Monday, Mar 02, 2015 at 20:16
Drew... Playing devil's advocate for a moment, if I may....
When you say: " there is nothing else to be a projectile apart from the strap itself"....I hope you are correct.
The potential problem (in my eyes) is that we have virtually no control over the next step/s in the mounting. Take for example the above
pic of that nifty box-section with the solid steel bar. Great bit of gear for sure and I would have every confidence in it not failing.
However, what is THAT attached to?
Well, let's see: It is mounted in the vehicle's standard tow hitch receiver (Hayman Reece or similar). That box section is welded to the main section of the tow bar assembly. Accordingly, we have to have faith in the welding quality of that joint.
The cross-arm of the towbar usually has 2 sections (one at either end)of heavy gauge flat (or angle) steel which is bolted to the chassis. In many of these set-ups the cross member is attached to these 2 end brackets via welds, but the square box section is mounted through square holes in those end pieces. That is good news.
What about the bolts that hold the total towbar assembly to the chassis? Are these "rated"? Even if they are....have you ever had a gander inside the chassis cavity? In many instances the bolts are held in place by welded captive nuts put there by the original manufacturer and designed to hold the original bumper bar in position.
Accordingly, in my mind, it would not be unreasonable to doubt the integrity of those bolts and/or the captive nuts....they are simply welded to the relatively thin steel that forms the chassis.
If any ONE of those items lets go there could be some clean undies being required by driver/s and/or bystanders.
Roachie
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