what your pulling with. In my case that would be another Silverado. Jerking someone out no matter what you use can be a risky endeavor. When playing in our jeeps out at the river I have seen the hitch ball break off and go through the back of a jeeps tailgate and then through the windshield. Please don't wrap your strap around your ball. You can go to almost any farm store and get a clevis hook that will work 10 times better for around $20.

I personally use a 30 foot 6" strap that was made for the military to pull stuck 5 tons out of mud, rated somewhere around 35k. I also understand that my class III receiver is only rated for something like 4000lbs. Do the math folks if your pulling out a Semi with a 4000lb receiver, there is a good possibility that something is going to go wrong.

All that being said I have and will continue to do straight pulls off the front tow hooks to either pull myself or others out. Carefully.

Another tip, while pulling in reverse, lift your hood for added protection if something breaks. It may require a spotter but it could save your life.

I used the one on my 07 Suburban alot and they never bent! I hope the one on my 11 Silverado don't bend. They look like just the ones on the 07 did. Hope that helps.