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

**CraigE** · 29th May 2006, 10:22 AM

Have a look at this one on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RECOVERY-HITC...QQcmdZViewItem

I just generally use the pin in the rear towbar. The only thing I do not like about the above is if the pin shears for whatever reason, the reciever becomes a missile. If you just have the snatch strap eyelet around the pin and it shears there would belittle chance of much but the strap coming back at you.

**Greylandy** · 29th May 2006, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Zej

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?

Never use a shackle to attach straps, just thread the tree protector through the loop in the recovery strap. Crump is correct in that you are trying to minimise shrapnell when something gives. 99.5% of the time the strap will give before the shackle, especially rated shackles as they are made to lift the rated weight .. not just pull.

If you think about it ... no strap will pull a hith receiver, tow hook or shackle off a vehicle ... straps are notorious for not being properly tested .. you see it all the time ... the 4WD magazines do a comparo and half of the straps fail below their rated threshold. So when you do buy a strap, go overkill.

**Greylandy** · 29th May 2006, 10:32 AM

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?

You got it Jim!

**FenianEel** · 29th May 2006, 10:38 AM

You can also get one of these.
They are pretty expensive and probably overkill for most of the trips that you'd do, but if you have one with you - it will make all recoveries easy & guarantee you get home.

**crump** · 29th May 2006, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by crump

Just use the pin, as its less potential shrapnell.

Sorry misread what you meant.

Zej · 29th May 2006, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by FenianEel

You can also get one of these.
They are pretty expensive and probably overkill for most of the trips that you'd do, but if you have one with you - it will make all recoveries easy & guarantee you get home.

The Landy or the Chinook??

I think I prefer the more compact dimensions of the Russian Mi26 Halo...

**FenianEel** · 29th May 2006, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Zej

The Landy or the Chinook??

I think I prefer the more compact dimensions of the Russian Mi26 Halo...

Chinook

Russian + reliability = mmmm not sure.

I'll keep that in mind when shopping for my next cargolifter though!

ak · 29th May 2006, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by crump

Sorry misread what you meant.

Sorry I am still a bit confused, is it OK just to use the pin and can any one post a pic of the strap just going through the pin for me please?

**dobbo** · 29th May 2006, 11:43 AM

I feel the same as "ak" wouldn't trust the pin completely. I cannot see a rating on it. As I've allready said, can you get rating pins????

**BigJon** · 29th May 2006, 11:50 AM

Using the pin that passes through the square section of the towbar is fine for recovery purposes. I would think the chances of that pin actually snapping are just about zero. I have used 3/8 socket extension bars instead of the pin to do a recovery with (heading out under prepared!) and had no dramas.

I know what you mean regarding the difficulty in getting the strap down inside the receptacle. I have a RaRo with ARB front and rear bars as well. I intend to make my own recovery point that slides into the towbar point, just a matter of time and enthusiasm. I can't imagine that it would be too difficult to build.

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

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