When you end up in a situation where you need a tow in Atlanta, you do not want to run into the problem of the tow truck driver lacking a suitable location to hook up. To address this problem, a common but frequently misunderstood piece of roadside equipment is called into service, which is a tow eye.

As your trusted partners at Westside Atlanta Towing, we want to clarify any misunderstandings in regards to this crucial piece of equipment.

What is a Tow Eye?

A tow eye is an attachment point on your car’s chassis just for safe tow operations.

A tow hook is different from a tow eye in that a tow hook is a fixed metal loop located either in the front or rear of a truck/SUV, while a tow eye is most likely to be:

1. A Hidden Threaded Hole: Such a hole is masked with a small plastic cover, or “cap,” which can be found on your front or rear bumper.
2. A Separate Component: The actual tow bar attachment is a removable metal loop or bolt which screws into place when desired.

This not only ensures that the exterior of the vehicle remains clean and aerodynamic but also gives our operators a solid point to attach their strap or winch cable to.

Where Can I Find My Tow Eye?

In case your car has a removable tow eye, it will normally be found in one of the following locations:

• The glove compartment.
• Trunks, usually found in or around the spare tire or in a car’s toolkit.
• A small compartment in a side panel of a trunk.

Do all vehicles have a tow eye?

The quick answer is: No, not all cars come with this removable screw-in tow hook.

The nature of your towing point varies largely depending on your car model/manufacturer.

1. Vehicles with a Removable Tow Eye (Common in Modern Cars & Crossovers)

• Who usually has them: Sedans, hatchbacks, and crossovers offered by most automakers, especially European and Japanese brands, employ these systems to keep a car’s bumpers intact.
• The benefit: Offers a direct link with the vehicle frame, thus resisting damage in case of a tow.

2. Vehicles with Fixed Tow Hooks or Loops (Common in Trucks & SUVs)

• Who usually possesses them: Pickup trucks, larger sport utility vehicles, and off-road vehicles.
• The benefit: They are always available since they are fixed in place.

3. Vehicles which need Towing with Straps (Some Older Models)

• Some cars, especially old or less expensive models, do not have a marked tow hook. In these situations, skillful tow operators, such as those at Westside Atlanta Towing, have had to employ axle straps or control arms in tow operations, which takes a bit of touch to avoid scratch damage to a car.

Why Is Knowing This Important?

The improper use of suspension parts, axle shafts, and other car bodies not meant for towing can lead to serious and costly damage when attempting to pull or winch a car.

A tow eye or tow hook is the only way to tow or recover a car safely and properly.

Westside Atlanta Towing’s Pro-Tip:

Spend just 5 minutes today identifying where your tow hook/eye is located on your car and learning where your spare tow hook/eye is stashed in your vehicle. Trust us when we tell you this will make our job a whole lot easier if you need our assistance at a future roadside emergency!

Need a tow truck in the Atlanta area? Worrying about your tow points? Well, stop and call the professionals. Here at Westside Atlanta Towing, we have the knowledge and equipment to recover any make of vehicle. Call us 24/7 at 770-276-0159 for fast, reliable service!