Is tow hook needed?

[anaisgarden90]

I got my 2020 Tiguan SE stuck in some soft mud off a gravel road but the front tires weren't buried too deep. Tow truck pulled it out from the rear using a cable while I had it in neutral. Heard a quick nopise but nothing since. I didn't think to use the screw-in tow hook either anyone know if that's better for situations like this, or is rear pulling usually fine?

 

[superbear]

Rear pulling is usually fine, especially if done gently and the tow points are solid, which they typically are on SUVs like the Tiguan. The screw-in tow hook is more for controlled, low-angle pulls from the front , especially if youre stuck head-in. The quick noise you heard could've just been the cable tightening or a bit of suspension movement, but keep an eye (and ear lol) out for anything unusual while driving just in case

 

[Alan]

For a simple recovery from light mud, pulling from the rear is usually fine if the tow operator used the proper recovery points. The screw-in tow hook is handy because it gives a designated attachment point but one quick pull on relatively flat ground typically isn't a big deal. I'd just keep an ear out for any new noises or handling changes.