by Kyle Buchter
Quadratec Trail Boss
Some look at aftermarket winch hook ideas as jewelry, while others see as a necessity. Either can really be true, and it all just depends on how you plan to use your winch.
If your vehicle is mainly going to be a daily driver/mall crawler, then look no further than the color-coordinated bling attached to the front of your Jeep. For a serious winch user though, aftermarket front hooks are quite safe and convenient. It comes down to personal preference.
I bought a Factor 55 Flat Link E over eight years ago and I am still using it today. This thing has been drug across rocks, thrown on the ground, trawled through the mud and pulled hundreds of times (yes, I winch a lot).
And it keeps working just fine.
The main reason I like this particular application is that it can fit over most tow hooks, allows the use of soft or steel shackles and is compatible with steel cable or synthetic roper. Plus, it stores flush against the fairlead.
If you do a fair amount of off-roading, then take away all of the marketing schemes and others who push you to buy what they have and take a hard look at what fits your needs. Winch hooks are normally rated for more than the winch can pull if used correctly. But there are problems with these hooks and they are usually caused by operator error.
Standard hooks can get crowded with too much, or improperly sized, gear stuffed into the thing. This can damage the hook as well as other recovery gear. They are also cumbersome to store on the front of the Jeep, often rattle and can cause fairlead damage. Additionally, conventional winch hooks can cut or fray recovery straps if not properly supervised during a recovery, and can even slip off those straps if the line gets too slack.
The Factor 55 Flatlink eliminates that traditional point on the end of the winch hook — instead utilizing a pear-shaped shackle mounting hole and safer, more secure, screw pin attachment resulting in a closed system winching operation.
This system ensures a constant connection as it does not allow strap loops to escape.
Each Flatline is engineered with machined 6000 series billet aluminum for unmatched strength as well as maximum durability. They weigh less that 26 ounces and have just 1.75 inches of thickness when folded flat.
Factor 55 rates them out at a maximum load rating of 16,000 pounds and says they are failure tested at over 40,000 pounds.
So are they worth the money?
Well, if you are going to off-road and participate in recovery situations if/when they happen, then very much so. For me, I won’t ever go back to a normal hook again. This isn't because I am afraid a hook will not hold up, but because I like the safety and convenience of close system winching.
Recommended Reading:
Lost Canyon NF-1 Truck Bed Tent Review