So what is a D3 rated recovery point?

[Garry]

Hi

I have tried the search function and found no real answers to my query

I only have the standard LR recovery / tow point at the front but I was informed it was not a rated recovery point for snatching

So does anyone have a D3 rated front recovery / snatch point?

G

[ADMIRAL]

Hi

I have tried the search function and found no real answers to my query

I only have the standard LR recovery / tow point at the front but I was informed it was not a rated recovery point for snatching

So does anyone have a D3 rated front recovery / snatch point?

G

I seem to recall seeing 6 tonnes somewhere. Looking at ' the Big lift ', the LR publicity stunt, where they hang a line of D3's off each other, I would say that is conservative. I don't believe you will have a problem with either the front or rear recovery point ratings. Others better informed may be able to confirm the ratings.

[WhiteD3]

The front hook is a tie down point only or meant to be used to winch the Disco onto a flat bed truck. Having said that, I've been recovered a couple of times via a snatch strap, using the front hook.

[DiscoWeb]

Hi

I have tried the search function and found no real answers to my query

I only have the standard LR recovery / tow point at the front but I was informed it was not a rated recovery point for snatching

So does anyone have a D3 rated front recovery / snatch point?

G

Garry,

I recall there being discussions about this previously and I seem to recall that the warning or advice from LR about the front hook not being a rated recovery/snatch point is "arse" covering from a legal liability point of view.

The front tie down hook can safely be used and has been by me and many, many others for both snatch and winch recoveries.

I think proof is in the usage and most who use their D3 off road seem to have no problems relying on this as a front recovery point.

If you want more detail have another search through previous posts as I am sure some detailed info on loading etc had been discussed.

Regards,

George

[MartyJB]

From the FAQ Sticky - a great place to find lots of info;
Does the car have recovery points?
Yes, the hooks front and rear under plastic covers, removed with a coin (see manual) are rated to the vehicle's GCM (Gross Combination Mass, GVM + GTM, so over 6000kg) and are used for recovery.

[rmp]

Thank you Marty! The FAQ is not there for decoration.

[Celtoid]

Yup read the FAQs, but are D3s and 4s the same in this respect?

Looking at both recovery points on my D4 doesn't instil a sense that they are equally rated.

The back hitch/recovery point looks like you could tow a Super Tanker....the front looks like a tie down point.

Has each point, as in front and back been checked for rating?

Cheers,

Kev.

[Garry]

Hello again

I appreciate that there is a hoop there and while it may take 6 tonnes I was informed it was not a rated snatch point

I was I suppose more interested to see if anyone had done anything different with regards to a aftermarket recovery point, like the hooks or such like I see on other vehicles

I believe the standard point is adequate but I felt I needed to ask the question as for the sake of a few dollars I could increase the safety of being snatched or snatching others

G

[rmp]

Given a snatch point could conceivably be needed to withstand a load of 3x the vehicle GVM or even more nobody will rate one.

The fact is the point is the same on the D3/D4 and as per FAQ it is rated to GCM. If you snatch more than that then you're into dangerous territory and will probably have broken your strap.

The point is not just a tiedown.

Many people use it as a recovery point, myself included.

Unless you wish to pay for independent testing at great cost this is as good as it gets.

[Garry]

Unless you wish to pay for independent testing at great cost this is as good as it gets.

I think that is the statement I was looking for, I know you know your Landrovers

I certainly get a feeling from the responses so far and although I feel I asked a stupid question I now can with certainty argue my case against drilling the chassis and putting those hooks on

Thanks again for all the feedback

G

[Celtoid]

Given a snatch point could conceivably be needed to withstand a load of 3x the vehicle GVM or even more nobody will rate one.

The fact is the point is the same on the D3/D4 and as per FAQ it is rated to GCM. If you snatch more than that then you're into dangerous territory and will probably have broken your strap.

The point is not just a tiedown.

Many people use it as a recovery point, myself included.

Unless you wish to pay for independent testing at great cost this is as good as it gets.

Nope, if they've been given a good workout thus far with no issue, I'm happy with that. D3s been around since 2004, right?, something would have surfaced by now if it wasn't the case. D4 is the same?, so it's fine.

Cheers.

Kev.

[rmp]

Garry - no, it wasn't a stupid question at all, it was a very smart one to do with safety. Sorry if my reply and others were a bit short, wasn't the intention.

I should add that the standard caveats about recovery applies. You're most at risk during a snatch, and if the casualty vehicle isn't moving then do something to free it rather than just keep on pulling and pulling.

Just because the points are strong does not mean the recovery will be safe. This may be obvious to some readers but I assure you it is not obvious to others who consider using the correct equipment some sort of magic license to do whatever silliness they choose with impunity.

Celtoid yes your logic is sound, there have been no reports of problems with the points. One could always argue there's a first time, but you can also argue nothing is ever perfectly safe, such as the train I am sitting on right now may fail and crash. I'm taking that risk though, just as offroading and recovery is a considered risk. But I'd best post this quick just in case ;-)

If you recover safely the recovery point can fail and nobody gets killed unless you're very unlucky.

Even if you did pay for independent testing you'd get a carefully qualified report to avoid anyone saying "yes, you can snatch off these".

[CSBrisie]

Just FYI, back in 2007 (when I bought my D3) I ended up calling LR UK on this issue and after much effort got through to one of the guys arranging the G4 Challenge. He confirmed that LR Legal eagles (and most other manufacturers) wont use the term "rated" as there are different interpretations globally (in legal terms) what that might mean. Its that simple. The handbook refers to each point as "tow points", again to reduce liability.

He then said whilst he couldnt put it in writing LR had advised G4 entrants that independent testing indicated that Front and Back were "rated" to a minimum of 6 tonnes each. In all G4 Challenges there had never been a failure of either recovery point - and no customer complaint had ever been recorded at that time globally by LR UK. The front point on the Disco, RRS and RRV are recovery points not just shipping tie down points. In his words "this is as good an answer as you are ever going to get".

Finally, gghaggis did fit (for competition work, as the above ofcourse doesnt satisfy scrutineers!) after market points to his old D3. Photos were on this site I think ages ago. Suspect he will see this and respond...

[gghaggis]

I fitted additional recovery points to the front of my D3 for scrutineering purposes back in 2006. This was after many an argument with the chief scrutineer, LRE in England and myself. The short version was:

* LRE believe the factory points safe to 6 tonne for recovery - they don't rate the rear one higher because the limiting factor is the bar it is attached to, not the hook per se.

* The chief scrutineer here in WA wanted a hook that was "rated" at a min of 4 tonne. As I pointed out, there was no "rating requirement" for the way it was attached to the vehicle (or more precisely, what the shock load on the supporting structure is). It's just "assumed" to be greater than the hook.

So I attached a 4 tonne recovery hook with 4 high tensile M8 bolts to the same bar the front recovery hook was on. We never used it, as the rating for the LR one was (in my eyes) higher.

Have never heard of one failing, and we use ours a lot!

Cheers,

Gordon

[rmp]

That's funny/sad...I can just imagine the conversation. Must have been immensely frustrating.

These recovery points are in fact a major differentiator for the Disco vs say the Touareg, which has a pathetic screw-in that I certainly wouldn't want to put any stress on. If a modern vehicle doesn't have a recovery point adding one is not usually simple, unlike the days gone by when there were two huge great chassis rails sticking out waiting for a drill.