Tweaked something trying to pull with front tow hook

itr.#1446 · Aug 15, 2011

Yesterday I was pulling my 05 2500 out with my parents 2010 2500 because I was stuck on a part of our property because all this rain we have been getting. Hooked up to my truck nose to nose, crawled back till no slack on the line like a always do and pulled my truck out. Go to take off the rope and my truck was fine but my parents bumper got all tweaked! The side I had it the top of the bumper pulled out about a inch and half. They are both pissed at me now and was wondering if this is something that might get covered under warranty?

I noticed alot lately that all the newer trucks ford dodge chevy etc use suck thin metal for the bumpers compared to all the older trucks that used heavy guage stuff for the bumpers. I work at a plow shop installing plows so I noticed this over the years when taking off front and rear bumpers. My only concern tho is that I know the bumper is sandwiched between the toe hook and frame end. So I'm hoping that its not the frame.

So what do you guys think happened and what should i do? I am still shocked that just pulling my truck out bent something like that.

bulliesmt77 · Aug 15, 2011

Negative on the warranty idea. They would laugh you out of the dealership. Did the hook bend too?

itr.#1446 · Aug 15, 2011

Nope hook is straight just couldn't imagine what would happen if it was something heavier or more stuck....

70mach1 · Aug 15, 2011

You probably just slipped the bolts that holds the bumper to the frame. You should be able to loosen them and re-align the bumper. They have quite a bit of slop for alignment purposes usually.

12valvedriver · Aug 15, 2011

wow i hate to hear this...i could only imagine what they are thinking lol ive been there before

DesertInferno · Aug 15, 2011

Yep, your bolts just slipped, looseen the ones that go through the frame on the bumper bracket, straighten the bumper, and tighter... all good.

kevinb · Aug 16, 2011

Check your 05, i think that something is wrong... It got stuck :hehe:

Larry S. · Aug 22, 2011

I don't really know how the bumper would get pulled if he was pulling tow hook to tow hook. My tow hooks are tied directly to the frame. I suspect the rope slipped and caught on the bumper, then it did the damage. Good luck on finding the damage is just slipped bolts. These new bumpers are pretty weak. How do I know? I tweaked mine by getting a chain connected to a tow hook caught under a front tire when it went slack.

DesertInferno · Aug 22, 2011

The tow hooks are bolted to the same bracket your bumper is bolted too, so if that bracket moves when using the tow hook, it will tweak the bumper. Have seen it happen on a few trucks, a socket wrench and about 15 mins and it is all fixed... not a big deal really... just sayin.

tj200 · Aug 22, 2011

is it just me or does it seem like the 4th gen trucks have the hooks closer to the bumper or maybe inset further than the 3rd gen?

Larry S. · Aug 23, 2011

The tow hooks are bolted to the same bracket your bumper is bolted too

Good info. Don't know how I missed that those bolts were adjustable when I had my bumper off for installing my front receiver hitch. Maybe I can get my bumper back where it should be.

ADKhunter · Aug 23, 2011

Avoid this problem next time by spreading the weight out between both tow hooks. Run the rope to one side the straight over to the other side and hook the end back to the rope itself so it's like a triangle. I learned this after a few trial and error runs of breaking alot of stuff with my buddies lol. It's always best to spread out the load when pulling something out.

Hope you get it fixed though man sucks to hear that!

Tweaked something trying to pull with front tow hook

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