Hundreds Of Products Ready Today. Dispatch/Collection Customer Question: How Do I Fit And Install a Universal Tow Strap?
This is one of the most common questions we get from customers, and it usually comes up right after a tow strap arrives in the post. You open the box, see the strap, and then realise there is no bolt, no fitting kit, and no obvious instructions on where it should go. It is completely understandable why this causes confusion, especially if it is your first time fitting one.
The reality is that fitting a tow strap is simple once you understand what it is designed to do and how it is meant to be mounted. Universal tow straps are not vehicle-specific parts, and because of that, there is no single fitting method that works for every car. The correct installation depends on your vehicle, where the structural towing points are located, and how the car is being used, whether that is on the road, at track days, or in competition.
In this guide, we are answering the question properly rather than giving a quick one line answer. We will explain what a tow strap is actually for, why most quality tow straps are supplied without bolts, where they should be mounted, and which fitting methods are considered correct and safe. We will also cover the common mistakes we see people make, often by copying cosmetic installs found online that look good but would fail instantly under real recovery load.
Our aim is to give you the confidence to fit your tow strap correctly the first time. When installed properly, a tow strap is a simple but important safety item that helps marshals recover your car quickly and safely without causing damage.
What a Tow Strap Is Designed to Do
A tow strap is a clearly visible recovery point. Its job is simple. It allows marshals or recovery vehicles to safely pull your car out of gravel, grass, or a recovery area if you stop on circuit. It is not decorative and it is not designed to replace a structural towing eye on its own.
The strap itself must always be attached to a genuine structural towing point on the car. The strap is there to make that towing point visible and accessible quickly, especially in motorsport environments where time and safety matter. When fitted correctly, it allows recovery crews to do their job without damaging your car or putting themselves at risk.
Why Most Tow Straps Are Supplied Without Bolts
One of the first things customers notice is that most universal tow straps, including popular options from brands like LUKE and TRS, are supplied without bolts or fixings. This is intentional and correct.
There is no single bolt that suits every vehicle. Different cars use different thread sizes, different bolt lengths, and different mounting depths. Supplying a universal bolt would almost always result in an incorrect or unsafe installation on many cars. The strap is the visible recovery aid. The fixing hardware must be matched to the vehicle it is being fitted to.
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Common and Correct Ways to Fit a Tow Strap
There are a few proven and accepted ways to fit a universal tow strap. The correct method depends on your vehicle, how it is used, and what mounting points are available. Below are the most common and safest approaches.
Using the Factory Tow Eye Mounting Point
Many road cars are fitted with a factory tow eye thread hidden behind a small cover in the front or rear bumper. This thread is designed by the manufacturer to accept a metal screw in towing eye and is mounted into a structural part of the chassis or crash structure.
In this setup, the usual method is to remove the factory towing eye and replace it with a correctly sized high tensile bolt. This bolt passes through the tow strap eye or mounting plate and threads directly into the factory tow eye mounting point. The bolt must match the correct thread size and length for the vehicle.
The tow strap should not be clamped rigidly. It needs a small amount of movement so that the load is applied smoothly during recovery, rather than pulling at an awkward angle or putting unnecessary stress on the fixing point.
Mounting to a Chassis or Subframe Point
If the factory tow eye is not accessible, or is positioned poorly for where you want the strap to sit, another common option is mounting the tow strap to a reinforced chassis point, subframe, or crash bar.
This method typically uses a high tensile bolt along with a reinforced mounting hole or bracket. In some cases, a backing plate is used to help spread the load across a larger area. This approach is very common on track focused builds and can be a strong and reliable solution when done correctly.
Motorsport Specific Tow Points
On competition cars, tow straps are often mounted to dedicated motorsport tow points. These may include welded towing eyes, bolted towing tabs, or purpose made tow points built into a roll cage or front structure.
In these cases, the strap is simply bolted directly to the designed towing point using appropriate motorsport grade hardware. These setups are intended for repeated recovery use and are commonly seen in race and rally cars.
What Should Never Be Done
There are a few mistakes we see time and time again, and they are worth making very clear.
A tow strap should never be bolted to a plastic bumper or bumper skin. It should not be attached to thin sheet metal, non structural brackets, or cosmetic mounting points. Using low grade bolts or incorrect thread engagement is also unsafe.
Fitting a tow strap purely for appearance, without a real towing point behind it, is another common mistake. While it may look fine in photos, it can fail instantly under load and potentially cause damage or injury.
Is Using the Factory Tow Eye Thread Actually Correct
This is one of the most common follow up questions we get, and the answer is yes, it can be correct.
Bolting a tow strap into the factory tow eye thread is a widely used solution on road cars that see track days and sprint events. This is only correct if the thread is a genuine towing point, the correct bolt size and length are used, a high tensile bolt is fitted, and the strap is not clamped solid.
When installed properly, this setup is safe, functional, and accepted by most track day organisers.
Why Tow Straps Are Used Instead of Fixed Metal Towing Eyes
Tow straps offer several practical advantages over fixed metal towing eyes. They fold away when not in use, reducing the risk of injury if someone walks into them. They are highly visible, making them easy for marshals to spot quickly, and they are accepted by most track day and sprint organisers.
This is why flexible tow straps from brands like LUKE and TRS are so popular across road, track, and competition cars.
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If You Are Unsure, Ask Before Fitting
Every car is different, and there is no shame in double checking before you fit a tow strap. If you are unsure whether your factory tow eye thread is suitable, or which mounting point is best for your vehicle, it is always worth asking before installation.
If you contact us with your vehicle make and model, whether the strap is for the front or rear, and how the car will be used, we can point you in the right direction. Getting it right the first time avoids damage, frustration, and unsafe installations.
Final Thoughts
Tow strap installation does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be done properly. The key thing to remember is that the strap is only as strong as the point it is mounted to. When fitted to a genuine structural towing point with the correct hardware, a tow strap is a simple and effective safety item for road and track use.
Hopefully this guide clears up the confusion we see so often and helps you fit your tow strap with confidence rather than guessing or copying cosmetic installs seen online.