Which rear recovery point?

[dailysleaze]

I seen these two different types of recovery point to fit to the tow hitch holes on a rear crossmember. Other than price and visual size, has anyone got any experience/views of their suitability? I'm looking at something that can handle recovering vehicles with 1 axle stuck, with snatching being a rare event.

http://www.lrsshop.co.uk/content/rear-recovery-hitch

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-recovery-Swivel-Shackle-/321077261238

I already have jate rings, but find the ability to not get on hands and knees appealing!

[Mustardman]

If you enter any form of competition welded type recovery points are generally not allowed, even if done professionally. If its for occasional use its hard to beat a standard tow ball and spreader plate.

[western]

bolt on ring item 1 in http://lrcat.com/#31/4/52784 would be fine with the item 3 decent spreader plate on other side of cross member, I bought one ages ago, but if fitted it interferes with my adjustable tow hitch & slider plates.

[Pollywog]

What's wrong with a dixon bate jaw? They're properly rated and with a good spreader plate should be ideal, same sort of price too.

[specialbikejames]

They are both ok, as are NATO hitches and standard tow hitches. It's the spreader plates which you need to keep the thing workable, the standard cross member is paper thin.

[dailysleaze]

A tow ball would be fine but the departure angle has caught me out before and I don't do any towing.

It's a Td5 crossmember which doesn't have bolt holes all the way through, so i'm not sure how to get a spreader plate into the setup.

[Anderzander]

I have one very similar to the 2nd one, which has been great for me.

[dailysleaze]

What's wrong with a dixon bate jaw? They're properly rated and with a good spreader plate should be ideal, same sort of price too.

Do you mean one of these? (lower pic)

http://forum.lro.com/viewtopic.php?p=523240#p523240

I've not discounted anything at the moment as long as it doesn't affect the departure angle.

[specialbikejames]

Well the Td5 set up With the Dixon jaw looks good. Didn't really think about the rear mounted tank on the Td5 in my post above so I guess you'll have to wave the inner spreader plate unless you want to drop the tank.

[Pollywog]

I didn't realise the td5 crossmember was that much different.

Dixon bate do several types of jaw, the 3.5 ton bolt holes are standard tow ball fitting, the 5 ton jaw bolt holes are the same as the NATO hitch.

I was in Leisure Mart in Pershore last week they do a combined ball & pin rated at 4 ton for about £25.

[Phil]

Land Rover does a kit for the Td5 which allows you to mount a hitch on the crossmember. It includes a spreader plate and reinforcing bracket. Like many Genuine Parts items it's not cheap, but it's quick and easy to fit.

Phil.

[bluespanner]

NATO hitch, if all you ever intend to pull is a rope. Keep it oiled though.

[Tanuki]

I've only ever found it necessary to use the OEM tow-hitch; but there again I'm more used to recovering wayward rally-cars that have gone off into the flora than being recovered myself.

[Mo Murphy]

Land Rover does a kit for the Td5 which allows you to mount a hitch on the crossmember. It includes a spreader plate and reinforcing bracket. Like many Genuine Parts items it's not cheap, but it's quick and easy to fit.

Phil.

Phil, do you have any idea of a part number for that kit by any chance ?

Mo

[western]

might be this bit http://lrcat.com/31/4/52566

[Phil]

Mo, apologies for not responding sooner, I've been away. I couldn't haven given you the part numbers but happily the omniscient Ralph has! That is indeed the bit and it works well for me.

All the best,

Phil.

[Troll Hunter]

The OP stated that he has JATE rings. What are the limitations with these for recovery?

Mike

[Phil]

I believe JATE rings were designed for attachment of the lifting strops used when moving vehicles as an underslung load beneath a helicopter. The army does use them for recovery, although we were taught not to on the driving course I did 30 years ago. I'm sure someone will be along to explain any technical issues, however, the main issue I've found is practical.

I find it much easier to pop a recovery rope in the jaw of a tow hitch on the crossmember than to get under the vehicle and fix a strop to rear JATE rings which tend to be especially hard to reach when the vehicle's bogged down.

Phil.

[dailysleaze]

After some more research, they both seem to have been used with no dramas. The swivel one looks like it's made for pre-Td5 as it has a sandwich plate that it screws into.

Here's some other good reading:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/post213250.html

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=2690 (Lots of photos missing but enough to illustrate)

http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php/158018-Rear-recovery-point-on-07-110-Standard-x-member-strong-enough

I think I will try to get a spreader plate and use a Dixon bate ball with pin eventually. In the meantime i've bought the fixed loop recovery point.

Thanks for the ideas!

[GW8IZR]

This is how its done:

gulp!

Just a reminder of the forces involved... and you might end up on the end of a rope with a "profeshinul" at the other end!

[Anderzander]

Good God ?

[muddy]

IMHO cuddas videos are a public service, very informative videos of what can and does go wrong all from the safety of your arm chair!

Will.

[Troll Hunter]

Thanks for the reply, Phil. I agree on the accessability, or lack of, especially in mud, but I'm relieved that nobody has pointed out any weaknesses with JATE rings for recovery.

Mike

[western]

Use a bridle with JATE rings, it spreads the load between the 2 rings/chassis rails, There's a few threads in here about JATE ring use & a drawing of how I fit a tow rope with a bridle.

if you suspect the vehicle might get stuck fit the recovery rope/strop before going into the sticky stuff.

[Mo Murphy]

Yup, got the number, Thanks Phil.

Mo