Thread: Any thoughts on the pintle hook

I only tow with a pintle hook as my trailers weigh around 3.8 ton.
I use a hayman Reece tow bar, and pintle adaptor, with a jost pintle hook.
I've recovered vehicles with the pintle hook, but only with a drag chain and not a snatch recovery, and I wouldn't trust one for a snatch recovery.

Recently a friend was in Central Australia and the top locking flap (or whatever you call it) departed from the hook, the first he knew was when the trailer departed also. (If you like you can come over and see the remains of the NATO coupling.)

If was used being in a recovery when that happened, it would be no better than a tow ball, apart from the fact that the flap/lock wouldn't become a projectile like the balls do. It would just be the chain or rope whipping around and some schrapnel.

I don't "trust" anything in a snatch recovery look at the youtube videos of recoveries where the points are strong and the whole front comes off the truck (mostly vids from UK and US)

So.. You wait for the ground to dry?

I'm still struggling to get my head around the 'snatch straps' here which only seem to stretch 20 to 30% as oppose to a 'Kerr'/ snatch rope which expands up to 50%, making the recovery less brutal IMHO.... I remember also being told years ago that using a second sling with decent rating, pulling from the ends of the chassis rail was considered better (though this can introduce more objects to become projectiles...). If I get to the point where I have to snatch, I will pull off the two heavy (12mm) side plates of the tow bar assy, spreading the load thru the side plates and xmember. Even then, I'd rather an hour of sweat with the Tirfor than a failed snatch!! Let us all know what you decide!

Like that dropper plate Ron!

Originally Posted by thedrover

So.. You wait for the ground to dry?

nope have a winch, chains and tow rope also have a snatch strap but it is only for light recovery

PS: also a pick and shovel