Hilux 4x4 Forum

is this allowed?
saw this on youtube...
supposedly the way to do it

http://youtu.be/-Ire31FrEAI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't know those towbars as I have a normal old fashioned fixed ball one, but:
I assume that's the same pin that holds the ball.
However, when it hold the ball section, it's "square tubing inside square tubing", which means the stresses on the pin is different from when that recovery rope is in there. I suspect that that pin is much more likely to bend with that recovery rope than with the ball section... Especially when doing a snatch... Remember that jeep that lost it's @rse when trying to recover that cruiser? At least here you'll only lose the pin.
My 2c (and also, I only saw the pic, not the video, as vodakrom is particularly krom tonight and I cannot open it )

It can work...but in the end something is going to give in.

As Mickey says, towbars are not for recovery unless properly reinforced which is seldom an option of choice sice it's normally easier to fit recovery points that are secured to the chassis with a suitable bracket or beefing up the towbar bracket. Remember, that's in line with the chassis .... if you want to use the centre of the towbar you still have to brace the towbar itself.

I think the pin itself should hold, but the strap is a problem if not pulled in a straight line because of the tube ..... the edges could compromise the strap.

Not a recommended recovery method IMO.

As everybody says. Yes it is not the ideal recovery point!.

BUT! If you have nothing else, you can use that AS LONG AS you keep in mind that it can fail, and adapt the amount of force you exert on the towbar to the minimum.

If you have a towbar like that make sure it is fitted to the chassis with the proper high tensile steel bolts and nuts.

Do not use it for kinetic (snatch) recoveries

Attach lanyards to the towbar and the chassis of the vehicle to prevent it from going flying off in the distance in case it does break off. And they do, I have seen this happen.

After every recovery re-torque the nuts holding the towbar to the chassis.

Inspect your chassis rails for metal fatigue and damage regularly if you use this as a recovery point.

We tend to always use kinetic recoveries as a first resort. Taking short-cuts. This is when people get hurt, things break off and damage occurs. A spade, light push or pull, or a little bit of jacking up and putting traction under the wheels, is enough (in most cases) to get the vehicle mobile again. Kinetics must only always be used as a last last resort when everything else failed.

Very interesting! If i understand correctly, this will be fine for a normal small recovery, but for big snatches i will have to use my designated recovery points!

Hi,

I saw that same video on YouTube the other and was also wondering the same thing.

I have a standard bumper on my Lux


and was wondering what I needed to do to it to use a hitch as below, and if such a hitch can be used or recommended for recoveries?


What options are there when it comes to rear recovery points, if the hitch is out of the question, besides replacing the bumper? Can one buy a recovery point and just bolt it onto the chassis? And what is recommended?

I found these while browsing the internet, but obviously towing a trailer etc would not be possible:


The hitch on the left, in the above picture, is very popular on the Land Cruisers used by the security teams here. Most of the time they have a heavy duty pull strap attached to them and the slack goes into the boot...!

It is a fairly safe option, there is no pieces of steel that will come flying if the pin snaps, one problem though, if the pin bends you're fooked, you won't get it out.

Stuart you are going to bend those pipes like a paper clip. They are not sturdy enough for kinetic recoveries.

You can buy the hooks from Safari Center and attach to the chassis and that will be 100%.

uhm ja ...

bosal type towbar, OR a purpose made off road bumper/towbar/recovery point unit ??


I do this with my Hilux with a purpose made Burnco bumper.

YES, the pin should shear before you pull the bumper off or bend the chassis in some idiot attempt at an over board snatch ....

Thysie you didnt use the word RATED anywhere.

We tend to always use kinetic recoveries as a first resort. Taking short-cuts. This is when people get hurt, things break off and damage occurs. A spade, light push or pull, or a little bit of jacking up and putting traction under the wheels, is enough (in most cases) to get the vehicle mobile again. Kinetics must only always be used as a last last resort when everything else failed.

Best advice ever

Rated, rated, rated... there I used it 3 times...

No matter what we say.. apparently, if these rocket scientists from the UK are to be believed, the normal tow ball is sufficient to do a kinetic recovery... as long as you do the wrap around, like a snake around a tree branch..


View Original

What the video does show, however, is when and why a kinetic recovery is preferable, but right at the end.. and one of the reasons the guy gives are also a lot of BS.. too much shock on the recovery points??.. mmmmm

Please note that this clip is taken from an Advanced Off Road Driving and Recovery Skills 4x4 - Kinetic Recovery DVD... Shocking!! Or maybe not? Maybe they know better than we do?? Who am I to say...

How many stories have we all heard or witnessed about bumpers and bits coming off with kinetic recoveries? That should be enough proof. Sorry, but I won't do a kinetic recovery to a vehicle that's not suitably rigged for it, period.

Mud Dog wrote:How many stories have we all heard or witnessed about bumpers and bits coming off with kinetic recoveries? That should be enough proof. Sorry, but I won't do a kinetic recovery to a vehicle that's not suitably rigged for it, period.

Those bits include that recovery hook Thys showed above, remember that oke that got clobbered at RDW? We still raised funds for his medical bills on this forum....

I still don't like them hooks; shackles & lanyards for me rather...

I bought the frontrunner points at megaworld, and Thysleroux fit them to the rear of my Hilux, its attached fairly solid, and for the front, those hooks I've fitted both sides.. If you need help, send me a pm

I hear what you're saying Stef, but as far as the hooks go, they're pretty much OK provided they're secured with adequately rated bolts. I suspect the RDW incident was the result of the bolts shearing .... the hook itself didn't break.

If the bolts are rusted or loose there's a problem. If they're not rated or underrated, there's a problem. If they're not secured to the chassis, there's a problem unless the bracket (or whatever is used) is also of adequate strength and adequately secured.

The use of two RP's and a bridle is always a good idea since it spreads the load ... this applies to both sides of the strap (recoverer and recoveree). I also prefer the use of a long bridle since this dramatically reduces the stress angles on the RP's / chassis rails. I think one should take the time to examine one's recovery set-up and identify the possible weak links, address them and if not possible, take them into account when doing the recovery. It's better to err on the side of safety (overkill) than to take risks.

It's really all just a matter of applying common sense.

Mud Dog wrote:I hear what you're saying Stef, but as far as the hooks go, they're pretty much OK provided they're secured with adequately rated bolts. I suspect the RDW incident was the result of the bolts shearing .... the hook itself didn't break.

Granted I just prefer my setup with shackles, no bolts involved, except the 6 (or 8) bolts holding the LTD bumper, and lets face it, that thing won't get airborn in a hurry

True, IIRC there's 10 bolts holding that bumber and truth be told, I prefer bow shackles as well.

Dis soooooo sad .. ons propageer al jare om NIE aan tow ball te 'recover' nie -- Maar die kluite wat dit doen lees nie ons 4x4 tydskrifte nie - en ook nie die 4x4 forums nie - EN ploeter voort sonder behoorlike opleiding of kennis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV894H83 ... ture=share" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;