[sti robot]

What kind of video will I get out of this: YouTube - tow hook camera mount test run

What this is good for: autox, backroads, a camera you don't care that much about.
What is it not good for: on the track (you need the tow hook operational duh!), in the dirt (might work, but the camera might die), snow (see dirt).

Warning: Some people have claimed that in an accident the tow hook will prevent the airbags from deploying properly. I haven't tested this, be warned that this may or may not be the case and there is some risk involved with this.

What will you need: The factory tow hook out of the emergency tool kit in the trunk of your car, a ball head tripod camera mount, an appropriately threaded bolt that is at least 1 1/2 inches in length, a locking nut that matches said bolt, two washers of appropriate size, the cheapest camera you own that takes video, rope/string/twine for a camera backup tether (there are two holes in the bumper support that will make this work).




What tools will i need: hands, vice grips, box wrench that matches the above nut/bolt (it was a 14mm for me), etc.

Where the heck is the tow hook?




Steps:

1. Get the tow hook out of your trunk (see above)
2. Assemble the tow hook, bolt, nut and two washers as shown (for security you may wish to over tighten and dimple the washers for security. You may also want to thread them through a rubber spacer that you craft on your own):



3. Add the bottom part of the tripod head.



4. Remove the foglight cover (passenger side) (yank it...it comes out pretty easily):





5. Carefully screw the tow hook and assembly into the tow hook hole:



6. You may need to use vice grips to get it the rest of the way.



7. Put the camera on the top part of the tripod head and then assemble it onto the bottom part/mount.



You may also want to use a level so you don't end up with a crooked video like me



8. Enjoy!

[WRBlueMeanieWRXSTi]

Very cool!!

[STiAholic05]

Wow....nice write up man! My roomates gonna laugh when he comes home one night and sees his camera mounted to the front of my car!!!

+1 for the best (non track) use of the tow hook I have ever seen!!!

[ZondaF]

That's pretty cool. Good thinking.

[mmetalmilitiaa]

awesome idea man

[amg destroyer]

That's a pretty cool idea. Any vids from it?

[Tbagger]

THE best investement so far for my auto-x, besides my KICK-ASS dunlop star specs, is my little HERO camera.

This thing rules. 60mins of video, about 15 different attachment thingies that come with it and some 3m sticky stuff so I can make perminent mounts. Not to mention the suction cup allows you to put this thing pretty much ANYWHERE.

Motorsports HERO information page

I unfortunetly didn't check my SD card before I left for my last auto-x so I just have a little 43 second video.

Check it out
YouTube - Autocross

[fullerton]

I like the idea. I have a feeling my camera would not survive 115mph+ right there.

[sti robot]

^ This abracious person keeps jumping all over my threads...

[STi_FTW]

Awesome writeup m8. I'll have to put this to use sometime. Does anyone know if the "ball head camera mount" can be sourced locally?

[fullerton]

Originally Posted by sti robot

^ This abracious person keeps jumping all over my threads...

Hey! I'm in EVERYONE's threads.

[sti robot]

YouTube - tow hook camera mount night test

Nothing much to see at night. It is secure enough to go around sweeping on and off ramps and over railroad tracks though.

Tomorrow, barring weather problems I will get some autox videos for you guys.

[sti robot]

some autox videos for your perusal:

YouTube - cdc autox 8-30-08 61.77 plus 1
YouTube - cdc autox 8-30-08 afternoon run with two bad overshoots
YouTube - cdc autox 8-30-08 afternoon cone swallow
YouTube - cdc autox 8-30-08 morning best run
YouTube - cdc autox 8-30-08 Bowie

[fullerton]

pretty cool view.

would look amazing with a fisheye lens i bet.

[wsirianni]

im in love with this idea.... where can i get that mount from