tow hitch points - defender

[Jimmy]

Where do people have tow hitch points on their defenders??

Questions:

Can you 'snatch' with a standard landrover tow-ball (or will it snap), can you use those handle things or the steel rings mounted underneath to the chasis. What about the bull-bar (if standard steel landrover model)?

I snatched a patrol from the towball at Moreton on the weekend, though I've heard stories of them snapping off and killing people.

pics, theories or even ideas would be great.

cheers
Jimmy

[scrambler]

Where do people have tow hitch points on their defenders??

Questions:

Can you 'snatch' with a standard landrover tow-ball (or will it snap), can you use those handle things or the steel rings mounted underneath to the chasis. What about the bull-bar (if standard steel landrover model)?

I snatched a patrol from the towball at Moreton on the weekend, though I've heard stories of them snapping off and killing people.

pics, theories or even ideas would be great.

cheers
Jimmy


Well if theories will do...

The balls are rated to 3.5 T max. You can exceed that in a snatching exercise, but I think slippage is likely to be more of a problem. I'd be removing the ball and snatching with a rated shackle through the hitch receiver - nothing to slip then.

Front snatch points are bolted to the chassis rails one way or another - either one of those hooks (ideally with a retaining clip) or my Stage 1 has rings in the bullbar bracket, similar to Army Series III lifting rings.

Steel rings are tie-down points and not rated.

Don't even DREAM of snatching with the handles, unless you are just doing it to remove them... no, not even then!

While on the point of locations, though, what would people think about snatching with a pintle hook/ NATO hitch?

[weeds]

i remove the tow ball and use a rated shackle, as it only takes one bump and the snatch could pop off the ball

i have some pics of my recovery hooks that i fitted to the front, i will try and find

[waynep]

You can buy a device that will slip into the standard receiver slot on the tow hitch. It has either a shackle or tow hook mounted to it. ARB and TJM have them.

Personally I just remove the tow ball and slip the snatch strap through the pin on the receiver. However some people have said that the the pin bent a bit and made it hard to remove. I haven't personally had a problem mind you haven't needed to be snatched that often either :D

[Phoenix]

Snatching over a towball is asking for trouble as they aren't rated for the shock loading that a snatch recovery can have. They do snap off, and they do kill people. Only 2 years ago a bloke in NSW was killed by a towball.

[Defender200Tdi]

I use one of these:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/04/342.jpg


And stick it in 'ere:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/04/343.jpg


Paul:)

[Phoenix]

Yup, those are the best way to go in my opinion.

[DiscoDave]

As has been said above NEVER snatch off a towball.
Just out of interest what are peoples opinions of snatching off a NATO hook? (Sorry Scrambler just saw you already asked that!)

[Phoenix]

I have used a pintle hook for snatch recoveries without any problem, and i'm told that they are safe to do so, but I guess aas long as it's strongly attached to the vehicle it's ok.

I have also seen a 4wd mag (australian) stating that the nato type jaws are safe for snatch recoveries.

[Blknight.aus]

if i have to recover forwards and Im only just tractionally disavantaged, I use the sides of the brushbar just in front of the diff..


I do it for 3 reasons.

1. its got 4 botls holding it to the chassis so its on nice and tight and spreads the load.
2. As its usually lower than the tow vehicles recovery point it also provides a little "lift"
3. Its ment to be sacraficial, IF you bend it you can pull it off and put a new one on. And it will bend BEFORE anything else important. The observer for the recovery should see it giving and call a halt before anything important goes wrong.


However if you have an uprated bash bar fitted "DONT" try this. IT may not bend as easily as im saying.

[discowhite]

I use the sides of the brushbar just in front of the diff.

thats sounds about a dangerous as the tow ball!!



its got 4 botls holding it to the chassis so its on nice and tight and spreads the load.


do you know the condition of the bolts or what their tensile strength is??

mines bent to buggery and it dosnt take much to dint it either! i wouldnt go anywhere near it with any recovery gear..

cheers phil

[Gav110]

I have a Dixon-Bate universal coupling mounted to my UK import tow step. I had to switch from the LR tow hitch after I put in the long rang tank. The Dixon-Bate units include a removable centre pin for fast connections. These are the same units they used on the camel trophy vehicles - except in their case they also fitted 2 on the front bumpers minus the towball. Hopefully photo below comes out OK.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/D:\Gavs_Treo_750 My Documents\My Pictures\img045.jpg

These are big in the UK but as noone seems to import them (other than me privately!) you don't see many.

Cost of the step and hitch together incl freight was about $750 from memory. Bought through Simmonites (http://simmonites.com/Defender%20exterior.htm)

[Gav110]

Here 'tis...

2005