As you only poke bears as a hobby the fact you don't get paid for it means you can't be a "Professional bear poker", you can only be an "Amateur Bear Poker" so you should change your title as it's misleading. It could even be considered false advertising.
I've just read page 1 and not this whole thread after I discovered there was 11 pages, but I'd just like to note that I have seen a factory welded recovery point come off the chassis of a GU patrol. I'm guessing the prado ones must be stronger, judging by the comments I have read.
I'm a little cautious though and would probably use one of my tree trunk protector straps between the two front welded recovery points with a snatch strap eyelet through the tree trunk protector to share the load. Haven't had a recovery in the prado yet but I'm not keen on buying $150+ recovery points if they're not necessary.
I know I have put this up before http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MmrL...eature=related jump to 1min 20secs but it still answers the question for me. The only reason I'll be fitting after market ones is because most clubs, PP etc want them on before you can go on an outing with them. I have pulled heaps of times from the factory points and never had an issue but again I will put some on to keep all required happy............Cheers Steve
I know I have put this up before http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MmrL...eature=related jump to 1min 20secs but it still answers the question for me. The only reason I'll be fitting after market ones is because most clubs, PP etc want them on before you can go on an outing with them. I have pulled heaps of times from the factory points and never had an issue but again I will put some on to keep all required happy............Cheers Steve
As can be clearly seen, the Toyota loops are 100% intact. The chassis has broken behind where aftermarket recovery points would be mounted so this clearly demonstrates that fitting aftermarket points would have made no difference whatsoever.
To be honest, I suspect the rule that these clubs should be imposing is that snatch straps are banned because they impart forces into the chassis that it was never designed for. I'm not just talking Prado's here, it applies to ANY vehicle that your average 4WD'er will have. There are probably exceptions but now you're talking about military and custom vehicles. I mean Prado's, Landcruiser's, Triton's, Patrol's, Pathfinder's etc.
I agree it is more technically about snatch straps but that's not what the clubs and training organizations have jumped on and they are not going to change their minds as that might mean admitting they were wrong.
Didn't think this thread was over lol
Well, I haven't heard a fat lady singing yet, so I guess not
But Andrew (AJ120) hasn't returned to civilisation yet, so there's more mileage in it yet -
Is Marble Bar civilization
Honestly this is just the same old crap going round and round in circles just like it has since PP started. Get the fat lady to sing because I for one couldn't care less what people do!
Cheers Andrew
[COLOR="#FF0000"]So Long and Thanks for all the Fish![/COLOR]
[url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3840-AJ-s-120-Prado]MY PRADO AND DIY CAMPER TRAILER[/url]
Just to give a bit of additional perspective consider the recovery points compared to the towbar.
My towbar is mounted directly both laterally and longitudinally to the chassis using 8 off 10.9 M12 bolts. The welded backet of the towbar wraps around the chassis for additional strength. It is attached to purpose made mounting points.
The entire towbar structure is rated at 3t dynamic load.
Compare this with the recovery point attachment which is two bolt holes in 2.5mm steel loaded through a lever that may not be properly mounted to the chassis (judging by some of the photos) and the argument is that this can handle a 5t offset dynamic load?
There is a basic concept that an older engineer taught me during my studies and training, called eyeing something in. Without doing calculations I can tell you that the recovery points don't look right, especially the incorrectly mounted ones.
Jasen, you seem to have ignored this post. Surely you've got a witty response?
The more I look at both options the clearer it is that extreme caution is required.
I agree it is more technically about snatch straps but that's not what the clubs and training organizations have jumped on and they are not going to change their minds as that might mean admitting they were wrong.
Didn't think this thread was over lol
Not all clubs. The club I am in has 4wd Victoria trained instructors. They had a look at the factory points on my 150 and said they were fine for use.
Stephen Bloomer
I did have - 2010 GXL D4D Auto, ARB bullbar, rails, sliders, winch, 40mm lift, Brown Davis bash plates and long range tank
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