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standard recovery points (GQ)

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:38 pm
by Cossie
whats the deal with the tow eye in the rear bar of a GQ?
whats it attached to and is it good enough to use for snatching/winching or is the towbar a better option?

also the same with the front recovery/tie down points - one on each side attached to the chassis, they any good or has anyone had problems with them?

Ive got a pair of recovery hooks to go on but dont know if I'll get chance to do it before this weekend!

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:48 pm
by Rob B
I haven't used the eyes on the front of the chassis, but I have pulled the hook in the middle of the front off already.
It is strong, but not for the way we used it ;)
I use the eyes on the home made front bumper now.

The eye on the back is very strong.
The plate where the eye is welded on is a little bent, but still it is used for all recovery at the rear without any problems.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:17 pm
by krimnl
the point you refer to on the rear is not suitable for snatching. they are not fully welded or gusseted and do not pass for any ccda events.
you are much safer to use the towbar.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:57 pm
by HeathGQ
Cossie wrote:whats the deal with the tow eye in the rear bar of a GQ?
whats it attached to and is it good enough to use for snatching/winching or is the towbar a better option? avoid using this where possible. As stated it is not a recovery point. Use the towbar - if a hayman reece, you should take the ball out of the tongue and use a shackle through the hole.

also the same with the front recovery/tie down points - one on each side attached to the chassis, they any good or has anyone had problems with them? the standard GQ / GU hook on the front - inside the right-hand chassis - is a recovery point. It has a plate welded at the open end of the hook to hold the strap in the hook.

Ive got a pair of recovery hooks to go on but dont know if I'll get chance to do it before this weekend!

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:49 pm
by beretta
Better option than removing the ball and using the hitch with a shackle...slide the hitch out, put the loop in side the tow bar receiver and put the pin through the loop with the safety pin in the end. That way if the pin breaks you don't have a tow hitch turning into a projectile and taking someones head off.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:16 am
by ozy1
with the hitch in place the loads of the snatch are transfered through th very outer sides of the box section,

where as, the load of a strap just on the pin, are more central, that is where you are likely to have more brakages.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:09 am
by HeathGQ
beretta wrote:Better option than removing the ball and using the hitch with a shackle...slide the hitch out, put the loop in side the tow bar receiver and put the pin through the loop with the safety pin in the end. That way if the pin breaks you don't have a tow hitch turning into a projectile and taking someones head off.
the pin is unlikely to break, but bend... and then you'll never get it out and have to go and buy a new tongue. and as stated by Ozy, the shear forces are better distributed with the hitch in.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:54 am
by beretta
Fair enough, I see your point. I guess I've just always done it that way.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:17 am
by HeathGQ
beretta wrote:Fair enough, I see your point. I guess I've just always done it that way.
its a common practice.... its probably safe enough, but I feel its better practice to use the tongue adn shackle.... all connected properly with rated shackles and strap etc etc.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:48 pm
by beretta
There you go, never stop learning in this sport! Thanks for the info.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:27 pm
by Cossie
All good info, but unfortunately my towbar is not a hayman reese jobby :cry:

nevermind, what about the front eyes that come down the chassis each side? anyone had any success or horror stories using them? :)

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:33 pm
by Daisy
Cossie wrote:All good info, but unfortunately my towbar is not a hayman reese jobby :cry:

nevermind, what about the front eyes that come down the chassis each side? anyone had any success or horror stories using them? :)
they arent a recovery point.. mainly a tie down point for transporting..

they will rip for sure if you recover from them.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:37 pm
by ozy1
ive only ever used the eyes for a very light drag, still i wouldnt recomend this, always follow one rule - if it isnt rated its not to be used,

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:55 am
by sox121
Has any one ever read there OWNERS MANUAL? My MAVERICK one ( pg 59 ) Use the towing hooks ONLY to free a vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc. The manual shows the two hooks, one on the front ( RH side ) and the loop on the back ( which is bolted with 4 bolts to the chassis cross member behind the step ) pic below of the hook I use.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:28 pm
by mabsydney
In Issue 76 of 4wd Monthly, page 252 there is a recovery hook from outback ideas designed to replace the rear tow hook on a patrol. So they must believe the chassis cross member is strong enough....

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:25 pm
by Daisy
its bolted with 4 M10 bolts...

obviously very strong

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:00 pm
by turps
I made my own recovery tougne that goes into the hayman reece style towbar. All it is square tube with a holw drilled for the pin to go through. Then we just bolted a commercial recovery hook on to it.
Has worked well so far. It has been used for some med level snatch recoverys and to anchor the car while winching an 80seriesLC.