Recovery points

[Grover-98]

I just recently purchased a recovery pack with a snatch strap and Bow shackles.

I was just wondering where i should be placing the shackles when pulling someone out or being recovered myself both front and back. Iv seen recovery hitch points for the tow bar but i was curious if there are standard recovery points :)

[MartyB]

Hi Grover,
Simplest way for the rear is to remove the tow hitch, poke the strap up the receiver and secure it with the pin.
On the front you will need to add a recovery hook as none are provided standard. Have a look at 4wd accessory stores for a suitable hook or ring. Basic rule of thumb is if it is a welded hook it is not suitable, suitable recovery points should be bolted on and have their load rating stamped into them.
from Marty.

[Grover-98]

Cheers i hadn't thought of using the pin in the tow bar to secure the strap, you just saved me $40 :)(this site has saved me hundreds already!)

As for the front iv got the bow shackles but looks like i will have to visit supercheap to purchase a recovery point?!...is it ok to snatch from from one chasie rail on the front? :)

[Grover-98]

Where abouts does the tow hook bolt on to the front? also is it ok to just have one?

[p38arover]

I happen to have some recovery points I bought but never fitted.

See http://www.aulro.com/afvb/marketplace-alerts/39290-discovery-1-2-recovery-points.html

I'll have to take some pix

[Bush65]

It is ok to snatch from one chassis rail on a disco I. But a bridle is best for heavy work or when you are the one being snatched.

Sorry can't comment on where to bolt a recovery hook. There are too many different set-ups with bars. There are 2 bolts in each rail where bars bolt on, but they are arranged vertically so not good for a hook.

I use these 2 positions plus a 3rd back where the steering guard attaches, with 1/2" sae grade 5 bolts - but my front recover points are plate not hooks.

I don't like the L shape recovery points that only use the 2 bolts and hang down a long way to clear the front bar.

[Grover-98]

I couldn't view the item :(...
Also should i be getting two hooks and if so how do i snatch by using both hooks to prevent uneven stress???

[lloyds disco]

attach bridle to one recovery point, slide bridle through snatch strap eye then attach other end to opposite recovery point

[Grover-98]

Would it be ok to use a chain as a bridle? i know it wouldn't store energy and aid the snatch but it would evenly distribute the force on the vehicle, would that be ok?

[lloyds disco]

the idea is, that no matter what angle the load is evenly spread across the chassis rails, so a rated chain should be ok, but I prefer straps. the bridle gives no other help to the recovery, more that it helps protect the vehicle

[Bush65]

Would it be ok to use a chain as a bridle? i know it wouldn't store energy and aid the snatch but it would evenly distribute the force on the vehicle, would that be ok?
Chain can be used, but I prefer to use a strap.

The length of each leg of the bridle should be long enough not to create high side loads on the recovery points or chassis rails. The side loads result from the angle the legs of the bridle make.

Depending how the recovery point is bolted to the chassis, prying forces, higher than the load in the bridle, can be created in the bolts. Substantial side loads on recovery points should be avoided.

[Bytemrk]

Would it be ok to use a chain as a bridle? i know it wouldn't store energy and aid the snatch but it would evenly distribute the force on the vehicle, would that be ok?


In theory a rated chain should be fine.... but I tend to figure the less bits of metal hanging on the end of a snatch strap the less chances of a random metal projectile doing something unpleasant. :eek::eek:

I'd use a strap if i was you..

Cheers, Mark

[Grover-98]

Cheers guys! I guess my best option will be to pick up two tow hooks! ill just use the pin in the tow bar at the rear...as for a bridle im not sure what i should use chain isnt the best option! so maybe a perpose built strap!?

[DI5CO]

I personally WOULDN'T buy a recovery point from supercrap. have a look at these. Accessories - The Economic Alternative for the Melbourne Landrover & Rover 4wd Community (http://www.amv.com.au/accessories.htm) or Recovery Points (http://www.4x4intelligence.com.au/recovery_points.htm)
You may need to buy high tensile bolts for added length at any bolt shop.
I have the AMV ones but probably should have gone the 4x4 ones as they look thicker. They are roughly $100 a pair. I had the thick recovery points on my D1 (wouldnt fit to my D2:()& they never bent & I think is a much better investment than any other recovery point.
Dave.

[harry]

Would it be ok to use a chain as a bridle? i know it wouldn't store energy and aid the snatch but it would evenly distribute the force on the vehicle, would that be ok?

don't use a chain!!!!!!!!!!

if your snatch strap is rated at 8000 lbs you need a stronger chain.
forget it.
the chain isn't designed to take the sudden load incurred in a snatch situation, and if the chain breaks, it will be a seriously dangerous missile.

[Grover-98]

Iv seen you guys using two bow Shackles on the bull bar, is that ok to do?

[DI5CO]

Maybe in an emergency but I think the steel is too thin. I wouldnt trust it. when your life is at risk, its not worth it. A bow shacke that has just snapped off the front of a bull bar will smash straight through the back window of the recovery vehicle. I know if I have my kids in the back seat & somebody wanted me to recover them using the bull bar rings....I dont think so. There maybe others here who have used them plenty of times with success, but I wouldnt risk it. It will obviously depend on the severity of the recovery, but you dont know how bad you will get stuck when in the bush. My 2c worth.

[Bush65]

Iv seen you guys using two bow Shackles on the bull bar, is that ok to do?
Only if the bar is designed for recover from those point.

Poor recovery points can lead to serious damage and injury.

A few years ago someone had his legs smashed by a bull bar that was pulled of a vehicle by a snatch strap.

You are asking a lot of questions where respondents can only give general answers as to what they might do in a similar situation. These general answers can easily be invalid/dangerous if misinterpreted or executed in a manner that was not envisaged.

I know you want to learn but our vehicles tend to have many variations and some may influence what is right or wrong as far as recovery is concerned.

Shock loads, and how the loads are transferred through attachments etc. is not always well understood.

You are a little over 1/2 hour from me - you are welcome to call around if want a chat about this.

[waynep]

I use a tree trunk protector as a bridle/equaliser strap. Thread the loop end of the snatch strap through it and then attach each end of the TTP to your two chassis mounted recovery points.

Now there's going to be comment about using TTPs for this purpose, but they are double thickness so should be Ok.

That way the load "self adjusts" so there is always even load on each recovery point, no matter what angle you are pulling at.

I wouldn't be using bow shackles through those standard "holes" on the bullbar - I've seen pics where the bow shackle has pulled through that bit of metal and gone through the back window of the pulling vehicle.

[Tank]

Cheers guys! I guess my best option will be to pick up two tow hooks! ill just use the pin in the tow bar at the rear...as for a bridle im not sure what i should use chain isnt the best option! so maybe a perpose built strap!?
Grover-98, if you use a bridle, which is a good Idea to spread the load, make sure that it is long enough when connected to form an angle of less than 45 degrees at the point where the snatch strap attaches (Apex).
Reason: a bridle strap at 45 degrees will have tension under load in each side of the strap equal to the weight being snatched, i.e. if a force of 2 tons is applied to the bridle at 45 degrees there will be 2 tons of force (tension/load) applied to each side, therefore your bridle strap would have a combined load of 4 tons.
If your strap was shorter and the angle created at the apex (where the snatch strap connects) was 90 degrees the load on each side of the strap would be double the load, i.e. 4 tons/side meaning your bridle strap would have a load of 8 tons.
Solution: keep your bridle strap as long as possible to reduce the angle at the apex.
My suggestion for recovery points is, square off the ends of the chassis with a solid brace between the chassis rails and box it in to add strength, weld some large captive nuts on the bracing (behind), level with each chassis rail, drill 2 holes in the bull bar to line up with these 2 captive nuts, refit the bull bar and screw a large Eye Bolt with flange into these holes, if necessary use washers to get the eye bolts with the eye holes in the Vertical axis when tight, always use rated shackles that have a SWL/WLL equal to or above the breaking strain of your snatch strap, Regards Frank.

[Bush65]

... My suggestion for recovery points is, square off the ends of the chassis with a solid brace between the chassis rails and box it in to add strength, weld some large captive nuts on the bracing (behind), level with each chassis rail, drill 2 holes in the bull bar to line up with these 2 captive nuts, refit the bull bar and screw a large Eye Bolt with flange into these holes, if necessary use washers to get the eye bolts with the eye holes in the Vertical axis when tight, always use rated shackles that have a SWL/WLL equal to or above the breaking strain of your snatch strap, Regards Frank.
I agree ok for recovery points if you could do that, but bull bars that I normally see on discos are too far in front of the chassis rails - mine is a tad over 260mm (the grill is ~90mm forward of the end of the chassis rails).

If the eye bolts stick out forward of the bull bar you can get done by the law.

[Tank]

I agree ok for recovery points if you could do that, but bull bars that I normally see on discos are too far in front of the chassis rails - mine is a tad over 260mm (the grill is ~90mm forward of the end of the chassis rails).

If the eye bolts stick out forward of the bull bar you can get done by the law.
I am talking about fabricating and modifying the ends of the chassis, extending forward into the back of the bullbar, the eyebolts would not have to protrude past the stanchions on the bullbar, when I complete mine I will post up some pics, a lot easier than trying to explain in writing, Regards Frank.

[ozscott]

...air bag deployment....

[Tank]

...air bag deployment....
Airbags, wot airbags, Regards Frank.

[Bytemrk]

HI Grover-98

I use a tree protector, same as waynep, I feed it through the eye of the snatch strap and then connect the ends via shackles to recovery points on both chassis rails.


Like these:
http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/568https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/39.jpg

They are 4x4 intelligence points.

Some will talk about this style of point possibly bending chassis rails... but to be honest if you are snatching that hard - you should be using another recovery option anyway.

[HangOver]

I personally WOULDN'T buy a recovery point from supercrap.

I bought supercrap hooks and a set of (I think???) blackrat hooks done several recoveries from both sets of hooks without an issue. I would be happy to buy and recomend them.
I would also recommend throwing the supplied bolts away and buying your own HT bolts and putting plates either side of the chassis so you dont crush the chassis and so the bolts dont pull through. IMO

[Grover-98]

Cheers guys!

Ill just use a tree trunk protector as my bridle and as for the points i will do a little search and see whats available with all of your advice in mind!


I must say What Were Land Rover Thinking when they made an off road vehicle without standard recovery points!!!

[Bytemrk]

I must say What Were Land Rover Thinking when they made an off road vehicle without standard recovery points!!!

They were thinking the same thing as all the other car manufacturers.....

"no public liability insurer would touch factory recovery points with a 40 foot pole..." too many variables they just can't control. :eek::eek:

I got mine from here: 4x4Discovery.com.au - "think outside ..." (http://www.4x4intelligence.com.au/)

Good luck with it ..

Mark