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

Wow ...this topic has the potential to go far ...lol...going by the responses to similar topics on the ov*rlander forums
Having bent the reciever pin on one occaision(carlton cold caused exact details to be lost from memory) i know it can be a PITA to remove (even when sober)
A grade 8 16mm(i think) hex head bolt with a hole drilled in the end for a split pin is heaps stronger than the supplied pin, or even a grade 10 socket head cap screw will solve the bending pin issue.
I've seen the corner of a 35 tonne dragline bucket lifted off the ground with a 3.2T bow shackle(accidently...funnily enough the weld on the lifting lug gave way...oops ) ...but also seen the evidence of brocken recovery gear.

oh.....and dont snatch off a tow ball

Just another thought...

Many people think that the only way to recover a vehicle is in the direction that the stuck vehicle was travelling...

contrare

The best way is to pull the stuck vehicle out the same way it went in...reverse. It has made its way there and could go no further forward so often the easiest way out is the way it went in.

So a rear to rear recovery is best providing that you don't use the tow ball

Same principle applies if you go off sideways...how do I know?

Mahn,
I agree and normally pull out the way it went in. But sometimes that is not possible or practical depending where the recovery vehicle is or is coming from or where you need to go or access to recovery points etc.

Originally Posted by barney

i beg to differ GL,
...gossies brother in law went to the rescue, hooked his strap onto the newbies recovery point, an ARB hook, shackeled the strap to the back of his van and took off. what they didn't pick up was that the newbie had put his recovery points on, himself. with bolts he picked up for "the right price" at BBC.

Unfortunately you cannot compensate for stupidity. I should rephrase and say properly fitted towbars, recovery points, hitch receivers and rated shackles should always outlast a recovery strap. If that is not the case .. or you are in doubt .. get it changed!!!

Metal shrapnel is what kills and causes damage. If proper recovery techniques are being used, a broken strap should cause .. at worst .. a dent in you rear door. The strap should be the weakest point in the recovery setup. That doesn't mean you should use a fragile old strap without a rating ... but if something goes let it be that 9000lb ARB strap cause chances are it won't come through the back door and mess up your comb over!

Originally Posted by CraigE

Mahn,
I agree and normally pull out the way it went in. But sometimes that is not possible or practical depending where the recovery vehicle is or is coming from or where you need to go or access to recovery points etc.

I second that hence elec winches are not worth the dollars .. unless you do comp work!

I am planning my first trip to Fraser Island later this year and this thread certainly has me thinking. Now I am not planning on getting bogged every 5 min's but as we are going with some other families I will be taking great care as to who I recover and who I will let recover me. I am getting a propper recovery point up front.

I just can't imagine the pin being that strong. I don't have the experience as some of you here so if you where a novice like me at the back end what's best a proper rated shackle or use the existing pin?

In my opinion use a shackle bracket (below) with the existing pin that came with your towbar. The bracket spreads the load on the pin far more effectively then just putting the strap around the pin. Even if the pin is suspect there is very little chance that it will shear or break with this setup. Also, as mentioned before .. I'll cut off my balls if you break a rated 3.2T shackle before the strap breaks!!!



I've used the shackle bracket on many occassions, there is no evidence of the pin bending or such like. Some action below (notice the vehicle being recovered )



Bloody Disco's without CDL!!


Mahn, remember this one?

Thanks for posting the pic Greylandie, I like that set up I think thats the way I'll go. Any idea what one should cost me.