Rated Tow Hooks

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 at 20:40
ThreadID: 77883 Views:6942 Replies:6 FollowUps:6
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Hi all
Fairly new at this so please forgive stuff-ups. Problem is that I want to replace the "tow hooks' on my V8 Cruiser. These hooks are basically tie down hooks for transporting the vehicle and I understand should not be used for snatching. A mate had one break and go thru his back window!
Mannel Motors in Thornleigh (Sydney) sell a product made by (I think) Outback Ideas but it won't fit because the nuts and bolts holdiing the standard Toyota Bull Bar on comprimise the available space. The suggestion to replace the Bull Bar with an ARB unit has already been dismissed! Although it would solve the problem.
It just seems really strange to me that there are 1000's of Cruisers out there with Toyota Bars so why isn't there a rated tow hook available?
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 at 22:14

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 at 22:14
Toyota (like other manufacturers) don't want to expose themselves to litigation when a snatch recovery goes wrong and people get hurt.

ARB are they same - they won't sell you snatch recovery points any more.

Do don't say what series Landcruiser but many, like my 79series have excellent factory tow points that are suitable for snatching of you use an equaliser strap.
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Follow Up By: Charlie 12 - Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 at 22:21

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010 at 22:21
Thanks for the comments Phil. My Cruiser is a 100 series, 2004 model.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 10:43

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 10:43
I'm not sure how your factory bullbar is mounted, but there are 3 holes available on the underside of the chassis on each side. they are too widely spaced for the aftermarket hooks. When the dealers fit bullbars, they invariably remove the factory tow hook (which has a 60mm spacing) and throw it in the bin. Graham below was talking about refitting this hook, which is attached by two 12mm high tensile bolts. Some people get hold of another one of these hooks and fit it to the LHS as well.

Another alternative is to mount a 20cm length of 65x65x6mm angle iron to the underside of the chassis, using the three factory 12mm threaded holes. Then mount an aftermarket hook to the side of the angle iron. If you do this to both sides. The advantage of the hooks is that you won't need to use a heavy shackle that will add to the danger of a snatch recovery. It is what I prefer - and always use an equaliser strap so you halve the pull on each recovery point.

My only criticism of the outback ideas recovery point is that it looks stronger than the chassis, so it is possibe for them to pull out from the chassis under severe strain and along with the shackle, creates a heavy missile. There is another brand out there that utilises the 3 chassis holes, and that is what I'd prefer, but I'm guessing this won't fit with your bullbar.
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Reply By: HGMonaro - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 09:49

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 09:49
If it's anything like a Prado, you need to drill out one of the mounting holes to take the rated bolts which involves moving the radiator out of the way slightly. Maybe have a read of the LCOOL site, they'll know.
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 09:53

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 09:53
Well I dont intend doing any snatch recoveries but when I put my bullbar on I just bought two longer bolts and put the front hook that was there back on.

Toyota state it is a towing device so it will do me.
AnswerID: 413746

Reply By: get outmore - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 10:36

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 10:36
You say a mate had one break and go through a back window
while its not beyond the realms of possability it migt pay to find out exactly what happened.
I could well be wrong but im guessing it could be likely your mate was told it by anther mate.
It would take avery unreasnable recovery to break one of those "tie downs"
a local mag had them tested and from memory they failed at 6 or 8 tonnes and from the look of the damage they failed through the bolt holes due to only being bolted in place with one bolt
AnswerID: 413752

Follow Up By: cycadcenter - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 11:46

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 11:46
Just what sort of rating is required by a hook?

Bruce
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Follow Up By: Rob! - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 16:14

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 16:14
It may be wise to point out that in any failed recovery the first thing you want to break is the snatch strap. So in this case a 6 or 8 tonne snatch strap would be the maximum to use.
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Reply By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 15:10

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 15:10
Charlie,

Rated recovery points for the 100 series can be brought from Macquarie 4x4 website click here


These (the one on the left) utilise 2 of the 3 chassis holes on the 100 series with IFS.

AnswerID: 413771

Follow Up By: Effie C (NT) - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 19:13

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 19:13
These are listed as rated tow points not recovery points.

From website

"Rated Tow Points
Macqarie 4x4 manufacture and test our own rated tow hooks for most of the major 4wds,Nissan,Toyota etc etc our range is always expanding"

I don't think anyone in Oz will sell a true independently "rated" recovery hook / point due to the insurance hassles if something goes wrong, also cost of having an item certified and tested to a rating would make the small volume sales of this items prohibitive
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 22:02

Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 22:02
Effie,

They recently changed from recovery points to Rated tow points, becoming common in 4WD industry as you say due to insurance.

However Lukey 4x4 (click here) do state that their items ARE recobery points.

Unfortnately they only make them for 80 and 105 not IFS 100 as the 3 chassis holes are spaced slightly different.

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FollowupID: 684028

Reply By: Charlie 12 - Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 at 19:58

Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 at 19:58
Thanks to everyone for the comments/advice. Have to give this a bit more thought but it does seem there are some options out there - just takes a bit of lateral thinking.
AnswerID: 413939

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