Front recovery hooks for 4WD / Plastic Bumper Cap

[bluetooth44]

Ford lists front recovery hooks as standard equipment on the 4WD. While doing a quick look under the front bumper area, I did not see any. The front facia area does not have any access slots. 2011 Ford EX XLT.

 

[MJN]

There is a small plug in passenger side bumber cover at front of vehicle. Pops out with a screw driver and kind of screws back in. Plug removed gives access to a threaded hole. Actual recovery hook is in spare tire location in back. You thread it in when needed I guess.

 

[Terry H]

thanks for the info guys! sounds like a pain, but I could see there was no way to put a hook under all that plastic nose, when the tow chain tightened up it would tear up stuff.
there is a permanent hook on the rear drivers side, I did find that but was giving up on a front one.

 

[xknoch]

Threaded "eye" bolt

There is a small plug in passenger side bumber cover at front of vehicle. Pops out with a screw driver and kind of screws back in. Plug removed gives access to a threaded hole. Actual recovery hook is in spare tire location in back. You thread it in when needed I guess.

I can't remember if it was my Volvo or my Land Rover that used that? Being Ford bought both and obtained several other items also, it makes sense.

 

[peterk9]

There is a small plug in passenger side bumber cover at front of vehicle. Pops out with a screw driver and kind of screws back in. Plug removed gives access to a threaded hole. Actual recovery hook is in spare tire location in back. You thread it in when needed I guess.

Thank you for clearing that up. That is similar to what I had in the Highlander. I asked the salesman about that cover a couple of months ago and asked if it was for the tow hook. He said that it was an access for the technicians in case of total power failure so that they could get the hood open. Now that I have my Ex it does show a tow hook as part of the equipment. I'll point this out to him on my next visit.

 

[Stang Cobra]

What is the Plastic Cap on Front Bumper?

Does anyone know what this cap on the front bumper is for? I'm tempted to open it to see inside, but I don't want to screw anything up. LOL

 

[G37RRaiders]

your tow hook

 

[Stang Cobra]

Oh. Thanks Raider.

 

[peterk9]

your tow hook

That is where you screw in the tow hook that you will find in the back along with your jack etc.

 

[drober30]

No way, is that true?

I thought it was the sensor for parallel parking.

 

[RandyH2]

It is true. The sensors for parking are just on the outer edge of the bumper, one per side. Now if they would just give us data from those front sensors rather than limtiing it to the parallel park system and adaptive cruise control.

 

[GTMD]

With all the plastic facia there is not a place to attach for tow.You can purchase the tow eyebolt at your dealer for $12.00.

I would advise reading about towing your X in the owners manual.

 

[drober30]

With all the plastic facia there is not a place to attach for tow.You can purchase the tow eyebolt at your dealer for $12.00.

I would advise reading about towing your X in the owners manual.

I read my manual, I always do, but I see no detailed information. I see that it mentions recovery hook when removing the jack but does not explain what it is or how it's installed.

 

[donm527]

The Front Sensing System

http://www.fordaccessoriesstore.com/GfaWeb/catalog.do?prodInfo=Explorer~2011~VAS4Z_15A866_A

 

[Stang Cobra]

I thought this question would be resolved quickly, but I'm getting a variety of answers. LOL So confused...

 

[donm527]

The Front Sensing System

http://www.fordaccessoriesstore.com/GfaWeb/catalog.do?prodInfo=Explorer~2011~VAS4Z_15A866_A

http://www.echomaster.com/p-parking-sensors.html

I thought this question would be resolved quickly, but I'm getting a variety of answers. LOL So confused...

 

[BethesdaEC]

I found the tow hook. There is also a folding wheel chock and a mini funnel for the capless fuel system around the perimeter of the spare wheel well.

 

[peterk9]

With all the plastic facia there is not a place to attach for tow.You can purchase the tow eyebolt at your dealer for $12.00.

I would advise reading about towing your X in the owners manual.

The tow eyebolt is standard equipment and comes with the vehicle.

 

[peterk9]

I thought this question would be resolved quickly, but I'm getting a variety of answers. LOL So confused...

No need for confusion. It has nothing to do with the sensors. When you have to get towed from the front, you flip the plastic cover open and screw in the tow eyebolt that came with the vehicle. I had the same setup on my '09 Highlander.

 

[drober30]

Well, this was a great question and thread then because I had no idea!

The manual does not explain this!