Recovery Point or Hook?

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

As this is a point of debate I thought I would post what is in the Current book re towing and "the hooks"

In the handbook it states that the towing hooks should be used "on a hard surface for a short distance at low speeds" and should never be towed backwards.

In the Off Road Driving manual it states that if you are bogged you should try to get out using various techniques, rocking, digging etc If that fails then you should "have the vehicle freed by a rescue vehicle" In the equipment to use it shows a snatch strap and states "to be used when needs to be towed by another vehicle"

So from that, it is OK to tow from the towing hooks under certain circumstances, I don't think I would like to be pulling something out that is in to the windows using them but should be OK for bulldust or slippery stuff a few inches deep.

I can always use the hi lift jack and straps to get something under the wheel so I am not buried.

I am still interested in knowing if anyone has managed to fit recovery points to one that has a Toyo Bull Bar.

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If you post a photo, then I would be able to tell if they will fit or not.

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

If you post a photo, then I would be able to tell if they will fit or not.

I will take some and see if they are any good, I think the bash plates stop access to the bolts where the recovery points need to go.

I am definitely not a mechanic but I think I would need to cut holes in the bash plates so that the hooks could protrude down in to open space so that I could attach the shackles to them

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What are the bashplates fitted?

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

What are the bashplates fitted?

I had a Toyota alloy bullbar fitted, when they fit the BB they remove the front bumper, fit the B B and under the BB they put bash plates right across the front.

They go all the way back to the factory tie down/towing hooks so there is no where to attach anything unless I cut holes in the bash plates as far as I can see.

I am a newbie so if you or anyone else has fitted recovery points to a 150 with a factory BB then I would be keen to find out how it is done.

If I take a photo it will just show black plates, if I get down there with a torch I can see in behind where the alloy B bar is bolted to a fitting on each side chassis rail with 2 bolts.

Looking at the photos and youtubes these bolts are where the recovery points are usually attached to but I can't access that because the BB is in the way.

If I did fit them there they would not extend down past the BB bottom edge so I could not attach a shackle to them, I would have to cut the BB to allow the shackle to attach.

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Take a photo and we can go from there.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

So from that, it is OK to tow from the towing hooks under certain circumstances, I don't think I would like to be pulling something out that is in to the windows using them but should be OK for bulldust or slippery stuff a few inches deep.

Here is something that most people seem to not take into account when talking about this. Its your vehicle and if using these tow points for a recovery its because YOU are stuck, so your not the one DOING the recovery. So whether you think they are good enough really doesn't mean anything, its whether the guy doing the recovery thinks they are good enough. If he thinks they are unsafe he might just say too bad mate, get yourself out!

Cheers Andrew

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

Here is something that most people seem to not take into account when talking about this. Its your vehicle and if using these tow points for a recovery its because YOU are stuck, so your not the one DOING the recovery. So whether you think they are good enough really doesn't mean anything, its whether the guy doing the recovery thinks they are good enough. If he thinks they are unsafe he might just say too bad mate, get yourself out!

Cheers Andrew

Sure Andrew, very true, but I have the same option should I find someone in trouble so that is only fair.

At present it would seem that anyone who has a Toyota BB has got the same problem. I can only assume that other brand BBs either don't come with bash plates or have a space/slot that allows the recovery points to be fitted.

[ehanich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ehanich]

Well... better to be safe than sorry ... I ordered the Roadsafe Recovery Points yesterday and miraculously received them today! Ive checked out the fitment and it looks pretty straight forward - using the already tapped hole at the front and feeding the "wire bolt" through a hole at the back.

I was a bit sceptical - but 15 mins (a side) might actually be right... we will see tonight when I do the actual install.

Thanks for everyones opinions....

[ehanich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ehanich]

Well - I couldnt wait. It was pretty straight forward. a little Fiddly though.

I ended up removing the tyre so as to not kill my back - with no Mrs here to hold a torch to line the bolts up - it ended up being a lot easier to line up and get the bolt in place. I also worked out bending the wire in a couple of kinks really made it easy on the second side.

here is the finished product!

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

Well - I couldnt wait. It was pretty straight forward. a little Fiddly though.

I ended up removing the tyre so as to not kill my back - with no Mrs here to hold a torch to line the bolts up - it ended up being a lot easier to line up and get the bolt in place. I also worked out bending the wire in a couple of kinks really made it easy on the second side.

here is the finished product!

Hi,

What model Prado is yours ?

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

Take a photo and we can go from there.

I haven't posted photos here before so hopefully they work

The first photo shows the plates fitted when the BB was fitted, as you can see they go back to the tow hooks.

The second photo may be a bit confusing but I am directly under the tow hook, the hook is welded to the underside of the chassis rail where the long rail ENDS.

The fitting which holds the bumper and or BullBar is only bolted onto the chassis rail cross members, if anyone attaches recovery points to the bumper bar fittings all of the weight feeds back to the bolts (as far as I can see) not to the actual chassis rail. The bolts heads are the silver ones immediately to the left of the tow hook.

I am no mechanic so I don't know the correct words but the weight would be pulling against the thread holding the nut on.

Looking at photos of fitted recovery plates the bolts go sideways through the chassis and they could be fitted like that by cutting part of the plating away BUT the fitting that the points are attached to appears to me to be only bolted onto the chassis further back underneath.

It is possible that the tow points could be stronger than any recovery points attached to the bumper bar fittings as far as I can see.

Could someone with a 150 have a look please, I am definitely not a mechanic

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I need a photo of this area

[ehanich Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ehanich]

Hi,

What model Prado is yours ?

Prado 150 GXL 2010 D4D

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

I have had another look at the online photos and I noticed the black tow hook on one of them so I am looking too far forward.

I have been back underneath and took more photos and now AMTS is circling the same spot so I am getting there now.

This photo will be right, this would give me one bolt through the chassis and one bolt through where the tow hooks are attached.

Please tell me I am right