Front recovery on Freebie, any suggestions?

[SuperMono]

I have had mixed reactions to the standard front recovery point on my 2002 Freebie from Landy owners. Some think it is adequate given the vehicle weight, others think it is just a tow point and so insufficient for snatch recovery.

Rather than argue any point on this, I thought I would just look at beef it up or replacing/suplementing with another.

Anyone have an answer that will shorten my efforts by suggesting a known fix?

[beforethevision]

From what ive seen, noone has ever bent or broken one. There are tie down points under the car, DONT USE THEM. The tow/recovery points are commonly used.

If oyu are really concerned, you can get one which bolts into the chassis rail, but still sits at the side (pokes through the plastic). The only centred one ive seen is a towbar receiver custom made to fit through the lower front grille. At the rear, just use the rated ones that fit the towbar reciever.

Bascially you gotta go custom for the front, there are things out there, but typically in small no's.

Cheers!

[dmdigital]

Firstly the point is a tow point and not for vehicle recovery like snatching etc where you are going to put sudden stress on it.

More importantly I would consider trying to get strengthened points on both sidesof the front so you can bridle a recovery and not put undue stress on one side of the vehicle. I think (may be wrong) this is even more important as the FL is monocoque.

[dmdigital]

Have a look at this page, might give you some ideas.

MAD Freelanders Web Site (http://www.mad-freelanders.org.uk/modsprotection.html)

[SuperMono]

I haven't heard of any failing either and in the UK it appears they are acceptable as is, but I think snatching is less popular in Europe.

Adding the second point was Plan C after Plan A (do nothing) and Plan B (beef up/replace the single point) because it makes sense and would be difficult to argue is insufficient for snatching.

I should add I haven't had any need for recovery as yet, always been able to drive out one way or another. But being a sucker for a challenge, chances are I'll need the strap at some point.

[beforethevision]

Firstly the point is a tow point and not for vehicle recovery like snatching etc where you are going to put sudden stress on it.

More importantly I would consider trying to get strengthened points on both sidesof the front so you can bridle a recovery and not put undue stress on one side of the vehicle. I think (may be wrong) this is even more important as the FL is monocoque.

Land Rover rate them for a 3ton inertial recovery, which would do quite happily in most situ's. Unless of course you are putting them in bending, not tension. So dont pull sideways with them.

A monocoque is typically more rigid than a ladder chassis for torsional rigidity, ie one sided pulls.

If you want something more serious, Celtic 4x4 have a FL front recovery kit, with both sides accounted for.

[dmdigital]

A monocoque is typically more rigid than a ladder chassis for torsional rigidity, ie one sided pulls.


OK, I was wrong. One thing about the forum, you get corrected ;) :D

[beforethevision]

A one sided pull is still rather scary on narrow muddy tracks.......:eek:

The bridle is a good idea IMHO if you have the capacity...

[Ken]

If that were me recovering you I wouldnt !! its way to dangerous
Imagine a bow shackle coming at you at 100kmh plus
If your stuck in the sand and a tow just wont work its time to snatch thats when the forces become double and then it gets really scary :eek:
Taff went to rescue a guy stuck out at Moore river he was stuck fast in the river itself
No amount of snatching was going to get this bloke out in the end they used an air bag jack to break the suction and get him free
when they had a look at the "rated" recovery points they had torn three inch gouges in the chassis trying to snatch him out of the bog
thats how much force is being applied to the recovery point
For safetys sake get yourself some rated recovery points ;)

[SuperMono]

Land Rover rate them for a 3ton inertial recovery

Can I ask where this info/spec came from?

Thanks for all the pointers and advice, I'm going to pull the front off Freebie this weekend (SWMBO permitting) for a detailed plot and scheme.

I did ask DAP for a lift kit price, if anyone is interested they came up with US$400 delivered to Melbourne.

[beforethevision]

To be honest, i cant remember, i think it came up in a discussion on muddy oval.

It sounds about right (to me atleast), looking at the structure and the history of its use by other forum members that treat hipposfar wose than i.

If you are concerned, take a closer look at where it mounts, and perhaps get a heavier one welded up.