Front recovery point on D3

[macca692]

Hey guys new to this post, but wanting to know where bouts the recovery point is on the disco 3. I know there is the tie down point under the plastic cover on the front end but surely i wouldn't be able to do a snatch off that if I got myself in a bit of trouble? Or do you guys just retro fit a point off the axle up forward? I don't have a bar on front but did have a quick look at an ARB bull bar on a vehicle in a lot and didn't see one off that either.

[daveyb]

That's the recovery point Macca. It's surprising stout. I have pulled every type of recovery from there. ARB does not offer a recovery point due to the AirBag compatibility. It's not recommended to add recovery points to an AirBag equipped ARB either. Don't worry. Use a snatch block , if possible, if you have concerns about a pull. Enjoy!

[WhiteD3]

It is not a recovery point meant for snatching. The manual makes the distinction (albeit vaguely) between it and the rear recovery point. The front point is there for winching on to a tilt tray.

Having said there is no other choice but to use it for front recoveries.

[Bushwanderer]

I've been recovered, using this point, where the recovery vehicle had trouble getting sufficient traction to overcome my dilemma. (I was worried that the winch cable would break.)

It's strong enough!

[CaverD3]

LR just covering their ass. :angel:
Has been used for recovery by many folks with no sign of damage. It's not like it is the Pootrol rear recovery point. :D

[Ashes]

Last week in robe, I used the front point twice for myself:oops2:, and the rear once for myself :blush:.

I did however use my rear point 4 times to get others over a difficult slope so I recon I was 1 up for the weekend:tease:

[jtonline]

I've been recovered, using this point, where the recovery vehicle had trouble getting sufficient traction to overcome my dilemma. (I was worried that the winch cable would break.)

It's strong enough!

I have had the same situation in mud, the toyota troop thing really struggled. ( I was sitting on the rear axle) :(

[rmp]

The points are rated to double the vehicle's GVM. So you can recover using them.

[RickO]

Hi All,

Probably a bit late for the discussion, but....


I asked this exact question to LR in May of this year:
"..further to all of Landrover's promotion of the off-road capability of the Discovery 3, I would like to ask for your advice on how one could recover a Discovery 3 from the front end given that the handbook advises not to use the towing loop. For such a capable off-road vehicle this seems to be a glaring omission, and to be honest, probably the first time I have been genuinely unhappy with my recent Discovery purchase"

and got this response:

"Thank you for your enquiry regarding the off-road capability of the Discovery 3........ the front loop is a towing hook rather than a recovery hook and can advise you further the circumstances in which this hook can be used. He would be happy to discuss this further with you if you would like to give him a call at your convenience."

When I called the aforementioned Service Manager back, he said that the front 'recovery' loop was was pretty strong and words to the effect that if you need to recover from the front, 'you need to do what you need to do'. He did however advise more caution for snatching vs winching though.

All in all, the typical evasive, non-committal response you pretty much get from anyone these days when you ask about workmanship, product quality, warranties etc.

[rmp]

Not everyone that works for or with a manufacturer is an authority on the vehicle. Unlike people that post in threads like this of course ;-)

As you imply, nobody is going to give you a written guarantee about something like a recovery point. Too much risk, too little advantage. My information comes from the Land Rover Experience team, and many people have used the points successfully. So, for me, they are recovery points.

[Leo]

They are bloody strong, connected directly to the chassis and more than adequate for snatching etc.

[TwoFrogs]

I've been told that someone pulled three 4WD's at once using the front tow point, and obviously others have used this as a recovery point wihout any problems.
The issue is if I do use this as an off-road recovery point and something happens and someone is hurt; I'm in big trouble.
Has anyone got any other form of certified front off-road recovery point.
Regards
Barry

[CSBrisie]

Yes, a Perth guy - Gordon - used his D3 in competitions and he was forced to add front and rear recovery hooks to compete - so it can be done ; go to disco3.co.uk for photos of the hooks;

I spoke with the G4 Challenge guys in the UK - Landrover had reps on the 2008 Challenge - they said "the front (and back) recovery loop is rated to 6 tonnes" - and they usee it on that challenge as you can imagine - but you will never ever get LR to put that in writing". Insurance Gods. Dont you love it?