Combination tow hook and base plate system for tow bar connection

A tow hook apparatus for connecting a towed vehicle to a tow bar of a towing vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a pair of transversely opposed tow hook members connected to a towed vehicle, each tow hook member having a closed loop configuration;
• (b) a pair of base plate members for connection to a tow bar, each base plate member including a horizontally oriented spacer plate, a stiffener, a cross member interconnecting the base plate members, and a tow bar connector mechanism;
• and
• (c) a pair of connector mechanisms connecting the base plate members to the tow hook members, each connector mechanism including a connector plate, a spacer configured to be slidably insertable through the closed loop configuration of the respective tow hook member, and a fastening mechanism;
• and
• wherein the respective connector plate, spacer plate, and fastening mechanism cooperatively and removably secure the respective base plate member to the respective tow hook member.

A kit for connecting a towed vehicle to a tow bar of a towing vehicle, said kit comprising:

• (a) a pair of tow hook members for connecting to frame structure of a towed vehicle wherein each tow hook member has a closed loop configuration;
• (b) a pair of base plate members for connecting to a tow bar wherein each base plate member includes a horizontally oriented spacer plate, a stiffener, a cross member interconnecting the base plate members and having an adjustable length, and a tow bar connector mechanism;
• and
• (c) a pair of connector mechanisms connecting the base plate members to the tow hook members, each connector mechanism including a connector plate, a spacer configured to be slidably insertable through the closed loop configuration of the respective tow hook member, and a fastening mechanism;
• the respective connector plate, spacer plate, and fastening mechanism configured to cooperatively and removably secure the respective base plate member to the respective tow hook member.

A method of providing a dual purpose, tow hook/base plate system for connecting a towed vehicle to a tow bar, comprising the steps of:

• (a) connecting at least one tow hook having a closed loop configuration to the frame of a towed vehicle;
• (b) providing a base plate member for each said at least one tow hook wherein said base plate member has a spacer plate and a tow bar connector mechanism for attaching to a tow bar;
• and
• (c) providing a connector mechanism having a spacer that is insertable through said closed loop configuration, a connector plate and a fastening mechanism configured such that the respective tow hook is removably clamped between said connector plate and said spacer plate by said fastening mechanism.