edster

It looks like this is a shipping bracket that the dealer forgot to remove. It's bolted to the driver side tow hook, and sticks out quite a bit past the skid plate. It seems like if I bottomed out on the skid plate it would dig in or bend. I tried to remove it but I need to remove the skid plate to get it off. Might have been why it wasn't removed in the first place. It's on a 2018 G63. Thanks in advance!

pdeacon

Looks like the dealer missed that tie down hook. Next time its in for service ask if they will remove it. Depending on your relationship with the dealership they may not even charge you...especially if you purchased the vehicle from them. I don't see where leaving attached would cause any damage. That mounting point is pretty high up in the chassis. Good luck.

rudys_500

my guess is its a hook you need when pulling a Toyota

places

I still have mine, whatever it is.

Mopars

Me too

mrtonyn

Now that I look at it closely, it does seems to stick down too low and looks out of place.
The other one on opposite side is not very noticeable unless you bend down and look for it.

Can anyone confirm if it was designed for transporting the vehicle only and can be safely removed if desired ?

C240-Merc

I don’t believe it is a shipping bracket. My G63’s has one too and after a closer look it looks like it is intentionally that long so when you use it the tow line won’t hit your bumper.

mrtonyn

Makes sense about it being lower so tow strap will not hit bumper.
Why is the hook on the other side not as low? Maybe that is the transporting/shipping bracket??

edster

I'm pretty sure it's a shipping bracket. It's not coming off without removing the skid plate though. The part looks like it's a quality part but with a cheap paint job, it's already rusty. Plus it hangs down so far if I did hit anything it would get damaged or damage the tow hook that its bolted too. The tow hook on the other side is protected by the skid plate.

places

I believe it's called a towing eye. Looked it up in the owners manual.

mrtonyn

I was thinking the same, if I run over or hit something that hook is going to be damage first since it is hanging low.