Topic: Front Tie Downs

[Jondors]

I know about the rear tie down brackets, but where was the front of the car tied down for shipping to the dealerships?

[Bob Gaines]

I know about the rear tie down brackets, but where was the front of the car tied down for shipping to the dealerships?

It is typically called a J hook and it inserted in the oblong key way in the front frame rail.

[jwc66k]

It is typically called a J hook and it inserted in the oblong key way in the front frame rail.

Bob,
The picture you included has the caption of "t-hook", which is what we've always called them.
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

Bob,
The picture you included has the caption of "t-hook", which is what we've always called them.
Jim

I am aware of the other name. There is also a R hook. J hook is what I have always heard them generically referred to as is why I choose to continue calling it that . In conversations with others over the years that is what they are referred to as so apparently it is a accepted generic alternative name in more then one circle.  You can call them whatever you want if it bothers your sensibilities.  Online they are often listed as a J hook cluster which includes the several different versions on a ring that tow truck drivers carry. That apparently confirms that I am not the only one referring to it generically as such. Regardless the picture shows what manner of shape it is . 

[jwc66k]

The same style "hook" (pick a letter) was used at the rear as well, in the oval slot in the "removable" tie down brackets. I guess the general idea was to securely tie down cars (trucks too) in transit with a universal hook and chain.
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

The same style "hook" (pick a letter) was used at the rear as well, in the oval slot in the "removable" tie down brackets. I guess the general idea was to securely tie down cars (trucks too) in transit with a universal hook and chain.
Jim

+1 . I haven't heard of factory driver stories but I have seen some horrific aftermath of regular tow truck drivers getting over zealous in tightening down the hooks leaving a many inch long ripped gash from the hook tearing through the frame rail metal.

[J_Speegle]

I know about the rear tie down brackets, but where was the front of the car tied down for shipping to the dealerships?

Hooks and related details are available in a number of prior threads - found one using the words "shipping hooks"

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=10470.msg62640#msg62640

[67gtasanjose]

It is typically called a J hook and it inserted in the oblong key way in the front frame rail.

Bob,
The picture you included has the caption of "t-hook", which is what we've always called them.
Jim

I am aware of the other name. There is also a R hook. J hook is what I have always heard them generically referred to as is why I choose to continue calling it that . In conversations with others over the years that is what they are referred to as so apparently it is a accepted generic alternative name in more then one circle.  You can call them whatever you want if it bothers your sensibilities.  Online they are often listed as a J hook cluster which includes the several different versions...

Attached is a picture of a typical  "RTJ Cluster" used on towing trucks and cargo trailers.

Personally, having driven tow trucks... many names are indeed used, and often based upon geographic areas as well (think "dialect") I am sure...

... in my neck of the woods, the "J Hook" is a really large J-shaped hook that could hook around an axle housing and usually on its own chain or paired with another large J-shaped hook on a sling with a center ring.(to hook twice to the forwards or rearwards tie-down).

In towing, I usually didn't use any other hook except this large J-hook ot sometimes, what I called a T-hook (either one or the other).

This cluster pictured represents IMHO, each "letter-shaped hook" found on what at least this one SELLER calls an RTJ Cluster. Personal choice, I am sure but I will call the hooks by their "letter shape".

[bgp429]

I was in the towing business.  During the 60's - 80's a J hook around the axle and chain to the sling was secure and fast. During that era T hooks weren't sold to the towing industry. I doubt the slots on many vehicles would lock a T in for a horizontal  attachment.   Later on [90's] when rollbacks became available the trucks were equipped with cluster assemblies.  Sometimes T hooks were used on rollbacks if there was spoiler or valance interference but mostly J hooks or chain on all 4 corners. 

With car suspensions being more fragile and no steel bumpers neither are recommended today.

We also towed many new cars from rail yards that had T hooks torn out of the frame during transport. The damage had to be fixed before the vehicle could be sold.

[ExportMach]

As Im sure MCA members are aware, there is a story in this months Mustang Times about this topic.

[Crgjohnson]

The hooks are available from Mac's Tiedown

https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/products/forged-t-hook-340003?_pos=1&_sid=c43924300&_ss=r

Craig