Nato Sankey Hook as recovery point?

What-o!

Quick question for the experts. I recently bought a 1990 Defender 90. Its got a Nato sankey hook on the rear cross member. Its not an ex-military defender and this was probably put on by the original owner (a farmer)

Is this suitable for use as a rear recovery point? Or should I just get some Jate rings and put them on the rear chassis? These are hoofin' great devices but im unsure of these are wise to use with, say, a kinetic rope?

Im off roading in it for the first time soon and just want to have the basics ready. For when I get stuck. As I will.

nowt wrong with one, I'm fitting the bigger version on the back of my vehicle but I like overkill

its a perfectly good recovery point with the added disclaimer of 'if your x member is solid' ..... nato hitch is stronger than x member will ever be.... make sure there is a spreader plate on the inside and its not just bolts n small washers

cheers steve

Dot use a kinetic rope unless both parties involved know what they are doing, thick tow rope is usually best,

That said, if the xmember is good and you can lock the hitch closed, should be ok

Cheers! Will do a more thorough look at rear X member and how the hook is attached at the weekend. If its solid I will use it, but I do know its not 100% around the edges

Never used a kinetic rope (when I was in the army it was eitther a rigid bar or Reccy mech for recovery!) but going with experienced off roaders adn Im a pretty handy chap at such things. I do undertsand the basics and the risks (and therefore precautions!)

In truth my first attempt off road is intended to be gentle. I bought a £3k 'project' so I need to do more work before Im fully confident going axle deep in crap. However after 3 months of tarmac and money Im itching to get it a little bit muddy!

Needs to have the plates front and back

SteNova said:

Needs to have the plates front and back

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depends how you fit it I'm not using them

best advice when it comes to recovery is minimum people involved and get anyone else at least twice the length of tow rope away.

driver, recovered driver and if needed one person to co-ordinate a safe distance away

I've seen some ridiculous idiots stood alongside a recovery...mobile phones out doing the you tube thing...

and ive also seen a complete idiot lose his leg from knee down when a standard swr winch rope snapped n cheese wired his leg recovering a boat on a beach in Greece

make absolutely sure your recovery points are solid, a recovery point heading through a windscreen with 10 tonnes of force will not stop when it meets your head, your bulkhead or your rear door

winch blankets are good even when not winching or a heavy jacket etc placed on rope... its not just a kerr that will spring

most of the idiots I've seen said they were 'experienced' off roaders

cheers steve

SteNova said:

Needs to have the plates front and back

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why?? plate at front will do bugger all... the force is always backwards whether towing or recovering.. an extra plate at the front is pointless

cheers steve

Remind me bring my phone when your recovering stuff

SteNova said:

Remind me bring my phone when your recovering stuff

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who?? the op or me??

cheers steve

ebbadger said:

best advice when it comes to recovery is minimum people involved and get anyone else at least twice the length of tow rope away.

driver, recovered driver and if needed one person to co-ordinate a safe distance away

I've seen some ridiculous idiots stood alongside a recovery...mobile phones out doing the you tube thing...

and ive also seen a complete idiot lose his leg from knee down when a standard swr winch rope snapped n cheese wired his leg recovering a boat on a beach in Greece

make absolutely sure your recovery points are solid, a recovery point heading through a windscreen with 10 tonnes of force will not stop when it meets your head, your bulkhead or your rear door

most of the idiots I've seen said they were 'experienced' off roaders

cheers steve

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Some good advice there, and yep, ive seen some fools on youtube doing ludicrous recoveries. One tip Ive been given is to put your bonnet up if being recovered from the front. That way it will take force of hooks etc. parting ways. Of course two things spring to mind... you cant see and the bonnet will bounce like buggery! Having worked my entire life in risky industries/occupations i do have a healthy repsect for...errr... health and safety.

Anyhoo, i dont plan to get too stuck just yet. Currently pondering axle and gearbox breathers. Ive been underneath recently and I dont recall seeing a pipe for the transfer box. Currently trying to find a photo of how/where it attaches to transfer box so I can check....

to be honest more often than not people don't think things through rather than being deliberately dangerous but as you clearly know its a bit late thinking 'oh bugger' as that jate ring is approaching lol

cheers steve

Flashman said:

Currently trying to find a photo of how/where it attaches to transfer box so I can check....

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drill n tap it and screw in a push fit breather

cheers steve

Well, I went off road for the first time in my new Landy. Didn't need my Sankey hook for recovery. I did have to rescue a Mitsubishi though..... Watch!

The world set right by Landrover - YouTube

One of the other videos shows just how that Mitsubish got like that!