New Prado - Recovery Hooks

Willy

TJM sell "Outback Ideas" recovery points for the Prado (front). My last Prado was used as a test bed in the development of the product.

The car comes with shipping tie down points and should not be used for recovery under any circumstances

If it's not too late, I'd strongly advise you to cancel the Toyota Bull Bar and have a look at ARB steel bars.

Regards

Kim

The 120series comes with two front towing loops which are welded to the chassis. So they require a 3.25T shackle to attach anything. The suitability of these for snatching can be hotly debated. In my opinion, they are adequate provided an equaliser strap is used. An equaliser strap halves the load on each point and should prevent a runaway shackle.

But you can buy aftermarket recovery points for the 120series. These bolt to the chassis on each side, but still require a shackle, so IMO still require an equaliser strap.

You will get other opinions, but with 4wds, the manufacturers will only rate their hooks and tow points for TOWING. Thats their call. Its up to you to make sure snatch recovery is safe.

Rear recovery - simply use the square receiver on the towbar. My preference is to use only the pin to retain the strap and keep it simple. If anyone were to bend the HT pin, they are pulling too hard.

Cheers
Phil

Toyota has changed the original front recovery loops to a more robust version from 2005 models onwards, so using them with equaliser strap should be OK.

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Willykj,
I've got a 2006 120 series and the "tie down points" are superb for snatches and recoveries. I recently pulled a 100series out of a bogged situation while he was rim deep in water and towing a big trailer. Ribbed my mate about it for ages. The tie down i used did not flinch/bend/distort at all and i had 2 hard snatches to get him out of the chit. Work for me so i won't bother buying the hooks.