recovery - tow bar

[Big Dog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Big Dog]

I have a genuine toyota tow bar fitted rated to pull 2500 kg. I see the tow bar is bolted to a back bar section on the car. The back section is then attached to the chasis (non mechanic lingo).

I am aware there are other tow bar fittings that are rated to 3500kg.

What experiences have people got with regards to using my style of tow bar in recovery?? ie are the joins (the bolt onto the back section and subsequent attachment to the chasis) strong enough??

There is a plethora (dictionary used) of information on the internet re connection between snatch strap and the attachment but little on the workings going on behind the connection.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hi Big Dog

There are a couple of posts, on this forum (I don't know if it's enough to make a plethora :lol: ) but they also deal with the point of attachment.

There is an option to replace the tie down point/s on the rear chassis with a rated hook - which takes the towbar fittings out of the snatch equation



There are many others who tuck the end of the snatch strap into the hitch receiver and lock it in place with the hitch pin or use one of these replacement hitches



which would indicate, to me, that the towbar itself is strong enoung in it's connection to the chassis, to be used for recovery.

My $0.02

Cheers
Chippy

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

Big D

Go the bottom pix of the reveiver hitch.. Shithot peice of gear, I have used it to recover many times. I leave it on all the time !!!

Matt :lol:

Ps : Gday and welcome to the party that never ends !!!

i've been thinking about picking one of these up! where'd you get it from and what sort of damage was it if you don't mind me asking!

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

Just beware of using the hitch pin, there is the potential for it to get slightly bent in the recovery process, making it a permanent fixture.

The recovery hitch that goes in the receiver is a great idea. Matthew sells them, 120GXV6- not sure on the price though.

We (Camo and I) looked at making our own but it was too much faffing about.

Drew.

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

recovery - tow bar

Howdy Big Dog

Just browsing through the following site http://www.4x4store.com.au/Tow-Hitch-Re ... 13375.html
Priced at $55 free shipping

Edit: Fixed the URL. Drew - Moderator.

[Big Dog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Big Dog]

Thanks gents,

$55 sounds good from what I have seen around for the receiver.

But my concern was generally with the tow bar and peoples experiences in using it to snatch out.

I considered those hook replacements but the exhaust pipe is under one of the chasis rail preventing the fitment of both hooks. This would then place all the load on one hook (if fitted that way). The packets on those hooks rate at 4.5 tonne, so I assume if you use one hook, it will handle half that amount. This takes me back to using the tow bar!!!!

Obviously will use the tow bar if desperate but since I have organised the front end recovery point, I just consider the back end. Anyone had the back end ripped off using the tow bar as recovery point?

.... am a little confused as I viewed chippy's photograph and the hook is stamped with 10 000 pound. I guess one can be used. Of interest, has anyone had there car doing strange things when using a recovery point from one chasis (twisting)?

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Hi Big Dog

There is some more discussion here about tow bar attachments for recovery, might make for some interesting reading:
http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/ArchiveVi ... mQID=13797

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Outback Ideas bush hook seems like a good idea - anyone have one, that can relate their experiences?

[Big Dog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Big Dog]

Thanks gents

I may use one rated hook on the passenger side chasis and use a second point of the tow bar for recovery. Thereby spreading the load on the two points.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Got one ....



Now I've just got to test it out next weekend.

Hey Justo, how heavy is your Grande ? :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Big D

Go the bottom pix of the reveiver hitch.. Shithot peice of gear, I have used it to recover many times. I leave it on all the time !!!

Matt :lol:

Ps : Gday and welcome to the party that never ends !!!

i've been thinking about picking one of these up! where'd you get it from and what sort of damage was it if you don't mind me asking!

McBain, i got one from ARB $60. Looks just like the one chippy has above.

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

I was planning on making my own hitch recovery point untill I saw someone with an original Toyota hitch without the towball in it.
Just whack a shakle in there and Presto, Hitch recovery point.

As for the strength of the complete hitch attachment, I havnt heard any bad reports from any manufacturers or on any web site forum.
They are pretty beefy and hold on with 5 bolts to the chassis if I remember correctly.

The weekest point in my book would be the pin. Buts thats a fair amount of metal to shear if it was to be the weekest link.

Jeff.

[Mike Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mike]

mine is similar to the one shown in Chippy's photo and have used it a few times without any problems

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Guys, whatever you get just make sure that it is RATED and NATA approved... Warn make one like that

I use similar one with the hook on the end (easier and quicker to put on) from outback ideas...

[phil Member Find all posts View Profile Close phil]

Just had tow bar fitted today $365 (dealer price) it's a tow safe bar that bolts to both sides of the chassis rails and also in the middle section.
Sold by parkside towbars, bought this model because was also concerned with heavy recovery at least this bar spreads the load more. And these bars also don't require any metal to be cut away like the haymen reece bar and the rear bumper has not been cut up either. Cheers Phil.