Rear tow

[James Morse]

Is this true:
With a Class III frame hitch you could put a D-ring, hook a chain to it, and pull the truck backwards.
Or else there must be a way to put rear tow hooks.

 

[dvdswan]

You can do that. Assuming you mean just to get the vehicle unstuck. They do make the receiver hitch with the ring on it.

 

[James Morse]

Nice. You could keep the D ring in your stash and just put it on if needed.
Yes just say it's stuck in mud to pull it a short distance backwards

 

[don4331]

Do NOT use a chain to pull a truck out unless you really know what you're doing (and then you probably won't).

There are straps to connect from one vehicle to another that are significantly safer than a chain.

 

[ericbphoto]

And… do not attach to a hitch ball for vehicle recovery. Use a device as shown above.

 

[James Morse]

OK. So this is why some guys talked about carrying straps. What is an example of a strap you would use?
Kind of premature with neither frame hitch nor tow hooks but I always plan
thanks

 

[Roert42]

Any towing straps should be ok. The main issue with chains is their weight. When they break they become a dangerous projectile.

 

[don4331]

You probably want a strap sooner than later; some cute girl will be stuck in snowbank as you cruise past. If you have the equipment, you can loop around and help her out.

Each of my vehicles has one like this: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/7-500-lb-recovery-strap-with-loop-ends-3-in-x-30-ft-0403057p.html?loc=plp (Actually all my vehicles have a kit with strap, booster cables, breaker bar, torque wrench, 3/4, 13/16 & 21mm sockets, multi bit screwdriver, reflectors, a blanket, 1st aid kit and couple other items). There are straps with tow hooks that you can hook into your frame - i.e. using the pre drilled holes for tow hooks/trailer hitch that every Ranger comes with, you just need to be more 'delicate' with your extraction. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/9-000-lb-tow-strap-2-in-x-30-ft-0402674p.html?loc=plp

The 4wds have tow hooks on front/trailer hitches on back. You don't need the receiver hitch that @dvdswan linked, you can use the pin in the receiver directly to hold the strap. But the hitch is convenient when it is cold and dark.

 

[James Morse]

Ah yes I've seen those vids of ship anchor chains breaking - not a pretty sight

Thanks for info and links.

I'm gonna need another cargo box. I cleaned mine out and put yoga mat on bottom and put all my fishing gear and my metal detector and digging tools and it's getting crowded.
Fish tackle box really doesn't have to be in there it just lets me leave it there locked up.
I was always swapping this stuff in and out of the other truck.

Does anyone know, what happened between 97 and 99 (probably 98) in the design because my 99 has a prominent rear hump and the 97 has zero hump?

I had the truck locked overnight and this morning saw I hadn't fully latched the hood, so I opened it up and the theft alarm went off. I am learning features I didn't know it had.

You are referring to pre-drilled holes for the tow hooks and in the TRS writeup it is talking about taking out bolts that hold the bumper and putting the tow hooks there on either side
Is that what you are talking about as to being predrilled or are you talking a different location? I'm confused (again)

 

[89Twincharge]

When I lived up north I'd carry bubba strap it's like an elasticoish internal strand tow rope thingy on account of the snow. Pulled many vehicles out with my explorer and even my 2wd Mazda b3000

 

[ericbphoto]

When I lived up north I'd carry bubba strap it's like an elasticoish internal strand tow rope thingy on account of the snow. Pulled many vehicles out with my explorer and even my 2wd Mazda b3000

Bubbarope is what they call “kinetic rope” several companies making them. No elastic internal strand. It is all due to the type of fiber used to make the rope.

 

[89Twincharge]

That's why I put ish on the end of elastic lol but yeah we just call them snatch ropes usually i just remember the bubba rope cuz it was the last time I went to our western auto parts store before napa and az put them out of business!!

 

[ericbphoto]

Ah yes I've seen those vids of ship anchor chains breaking - not a pretty sight

Thanks for info and links.

I'm gonna need another cargo box. I cleaned mine out and put yoga mat on bottom and put all my fishing gear and my metal detector and digging tools and it's getting crowded.
Fish tackle box really doesn't have to be in there it just lets me leave it there locked up.
I was always swapping this stuff in and out of the other truck.

Does anyone know, what happened between 97 and 99 (probably 98) in the design because my 99 has a prominent rear hump and the 97 has zero hump?

I had the truck locked overnight and this morning saw I hadn't fully latched the hood, so I opened it up and the theft alarm went off. I am learning features I didn't know it had.

You are referring to pre-drilled holes for the tow hooks and in the TRS writeup it is talking about taking out bolts that hold the bumper and putting the tow hooks there on either side
Is that what you are talking about as to being predrilled or are you talking a different location? I'm confused (again)

97 was the last year of the third generation of Rangers. Bunch of changes came in 98.

Different generations may have different holes punched in their frames for different options or changes to bumper mounting, etc. I have a 93 (third gen) and I have not found any factory drilled holes on my truck that match up to standard aftermarket tow hooks. Most of the aftermarket stuff is designed for Jeeps and the rest of us just “make it work” by drilling our own holes or other modifications.

 

[JohnnyO]

OK. So this is why some guys talked about carrying straps. What is an example of a strap you would use?
Kind of premature with neither frame hitch nor tow hooks but I always plan
thanks

Nylon tow strap with a loop at each end. 20-25 feet long. Pull the strap through the loop or use a D-ring.

 

[97RangerXLT]

You can get the D ring receiver like the picture above from Harbor Freight for about 15 bucks and a nylon tow strap like JohnnyO mentioned as well for about 20. so under 40 and you got a basic recovery set. The Better option of you do a lot of off roading is what EricB has plus a nice 12,000 lb winch.

AJ