Should Snatch Block Be Used with Curt Front Hitch on 2023 Toyota Tacoma

Question:

I intend to use this hitch to mount a ~9,000lb winch for self recovery purposes. This hitch has a line pull rating of 9,000lb up to 45deg left or right, and 15deg up or down. The instructions suggest using a snatch block to route the return winch cable back to the tow hook or recovery eye. Do they mean the tow hook or recovery eye on the Tacoma, or the loops that are located on the hitch? Im asking because using a snatch block would almost double the amount of force the winch could place on the vehicle to ~18,000lb. Can the hitch as a whole i.e. not just the receiver tube take more than 9,000lb of force? And/or should I route the return cable back to the tow hook or recovery eyesinch on the truck frame crossmember to which the hitch is also mounted? If so, is Curt indicating that the frame crossmember on my Tacoma can take up to ~18,000lb of force through everything that attaches to it the winch, the hitch, the tow hook / recovery eye? Thank you for answering this somewhat complicated question!

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

The return line when using a snatch block on the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C31075 for a 2023 Toyota Tacoma should be attached to the tow hooks on the vehicle, not the loops on the receiver per the instructions.

The hitch as you mentioned has a line pull rating of 9,000 lbs which factors in using a snatch block. The snatch block actually lessens the load on the winch therefore allows for more capacity. If you were to use the hitch without a snatch block, the capaciy would be less.

I recommend using the ComeUp Off-Road Winch w/ Mounting Plate for 2" Hitches part # CU854768 for winching.

expert reply by: Conner L