Maverick Hybrid recovery points, what to do when stuck?

[GPSMan]

Third, you need to get one of these shockingly inexpensive specially designed devices that goes into the specially designed hole.

Fourth, use the "soft shackle" of your choice to attach soft tow strap of your choice.

You'

You can use something like that if slightly stuck but probably not down to the floor boards buried.
If you do get them invest in a 8-10ft bridle, a couple soft shackles and only do straight pulls or you could tweak the unibody.
IMHO the same goes for the FX4 and Tremor front hooks. I carry a 3/4"X10ft nylon bridle, 2 soft shackles and a 7/8"X20ft nylon kinetic tow rope.
Good enough for light/medium recovery with careful operators.

Pretty much nailed it if you take my photos above and arrange it like this photo above. But don't use the metal shakles shown by X on the above.

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[fossil]

Pretty much nailed it if you take my photos above and arrange it like this photo above. But don't use the metal shakles shown by X on the above.

yeah I know about the possible shackle danger but for some jeepers etc that's all the tow hook they have and all I have at the rear, 5/8". Safe if bolted to truck/

 

[GPSMan]

For the record, I think metal shackles if over-rated are perfectly safe on the vehicle. Just not on strap to strap. My gut trusts metal more than this spider web filament space age material but I've winched pretty heavy loads with very thin synthetic winch line and been impressed.

 

[m5040]

Okay.

First, you all need to improve your skills at internet searching.

Second, you all need to ask what would a tow truck do?

Third, you need to get one of these shockingly inexpensive specially designed devices that goes into the specially designed hole.

Fourth, use the "soft shackle" of your choice to attach soft tow strap of your choice.

You're welcome.

You show a lot of nice pictures GPSMan but please slow down and read Ford's instructions, NO METAL ENDS. That means your inexpensive Grade 70 (hardened METAL) special end will violate Ford's restrictions and any and all damage to your vehicle's frame is on you from here on out.
Some people want to use the correct tool for the job and not a pipe wrench on the lug nuts stunt.
The Mavericks front recover holes are blind so a synthetic shackle again, won't work.

 

[fossil]

You show a lot of nice pictures GPSMan but please slow down and read Ford's instructions, NO METAL ENDS. That means your inexpensive Grade 70 (hardened METAL) special end will violate Ford's restrictions and any and all damage to your vehicle's frame is on you from here on out.
Some people want to use the correct tool for the job and not a pipe wrench on the lug nuts stunt.
The Mavericks front recover holes are blind so a synthetic shackle again, won't work.

I would think ultimately that the correct tool for the job in this case would be a FX4 or a Tremor. The hybrid isn't designed for off road use in any Ford literature I've seen. We all know that and are trying to provide a work around for your need.
I suggest you slow down and look at the tool and imagine how it would function. It's designed to lock into the hole under tension and spread the load over a larger area. In this case a soft shackle would go into the oval shaped hole and attach to the tow rope.

The actual text in Ford's recommends in their instructions is "do not use chains, cables or tow straps with metal hook ends".

 

[fossil]

Third, you need to get one of these shockingly inexpensive specially designed devices that goes into the specially designed hole.

Could you provide a link for the tow hook. I'd like to add a couple to my kit.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

The hybrid isn't designed for off road use in any Ford literature I've seen.

FWIW, my interest in this subject has nothing to do with going off-road (intentionally), it's more of a chance that those of us who live "up north" have the possibility of putting a vehicle in the ditch, and how best to get it out without damage.

50 years of driving (and a lot of less-capable vehicles) I haven't put one in the ditch yet, but there's always the chance.

HRG

 

[Jeff D.]

I would think ultimately that the correct tool for the job in this case would be a FX4 or a Tremor. The hybrid isn't designed for off road use in any Ford literature I've seen.

I'm not disputing this claim as it could be true.

I'm watching this thread with interest as I'm concerned about getting stuck in snow, and all vehicles have to deal with that in our area, regardless of our best intentions.

Usually dosn't take much tugging though. Just small tug often is enough. I do like that Y shaped strap, especially if it can equalize the load to both straps attached to the truck.

I'll be interested in seeing what the attaching point looks like, if those already displayed are incorrect.

Oop. Looks like HRG beat me to it.

 

[not null]

Calling @Ford Motor Company, can you solve a mystery about the Winching Holes?
According to the manual "Do not use chains, cables or tow straps with metal hook ends." is specified for both using the Winching Holes and the Recovery Hooks.

• If that's correct, what do you use to go into the Winching Holes if not a metal hook end?
• Or could that be a miscommunication/misprint and a metal hook is required to fit into the Winching Holes?

Here's a link to the manual:
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...ingEnabled=False&userMarket=USA&buildtype=web

And a couple of threads looking for advice:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/36528/
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/8054/
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/26514/
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/38829/

Thanks!

 

[GPSMan]

You show a lot of nice pictures GPSMan but please slow down and read Ford's instructions, NO METAL ENDS. That means your inexpensive Grade 70 (hardened METAL) special end will violate Ford's restrictions and any and all damage to your vehicle's frame is on you from here on out.
Some people want to use the correct tool for the job and not a pipe wrench on the lug nuts stunt.
The Mavericks front recover holes are blind so a synthetic shackle again, won't work.

When reading the manual correctly, it does not say what you think it says. But the manual is poorly worded so I can understand your, and other's confusion. This "R" type attachment is actually nick/named a "Ford" recovery hook in some circles. Also compatible with some GM vehicles and it is indeed the exact proper tool for this job. I'll probably not need it, but I will be adding these to my glove box.

The manual says don't attach something like this directly to the holes. And that's all it says. I agree Ford left out important details and the devil is in the details. But for liability reasons they literally want YOU to figure things out on your own. If it were not law, they would not print tire pressures you should use either.

 

[icegradner]

I would think ultimately that the correct tool for the job in this case would be a FX4 or a Tremor. The hybrid isn't designed for off road use in any Ford literature I've seen.

Which would be fine, if off road driving was the only time someone might need to use a recovery device. Hitting black ice and sliding off pavement, or if you get stuck in snow on a road that isn't plowed is another possibility for the need. Waiting for a tow truck is fine, if they can get there.

 

[Optimus]

The average person isn’t going to know what an R-hook, bridle, or soft shackle are, much less how to use them in tandem with the actual tow strap. These suggestions involve connecting AT LEAST 4 different things together. Sure, this might be easy for a tow truck driver or someone knowledgeable in off-road recovery, but not the average person whom otherwise just expects to use a tow strap on a tow hook.

The manual gives zero indication on what should be done, short of basically saying “here are your recovery points but don’t put anything in them!” Nor did Ford provide hardware to install in these vague recovery points.

As a hybrid owner, this has nothing to do with being off-road. This has to do with moving a vehicle that is unable to do so (such as stuck in snow or on icy spot, or can’t be driven under it’s own power), or helping out another vehicle for the same reason. Sure, “use the hitch” from the rear, provided you even have one. And if it’s a hybrid, you have a very low “tow rating” no where near the weight of the truck. Even our Prius has a removable threaded eye that goes through a slot in the front bumper cover.

Owners shouldn’t need to be tow truck experts to handle this.

 

[GPSMan]

The worry here has nothing to do with damaging the truck. It is 100% about eliminating flying metal objects.

 

[GPSMan]

Which would be fine, if off road driving was the only time someone might need to use a recovery device. Hitting black ice and sliding off pavement, or if you get stuck in snow on a road that isn't plowed is another possibility for the need. Waiting for a tow truck is fine, if they can get there.

What I posted; the R hook bracket, is what a tow truck will carry and what a tow truck will use when you call them.

P.S. at under $10 each it is a crime Ford did not include these in the glove box or jack kit.

 

[icegradner]

And if it’s a hybrid, you have a very low “tow rating” no where near the weight of the truck.

Keep in mind the class of hitch on the Maverick is the same regardless of the tow rating of your vehicle. So if someone needs to recover your Maverick from the rear the hitch should be fine for pulling you out. Obviously I would be cautious trying to pull another vehicle out with the hitch, but recovery really isn't the same as towing.

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