Maverick hybrid towed out by a Subaru

[OleFordGuy]

the small holes are for securing the vehicle on a roll back wrecker with T hooks. It allows the truck to be tied down without using a J hook which can sometimes damage the steering rack assembly.

Oh I see thanks for that info

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[FischAutoTechGarten]

the small holes are for securing the vehicle on a roll back wrecker with T hooks. It allows the truck to be tied down without using a J hook which can sometimes damage the steering rack assembly.

Too bad a set of those isn't included in the $230 Commercial Roadside Assist Kit. Sounds like something that needs to be stored under the seat along with a jump pack, basic tool kit, blanket, candles, flashlight, etc...

 

[Redneck Garage]

Too bad a set of those isn't included in the $230 Commercial Roadside Assist Kit. Sounds like something that needs to be stored under the seat along with a jump pack, basic tool kit, blanket, candles, flashlight, etc...

Well it is standard equipment for any wrecker. It "could" be used to get the truck un-stuck however it wasn't designed for a huge amount of force - they are used for transport.

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

No pics. It really was not that spectacular but it has made me wary about pulling off the road even a little bit. Today, I was down by the river to go kayaking and I looked longingly at a shady little parking spot off the main parking lot where I could leave my truck and dog in her kennel for a few hours. I played it safe and parked on the gravel in a less shady spot. Poor dog.

Im curious how you got stuck. Mine hit DEEP mud and came out of it just fine.

 

[gte105u]

Too bad a set of those isn't included in the $230 Commercial Roadside Assist Kit. Sounds like something that needs to be stored under the seat along with a jump pack, basic tool kit, blanket, candles, flashlight, etc...

Sounds like a great way to destroy vehicles. Why would you have one of these in a roadside kit? It's not a recovery hook, it's used to hold a vehicle during transport.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

the small holes are for securing the vehicle on a roll back wrecker with T hooks. It allows the truck to be tied down without using a J hook which can sometimes damage the steering rack assembly.



Well it is standard equipment for any wrecker. It "could" be used to get the truck un-stuck however it wasn't designed for a huge amount of force - they are used for transport.

True. This one would be a good time for the Ford guy to chime in. What is the recommended apparatus for unsticking a non-FX4 (not equipped with tow hooks) Maverick? What is the alternative to sticking J-Hooks in those hole?

You use a loop of 1" webbing to go through the hole and around a large blunt object like a stick of oak. The tow strap hooks to the webbing. The sheet metal is the unibody and is plenty strong as long as you don't use small hooks that deform the metal.

Here is a premade nylon one. It is easier to pop the hood and stick something through the loop. The tow hooks on the FX4 are bolted to the same unibody but with big brackets to spread the load.

Is this what Ford recommends to feed thorough that hole from above?

Redneck and Delbert I appreciate your responses... Just seeing if the official Ford guy would respond to this. Would be good to know what to put in an emergency kit...

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Sounds like a great way to destroy vehicles. Why would you have one of these in a roadside kit? It's not a recovery hook, it's used to hold a vehicle during transport.

Yeah, Redneck Garage educated me... not a proper use. But my question stands... What does Ford recommend in terms of an easily installable apparatus for those non-FX4 equipped holes to pull out a stuck vehicle? What's the recommended Recovery Apparatus to install in these holes (a folded over 2" tow strap or heavy duty rope) to recover said Maverick?

There are many times a non-FX4 or non-Tremor Maverick owner would find himself stuck on the side of the road (weather, accident avoidance, breakdown, wife is driving alone and panics becuase a bee is in the car, etc...) and in a situation where the truck must be pulled out.

 

[Garyintexas]

People used to laugh when I pulled out old Broncos and Jeeps with my little 4x4 Samauri ….You could not get the 4x4 Samauri stuck if you tried.

I’m hoping this is satire. Having spent time in various countries and terrain all over the world tactically, seeing military tactical vehicles get stuck and recovered, Mother Nature and human venture can get any vehicle stuck under any number of usual & normal conditions and circumstances. Anyone who thinks otherwise hasn’t had many off the improved surface encounters (off road), there are more challenges out there than the sand, mud, ice & snow.

 

[gte105u]

Yeah, Redneck Garage educated me... not a proper use. But my question stands... What does Ford recommend in terms of an easily installable apparatus for those non-FX4 equipped holes to pull out a stuck vehicle? What's the recommended Recovery Apparatus to install in these holes (a folded over 2" tow strap or heavy duty rope) to recover said Maverick?

There are many times a non-FX4 or non-Tremor Maverick owner would find himself stuck on the side of the road (weather, accident avoidance, breakdown, wife is driving alone and panics becuase a bee is in the car, etc...) and in a situation where the truck must be pulled out.

I imagine Ford would say call a professional. I personally would use the tow hitch. If you don't have and are concerned about being stuck get one. Even if you don't do the wiring a hitch is handy access to a direct frame connection, and can utilize accessories that don't need to be wired (bed extender, bike rack, cargo basket, etc.).

 

[Bob The Builder]

Road tires work just fine

Until they don't.

 

[Z_ealot]

Have an AWD and after 30, 40 miles of off-road the advantages over a Hybrid I’ve found are not that monumental. AWD would not crawl over a very small log. Rear tires are not activated until there is wheel spinning.

My little Suzuki Samari 4X4 was far better off road over the Eco-Boost AWD. There’s a world of difference between AWD and 4X4. There are several off-road videos on this site that show the differences. Tires have a lot more to do in not getting stuck. I have one of the below mats thrown in the bed of my Maverick. Just in case I or others get stuck…range from $30 to $150. Two of the cheaper ones have always been adequate for my needs.

And that’s where the difference between the modes that regular AWD has access to and the fx4 has access to come into play….. crawled over plenty of logs and rocks (within reason) in my fx4 and all I had to do was switch over to sand mode which directs the computer to bias the power to the rear wheels, easy peezy for the maverick to crawl over a lot of things in that mode

 

[Delbert]

I bought a pair of these on ebay for $14. Along with some webbing I can safely hook up to the front of the vehicle without crawling underneath and little risk of scratching the bumper skin. I'll store them under the seat. I'll report how they work.

 

[Redneck Garage]

Having driven a wrecker many years ago .... every situation is different. If the vehicle is wrecked than anything goes. I had to pull a car out of a deep creek with the car underwater - that was fun LOL . Ive seen T hooks pulled out of the slots becoming a projectile from winching from them. if the truck isnt stuck too badly nylon straps are usually damage free. In the old days 2 j hooks on the rear axle worked well now there is much less to pull on. I remember once we had a Volvo that jumped a ditch and ended up in a ravine. the car had virtually no damage ....... until it was pulled out which certainly jacked it up - wouldnt be surprised if it wasnt totaled. The rear tow hitch as stated before is a great pull point.

 

[Baloo]

Okay, so I overestimate the capability of my new Maverick. Today, I got stuck on the shoulder of the road . The only way out was forward and up. My wife came to the rescue in our old Forester. Funny thing, the only place to hook up the chain to the Maverick was to the control arm of the front wheel. Imagine if it were muddy.

This thing needs towhooks or at least a tow point in the front. Get 'em before you get stuck. The conti road tire have got to go. as well. A/T tires ought to be standard.

You have a front wheel drive, basically a Prius with a bed. It is a commuter vehicle not a off road king.

 

[Edge Haley]

And that’s where the difference between the modes that regular AWD has access to and the fx4 has access to come into play….. crawled over plenty of logs and rocks (within reason) in my fx4 and all I had to do was switch over to sand mode which directs the computer to bias the power to the rear wheels, easy peezy for the maverick to crawl over a lot of things in that mode

The below video is what sold me off the EcoBoost AWD, ground clearance is just not there for my limited off-roading, but certainly it may be better than what the video shows.

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