This is a question I put on the yahoo Prado group
forum but is not limited to just Prado's and some comments are probably true for most makes.
Plus there are a lot of overzealous people out there who make some uninformed comments like the Mitsi twisting or ripping apart the chassis if snatched. This got to the stage where I think the factory did a snatch
test in a 4wd mag to refute the claims by the so called experts and some training officers.
This question has come about due to the lack of rated recovery
points on the new Prado 120 series. The front as we all know is a problem. The
rear has points where you can fit an aftermarket rated recovery
point on the chassis but depending on angle of pull would probably
foul the bumper.
Also I am hearing that a lot of clubs are not letting or making hard
for 120 owners to go on club trips due to not having a rated
recovery point. Some will allow the use of a bridal on the front tow
hooks and some won't.
The other day I was looking at a 4x4 mag and saw a hook that for
want of a better description is a rated recovery hook bolted into a
towbar receiver. It is rated at 10,000lb and there is another rated
at 20,000lb.
Fantastic the rear problem has been solved......... or has it? I am
sure most clubs would allow this to be used as it is a rated
recovery hook. I have previously just put a snatch strap through the
receiver and hooked onto the pin which is recognised as OK to do
however some say they have bent pins.
Hence I guess the receiver hook but doesn't this rely on the stength
of the pin, the strength of the towbar and the strength of what it
is bolted to.
If you look at the 120 Toyota towbar it is cast steel and Toyota say
it is only recommended for towing at 2,500kg. So is it still alright
to put in a 20,000lb hitch and pull like hell.????
For that matter what is wrong with using a shackle through the hole
in the tongue where a ball would normally go instead of a shackle
through one of these special hitches.
Or should more owners and club instructors, trip coordinators etc.
use a bit more common sense.
I don't know the answer but I sure someone on this group would have
some further comment.
We have so little time to enjoy our land