A quick recovery question...

[Jpdv]

Slightly confused. If I need recovering from the rear, the D4 factory recovery point is pretty crudely finished (as in, crudely enough for me to worry about a soft shackle parting 'spectacularly' under load...).

Can I stick one of the available recovery hitch things in the LR 3.5 ton rated hitch receiver and use that? Steady winch tension only, or kinetic rope? Or is the answer. a flat 'no you fool, you'll die painfully!!'

And if that (ie, 'No') is the answer, has anyone had the eye filed smooth? Any issues doing so? I'd like to be able to use it, but it isn't in a fit state as supplied - I don't really understand what the thinking behind its attractive 'sawtooth' finish is(!)

(And apologies, I would have put this in the recovery folder, but it looks pretty moribund, so thought I'd go where people would see this.)

[DieselLSE]

I'd use a hard shackle there. For what you want to do I'd have no problem using the Landrover towing assembly. Personally, I have a Mitch Hitch and would use a hard shackle connected to one of the shackle holes. (The Mitch Hitch is permanently attached to that recovery point and two other chassis points).

[Poida4x4]

I have a soft shackle compatible insert for my Mitch Hitch for this purpose

[Jpdv]

Thanks guys. Yup, I'd be happy with using one in the mitch hitch, because there's no (or much less) 'torqueing' with one, because of the way it's all locked in... The standard hitch (which I have) is better than the old D3 plough, but still means that it is being torqued if you put serious loading from it. I'm not experienced enough to know whether it'll cope with no issues, or risk something breaking just when one really doesn't need it.

Any other views out there?

[Tote]

I have had no issues with recovery using the factory recovery points and whilst there is not an official rating for them they are more than adequate for most offroad recoveries. If a mitch hitch was fitted I'd happily use that as it uses the factory chassis mount anyway, but if not fitted the last thing I'd use would be the factory tow hitch

• The factory tow hitch introduces leverage that may twist the chassis if overloaded.
• The Factory tow hitch may damage its locking mechanism or the socket o the chassis leaving it unremovable or unusable
• The factory recovery/tow point is there for a reason and is more than strong enough. If you break it you would break any other means of attachment for the recovery method you are using

There is a notional loading of 6 tons on those recovery points but as with any recovery point it is impossible to rate them due to the difference in dynamic loads that could be generated. There's a bit of an explanation of this here using a notional 80KM/h recovery speed and a permanently stuck vehicle here RECOVERY POINTS VS TIE DOWN POINTS - Unsealed 4X4

Regards,
Tote

[Jpdv]

And I reckon that last answer nails it for me... Good points re ending up with a buggered load of lumps... In that case, I think it's the factory eye with a bit of coarse file work to get the worst of the built in shackle cutter gone.

[goldey]

Or carry a rated bow shackle that attaches to the factory recovery point and is much nicer to your soft shackle? Until I get my hands on a mitch hitch (or equivalent) that's what I've got planned.

[Jpdv]

Or carry a rated bow shackle that attaches to the factory recovery point and is much nicer to your soft shackle? Until I get my hands on a mitch hitch (or equivalent) that's what I've got planned.

I actually have one, but have 2 concerns as it stands:

1. I'm slightly uneasy about it twisting to the left or right in the eye in a 'not completely straight' recovery (ie most of them...). I worry about general banging up of the electrics etc if this happens.

2. Again, as it stands, the eye is so rough that it will - possibly to a worse extent than with a soft shackle - concentrate load at one or two points on the rated bow shackle cross pin - which negates its rating...

Probably over-thinking, but the loads involved dictate a bit of caution - I have personal experience of recovery going wrong, and seen windows destroyed, etc etc - so I'd rather play it safe and be boring...

So agree with your suggestion, but in any case, its getting a bloody smoothing first!

[shanegtr]

I cant see an issue with taking some rough spots out on the loop - not going to have a negative effect if that is all you are doing.

[l00kin4]

I cant see an issue with taking some rough spots out on the loop - not going to have a negative effect if that is all you are doing.

Totally agree. I have filed mine out so it is smooth for a soft shackle and have used it no problem.

David