Front Tow Hook(s) Gen6 Outback?

[Justin Time]

Anyone know where the front tow hook(s) is/ are situated on a 2021 - 2025 OB?  My old Gen 5 had a standard screw in tow bolt - hook which was placed in position behind a plastic cover on/in the front bumper.  But, there's no plastic cover on the front of the Gen 6 (however, there is one on the rear and a tow bolt-hook to screw in which is kept in the car's standard kit with the jack, etc.).

The owner's manual indicates that the front towing hook (it says hook not hookS) is located on the bottom of the body on the front left and right side of the vehicle. So left and front - that'll be hookS, then! I've checked and they are there, but they look flimsy and consist of holes drilled through a pressed triangular plate.  Even more confusing the manual reads "The front tie-down hooks are located between each of the front tires and the front bumper", which is basically the same as the 'tow hook(s)'! 

Maybe I've missed something?

[SOC Admin]

I would imagine they are for tying the car down when being transported rather than for towing behind a car on a rope or bar.
There is always the alternative to fit an aftermarket tow eye https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=tow

[Justin Time]

20 hours ago, SOC Admin said:

I would imagine they are for tying the car down when being transported rather than for towing behind a car on a rope or bar.
There is always the alternative to fit an aftermarket tow eye https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=tow

The reason why it is important for me is that I compete in, and support, events in the equestrian world, and attend lots of local agricultural shows too. Practically all of these are held on agricultural fields (meadows/pastures), and particularly with our climate we have plenty of rainfall and muddy gateways to enter and exit.

This year, for example, I was marshalling on an equestrian endurance event in the north of England. Just a regional/county event, where some 45 riders arrived in their horse boxes or towing horse trailers and parked on the field. As marshals, we helped them onto the grass field and parked them up. It had rained moderately the night before, and then rained over the course of the event (5 hours). There was only one gateway on and off the field. I'd had enough foresight to drive the OB off the field and park it along the lane during the event so as not to get trapped.

As the riders were returning, loaded up and then attempting to leave, the ground near the gateway became 'somme-like', and we had to tow some 20 plus vehicles off with a tractor. I learnt a number of lessons while hitching the chains to the front and undersides of those vehicles:

1. Most of the drivers didn't know what a tow-hook was, or where they might find one in their vehicle. You can picture the frenzy of people, in the rain, opening their trunks and unloading saddles, tack and the rest of their gear, in order to get to the underfloor space.

2. VAG groups cars (Audi and VW, etc.) have a LH thread on their tow hook/eyes! Why?

3. We were towing some pretty hard core 4x4s (Land cruisers and Defenders) off that field as the drivers seemed oblivious to how to use low-range and locking diffs. I'll not comment on the gender of the drivers, but given it was a 'horsey' event you might guess. Well we all have to learn!

Anyway - all got off safely, and despite the rain there was good cheer all around and no damage.

I hope my tyre choice and the Subaru's capabilities, will lead me to avoid the ignominy of sharing these experiences in the future. But for a supposed outdoor enthusiast's vehicle, this is a serious omission.

Further thought. We've had some flooding in the UK recently, and I've been aware from the news of stranded vehicles needing to be towed out of water. I'd imagine it would be much more of a challenge to try and attach a line to the Gen 6 tow eyes, underwater, than the traditional bumper bolt hooks in the front bumper, same goes for a vehicle stuck in deep mud - messy and tricky burrowing under the front bumper.

 Most vehicles still have the screw in bolt hook, so I wonder why Subaru abandoned this.

I wonder if I need to invest in a shackle(s) of some sort. Maybe a galvanised screw pin bow shackle - one that will fit the hole in the plate?