Towbar fitting grade of bolts

[disco gazza]

Hi knowledgeable people,
Am about to fit a towbar and electrics to my FL2 and was wondering what grade bolts are required... 8.8,10.9 or 12.9.
The towbar is off a Freelander so its second hand and didnt come with the bolts or instructions.
Have found instructions on how to fit them from the web plus from Freel2 forum.
Some say 8.8 others say 10.9, so what is the requirement for us here in Australia.
Thanks

DG

[V8Ian]

Grade 8 should suffice, afterall the chassis of < 120 tonne road train prime movers are assembled with 8.8.
Just my opinion, they are a good compromise for bearing and shear strength.

[Homestar]

The requirement is ‘suitable for the intended application’ which is legal speak for ‘If it ever breaks it’s not our fault as we didn’t give you an actual spec to use’

I would say 8.8 or 10.9 would be suitable to be honest - it’s not like a Freelander can tow much anyway.

I remember day putting a homemade Towbar with cocky **** welds on the HQ Kingswood when I was a kid - he used some bolts he found in an ice cream container in the shed then towed with it for 20 years and it never fell off. [emoji16]

I think we overthink these things nowadays.

[Tombie]

Second using 8.8s

[Homestar]

Just had a look at the 10 year old Land Cruiser, a 4 year old Hilux and my New Dmax - All use grade 8.8. Cruiser is rated to 3000kg and the Dmax & Hilux to 3500 so I’m sure they’d be fine for a Freelander. [emoji106][emoji4]

[disco gazza]

Thanks guys, save me a trip down to Launceston, my local engineering place has 8.8 in stock [biggrin].

DG