Tow Hooks & Accessories

Towing Hooks & Supplies

Make sure you have all of the necessary vehicle towing and recovery supplies by coming to US Cargo Control. We have the tow hooks, tow chains, V-bridle tow straps, cluster hook assemblies, and cable pullers you'll need to do the job safely and efficiently.

Using Tow Hooks

The most important aspect of towing or recovering a vehicle is knowing where to place tow hooks and recovery/tow straps. The only spot on a car, truck, or SUV that can handle the weight of pulling another vehicle is the frame. Bumpers are not designed to withstand the pressure and will be damaged or pulled away completely. You should also not attach a tow rope or recovery strap to an axle. While it may appear to be a secure part of a vehicle, it can be bent or torn off under pulling pressure.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that American-made vehicles have four attachment points on the frame where straps can be attached if needed. If you have a vehicle without tow hooks, you can have a professional weld them onto the frame.

Took Hook Types

The hook style you'll need will depend on the type of vehicle you're towing. Different vehicles are compatible with specific tow hooks, so you'll need to consider this before attaching them to the frame.

R Hooks

R hooks can tow Ford vehicles. Their unique shape allows for a secure hold every time.

T Hooks

These hooks are easy to attach - simply fit the head into the oblong hole and twist. Choose a T hook if you are towing GM/Chrysler vehicles.

J Tow Hooks

J hooks for towing, as the name suggests, are shaped like a J. They are designed to tow foreign-made vehicles, including Toyota and Honda.

Combination Hooks for Tow Straps

If you need to tow a variety of vehicles, we offer a cluster hook assembly that includes a D-Ring, J hook, T hook and R hook. Simply choose the appropriate hook style and place into the factory hole in the vehicle's under carriage to ensure safe towing.

V-Bridle Tow Straps

Protect the vehicle you are towing from chain damage by using a V-bridle tow strap. They use webbing instead of chain and include protective covers at the D-ring connection point for superior abrasion-resistance.

They are available with either 14" forged J hooks or cluster hooks.

Cable Puller

Our two-ton cable puller is easy-to-operate, with an all-steel construction. It can be used for more than just light-duty vehicle recovery - it's a great option for material handling and moving heavy objects too. 

This puller should not be used for lifting.

Towing Chain

Make sure your towing chain is versatile by choosing one with a forged hook, T hook, and grab hook. Made from grade 70 chain, it has a working load limit of 3,900 lbs.

Towing Supplies Strengths and Limits

Another crucial aspect of towing is knowing the strength of the equipment you are using. Some common terms you'll see include:

Break strength: Sometimes also known as rated capacity, break strength is the average force at which a product has been found to break. These tests are conducted by a trained representative under ideal, controlled conditions when the product is new.

Work load limit: Sometimes abbreviated as WLL or SWL (safe working load), this is the maximum load capacity that should ever be applied in a straight line pull under any condition. These limit guidelines are determined and based on general environmental conditions and may not take into considerations such as extremely high or low temperatures, prolonged immersion in water or chemical solutions, etc. You should never exceed the working load limit of a piece of equipment.

Comprehensive Tow Accessories

For more information about our hauling chains, trailer hooks, tow strap accessories or any of our towing supplies, call our sales team. They'll be happy to answer any questions you have or help you place an order.

Looking for more vehicle hauler supplies? For car hauler straps, wheel nets, axle straps, tow dolly straps and other car tie downs, check out our page of wheel nets, auto & car tie downs and tow dolly straps, or browse our full selection of towing equipment. We also carry recovery and tow straps.