Offroad-Express

Hi all, after much internet searching and looking i cant find anything definitive on rear recovery points.

The fronts easy, has bolt holes and have got the hooks already in there. The rear is not so easy.

I have a Best Bars tubular towbar in there at the moment, which sits rather low I dont mind removing the towbar and bumper, but I can not see any where to fit rated tow hooks. What do other surf owners do, can I have some tags welded to the tow bar and then use shackles?? I need some rated points so WHEN i get stuck i can get pulled out, and also to meet the requirements for clubs? Any hints or tips on where to go or what to buy?

Also those in the know, what radio should I be looking at for Auckland based 4x4 clubs, CB or PRS?

Thanks in advance

have you checked the holes that the tow bar is bolted into up into the chassis? They should have a captive nut. You get 20mm longer bolts, so the bolts go through your tow hook, then the towbar frame, and then into the chassis.(185 series Surf experience talking here, I hope the KZN130 is similar/same)

There is nothing that is typically a bolt on job, you may have to get a simple bar made up to house the hooks. I've done a few in the past and had it so the tow bar was a whole separate bar.

Remove towball. Insert shackle. Done.

Is that good enough for clubs? Most of the clubs state you MUST have 2 recovery points on the rear?

zukmeista wrote:Remove towball. Insert shackle. Done.

No.

The whole idea of a rated hook is that it will open up when over stressed. A shackle is prone to go flying off at great speed, with potentially deadly results.

This has been discussed at length on this forum and is the reason why clubs have policies regarding recovery points on member trucks.

I have seen you post up some rubbish on this forum but this gem could result in someone getting carried out of the bush in a body
bag, so perhaps refrain from hitting the reply button when you've got no clue what you're on about.

That settles that then. Ill send tom another message to see how much to make a bar

go and see Stu at the steel surgeon in manukau city. tell him what you want what you will be using it for etc. he will be able to knock one up no problem at all.
another good crowd is akkerbuild but they were in nelson st penrose but unsure of there new location

smurf182 wrote:

zukmeista wrote:Remove towball. Insert shackle. Done.

No.
The whole idea of a rated hook is that it will open up when over stressed. A shackle is prone to go flying off at great speed, with potentially deadly results.
This has been discussed at length on this forum and is the reason why clubs have policies regarding recovery points on member trucks.
I have seen you post up some rubbish on this forum but this gem could result in someone getting carried out of the bush in a body
bag, so perhaps refrain from hitting the reply button when you've got no clue what you're on about.

Bullshit, if a proper rated shackle is used there is no problem whatsoever with doing it this way, the strap will give way long before the shackle. And a rope can't fall off a shackle like it can fall off a hook. By your logic you shouldn't use a shackle in any recovery situation including winching which most people do.

mudlva wrote:go and see Stu at the steel surgeon in manukau city. tell him what you want what you will be using it for etc. he will be able to knock one up no problem at all.
another good crowd is akkerbuild but they were in nelson st penrose but unsure of there new location

Cool cheers. Akkerbuilt is now on Industry road penrose. We used to deal with them for work.

zukmeista wrote:Bullshit, if a proper rated shackle is used there is no problem whatsoever with doing it this way, the strap will give way long before the shackle.

or the pissy cantilevered towbar rips out of the chassis with shackle and strap attached or starts working loose with elongated mounting holes and/or sheared mounting bolts

I would sooner trust a towbar spreading the load over both sides of the chassis than a hook pulling off one side held on by 2 bolts... If the towbar has been made properly there won't be an issue, the same issues you point out could apply to a hook also eg loose or incorrect bolts so perhaps replace the towbar bolts with new high tensile ones done up correctly to save any problems.