Thread: Tow ball as a recovery point? The answer is NO !!!

No, No, no, no, no. I think that makes it clear

What you did is correct. A towball can not take the shock load of a snatch recovery. A number of people in Australia have been killed over the past few years by towballs that have snapped off and been thrown some distance. ould you want a towball heading for your head at 200 km/h ?

I've seen a great picture of a 4wd with a snatch strap and a shackle attached at the end attached to the rear of the cehicle. the shackle went through the back window, through the passanger headrest and out the windscreen. Lickily there was no passanger at the time in the vehicle.

For the rear the best way is to get a recovery hitch that has a hook attached and slides into your towball reciever. That or a hole to attach a shackle (which can take the snach recovery load).

Fir the front, the loops tent to not be strong enough and can be ripped out. Best bet is to get a proper recovery hok to attach. If you like attach 2 at the front and use a strap to attach them. Chains in recovery is also a no no. As they too can snap and be sent flying. Only thing a chain is used for is pulling branches off the track, or draging firewood.

Exactly what Phoenix said. You can take the ball out of the tongue and attach a D-shackle to make it easier to connect the strap. The alternative is a $70 hitch receiver that does the same thing but looks a bit neater at the back. See below:



The problem with putting it into the towbar and attaching with the pin is some recovery straps are too thick .. I know the 12000lb ARB one doesn't fit in the ARB/Hayman Reese/LR towbar.

As for the front, get two rated recovery hooks and attach them to the chassis rails. Another alternative is jate rings .. almost like a u-bolt that sits either side of the rail. Jate rings below:



When you have to attach a recovery strap on the front, use a rated tree protector or bridle to spread the load between the chassis rails.

So - just to be totally clear, the easiest and quickest way is to simply run a D shackle through the tow bar reciever where the pin would normally go for the ball itself?

Thanks for the speedy replies.

I tried to get a tow-hitch like Greylandy's, but couldn't find one that was long enough for the rear bar reciever, which sits at an angle and is several inches deeper than a standard horizontal one. Looks like the towball's coming off then.

I've seen recovery brackets and hooks - so you'd have them bolted to either side of the chassis, then run a tree-protector between the two - and attach the recovery strap to the middle with a shackle?

Ditto Phoenix's comments.
NEVER EVER USE the towball - it can become a cricket ball sized missile. Ugly.

Some towbar set ups have "rings" or recovery points attached. If not get a centre pull. It costs about $60 and slides in where the tow ball attachment does. Or get a Tow Jaw set up. Either of these will do the job for most recoveries.
Make sure whatever you use, it "rated" for recovery and take your time. When recovering a vehicle, look at possible things that can go wrong and try and eliminate them. If you're new to four wheel driving, start by reading a "tips and techniques" mag or 4WD Survival/Starters guide. And never be afraid to ask questions, or take your time when you're out there. If that's an issue, you're driving with the wrong people.

Welcome to AULRO and don't be afraid to ask any questions here. As the Irish say "There's no strangers here - just friends you haven't met yet.

oops forgot to attach pictures.

There are also tow hooks - but I don't really like them - they have an open end and aren't "solid" for pulls/recoveries that arent straight.

Originally Posted by Surferjim

So - just to be totally clear, the easiest and quickest way is to simply run a D shackle through the tow bar reciever where the pin would normally go for the ball itself?

Just use the pin, as its less potential shrapnell.

Thanks for the speedy replies.

I tried to get a tow-hitch like Greylandy's, but couldn't find one that was long enough for the rear bar reciever, which sits at an angle and is several inches deeper than a standard horizontal one. Looks like the towball's coming off then.

I've seen recovery brackets and hooks - so you'd have them bolted to either side of the chassis, then run a tree-protector between the two - and attach the recovery strap to the middle with a shackle?

You would be better off just threading the bridle thru the snatch strap, as it lessens the amount of metal in the process.