Gen 4 front tow bar warning

Shifty

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
All, purchased a Dave's SRT front tow bar from Parts Rack last year ($170) and installed it on my 09 ACR. Hoped, I would never need it, but needed a tow at VIR this summer. The safety crew left too much slack in the strap and yanked the car pretty good. Didn't notice at the time, but when I got home and tried to open the front hood, it would not open. With a flashlight, I noticed the front crossmember the towbar was mounted on (which also holds the door latch and oil cooler) was bowed out about 2-3 inches, torqueing the hood latch shut. Off to the body shop. Turns out that crossmember is tubular and bends fairly easily. The guys (Safford Dodge, DC area, outstanding), were going to try and heat the crossmember back into place, as the new front suspension unit is $22K. This would of course weaken the structure and I could never use that tow point again. Well, they actually cut out the hollow piece and welded in a solid piece (note to Dodge) for the same money ($2600), and even reattached the tow hook (now oval, not round). It feels rock solid with no change in driveability. I am only posting this here, because I attempted to put this review on Jon B.'s site THREE times, and each time it magically disappeared and I wanted to get out the word somehow. Good product, just be VERY careful with safety crews or tow trucks.
 

Camfab

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Posts
2,915
Reaction score
3
Location
SoCal
Interesting, good catch. I wonder if the part you speak of, is hollow for a specific reason? Possibly part of an overall crumple effect? Aftermarket parts always have a risk associated with their installation, you can't assume a random bolt on part will not have some negative effect that a vendor didn't think of. In this case, a tow truck driver who could care less about your baby. It would be a good idea, to put similar cars on a rack and see if an additional kicker or two could minimize the damage potential from a similar event.
 

Autoformsteve

Viper Owner
Joined
Oct 27, 2004
Posts
192
Reaction score
0
Location
Holland, Mi
I believe those front tow hooks are made more for pulling a car that has lost power back to the garage area...they should not used if the car is stuck say in mud after an off track excursion...with careful and proper use from the track crew... they will work fine. Most rear tow hooks are bolted directly to the rear lower frame rail.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
S

Shifty

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Posts
10
Reaction score
0
I believe those front tow hooks are made more for pulling a car that has lost power back to the garage area...they should not used if the car is stuck say in mud after an off track excursion...with careful and proper use from the track crew... they will work fine. Most rear tow hooks are bolted directly to the rear lower frame rail.

Steve, quite likely true, as these are not jeep-style D-rings, but the car was on-track, and was indeed getting a slow front tow back to the paddock. The crew was a bit careless, but not negligent. The problem is more likely that there is no frame mount at the front of the Gen 4s for a tow bar as there is for the Gen 1-2. Further, the only easily mountable tow point and product relies on a hollow, bicycle-type of tubing.
 

Autoformsteve

Viper Owner
Joined
Oct 27, 2004
Posts
192
Reaction score
0
Location
Holland, Mi
Steve, quite likely true, as these are not jeep-style D-rings, but the car was on-track, and was indeed getting a slow front tow back to the paddock. The crew was a bit careless, but not negligent. The problem is more likely that there is no frame mount at the front of the Gen 4s for a tow bar as there is for the Gen 1-2. Further, the only easily mountable tow point and product relies on a hollow, bicycle-type of tubing.

I agree with the fact that there is no good, easy way to mount a proper tow hook on the car. This is the tow hook design
You must be registered for see images
[/URL][/IMG]
that we sell for the GenII...but only works with our LeMans race fascia...all that being said...sorry to hear about the damage to your car. It does seem that you have a handle on it now...just not the easy way to mount a tow hook.
 

TrackAire

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Posts
1,523
Reaction score
1
Location
Vacaville, California
I have the Ipisco unit shown here on my 09 ACR and impressed with its mounting and durability. http://www.ipsco.org/Viper_files/SRT Front Tow Hook.htm

Isn't that the one that Shifty has on his vehicle that bent the tubing? I run two of the IPSCO's and always bridle them together when pulling the Viper in and out of the trailer. The two units allow me a center pull so the car self steers itself towards the winch. I've never even thought about the strength of the round tube and its potential to bend under too much stress while towing......may have to take a look at it again.
 

2004 mamba

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Posts
7
Reaction score
0
Ipsco is the dame one Jon B sells. I installed the front tow hook and it is a hallow tube that is between the front upper frame rails/bumper inner support and I moved it as close as I could to the frame rail. It would be quite easy to bend the tube and pull the frame rails inward if it was installed toward the middle of the tube and pulled hard/******. The tow hook for the rear does attach at the lower frame rail but the hook is angled down be low the frame making for a possible contact with the ground situation. The rear frame rails have a place to attach to if a tow is needed. Attached are pictures of front and rear. I also attached a photo showing how a know about that tube:-(


You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    70.2 KB · Views: 66
Last edited:

TrackAire

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Posts
1,523
Reaction score
1
Location
Vacaville, California
Hmmm, I'm a little disappointed at how frail that front tube might be. I'll get under my car tomorrow and take a look at other options. At this point, a if somebody backs into my car with the tow rings installed, it could cause a lot of damage as opposed to not having them on for the street.

I have a 2001 Mustang that I track and had to design my own front tow point attachment that comes out the center so I could winch in and out easily....it's connected to the K member frame with supports forward and to the lower radiator cross support. About a year after I finished mine I found a picture of an old Bondurant Racing School Mustang that had nearly the identical setup to mine....obviously they felt going to the main frame member was important.
 

AZTVR

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Posts
3,043
Reaction score
7
Location
Chandler AZ
Hmmm, I'm a little disappointed at how frail that front tube might be. I'll get under my car tomorrow and take a look at other options. At this point, a if somebody backs into my car with the tow rings installed, it could cause a lot of damage as opposed to not having them on for the street.

I have a 2001 Mustang that I track and had to design my own front tow point attachment that comes out the center so I could winch in and out easily....it's connected to the K member frame with supports forward and to the lower radiator cross support. About a year after I finished mine I found a picture of an old Bondurant Racing School Mustang that had nearly the identical setup to mine....obviously they felt going to the main frame member was important.

A great opportunity for you to design and market a new product for the Viper community ! The existing tow hook is probably just some Viper owner's concept of what was adequate. There is always a better, or differently focused design to anything, given the time, knowledge, and money to work it out.
 
Top