I'm trying to get everything ready to launch and retrieve my first boat (~6000lbs fully loaded). My Durango R/T is a 2wd, so I'm worried about the possibility of getting stuck at the boat ramp. People are really nice around here; I also have AAA coverage, so I should be able to get help if it happens. The problem is, I can't find any "recovery" point on the front of the D.

On all my other cars, there is a factory-supplied eye-bolt that thread into an opening in the front bumper. I don't see any such opening on the D.

I also don't have factory tow hooks. The lower grill appears to be a one-piece design so I don't know how I'd retrofit the tow hooks either.

So what are my options? I don't want front hitch... Thanks!

 

What year?

 

2014 rt

 

Retrieving your boat each time with AAA on speed dial seems extreme and not so fun. As a boater myself, I have chuckled at the circus that can occur at a busy boat landing from boats coming off the trailer before getting in the water to a trailer detaching from the tow vehicle (yes, I have seen this). Having a tow truck on the ready to pull your Durango and 6000# boat out suggests you do not have the right towing setup. I have a Durango with V6, AWD and tow package and have occasionally had front wheels engage due to slickness on ramp or gravel the Durango is on when retrieving boat. My boat is about 4000# and I have had no issues. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

How bad is that boat ramp? I used to tow a boat with a Nissan Maxima and have seen people use minivans with no issues. The Durango is a heavy SUV, there ought to be a lot of traction on that back axle.

 

I wasn't planning to use AAA as primary boat retrieval lol. Just trying to be prepared IF it happens. The boat ramp I plan to use is in decent shape; the concrete surface looks really "jagged", but there are no loose gravel, so traction should be good.

There are other boat ramps that are in worse shape, with lots of sand and gravel. Once I saw a Jeep Wrangler getting stuck trying to pull out a small bass boat; after a while, someone offered help and tow him out. That got to to think, where do I hook up a tow strap if I ever get stuck?

 

As you have seen, starting in 2014, Dodge changed the lower front fascia which kind of removed the "holes" for tow hooks. I guess you could fashion some holes for the hooks to poke through, I hear that mesh is easy to cut but the trick is making it look nice. A little creativity would go a long way here. Anywho...

You can pretty much install any tow hook kit designed for a 2011+ Jeep Grand Cherokee. I myself have my eyes on these...

https://usa.chiefproducts.com.au/pro...ery-hook-front

Or these here on Amazon would work fine...


If you look on YouTube for "WK2 tow hook install" you can get a good idea of what's involved. Haven't done it yet myself but most Durango folk say once you get the fascia loosened up or removed altogether, it's about an hour or two install for the hooks themselves.

Most of the Jeep accessories retailers such as Quadratec and 4WD Hardware carry nice kits as well. Since the WK2 Grand Cherokee is basically the same vehicle as our WD Durangos, many many cool parts the Jeepers love will fit our Durangos, from lifts to tow hooks and beyond.

All that said, installing your own tow hooks seems like an awful lot of shenanigans to go through just so that you have a recovery point for the AAA man. If you find yourself in that unfortunate situation, I'm sure the tow truck operator will find another place to hook a winch cable to get you out. They are professionals.

 

Just went on the first boating trip yesterday. The Durango launched and retrieved the boat without any wheel slip!