P38 Recovery Points?

kooky_guy · Dec 15, 2009

I've been a bit nervous off roading due to the lack of anything to attach a towrope to if I ever get stuck. Luckily I've managed to avoid it so far but I'm sure it will happen one day. Having seen some of the pictures from Sunday, I'm almost glad my airspring broke!

Anyway, I really ought to think about this properly. What are my options on a P38?

Presumably a towbar would do the job on the rear but I've not fitted one because I'm afraid it'll block access to my lpg filler. Has anyone got lpg and a towbar and if so where is your filler?

What are my options on the front? pretend I'm a complete numpty and don't know anything. I've heard a lot of terms used (jate rings?) but don't have a clue what they are or how and where to fit them...

Advice anyone?

Guy

kernowdragon · Dec 15, 2009

P38's are a bit of a pain in respect of recovery points. A good tow bar sohuld be OK to the rear, but I redrilled the mounting holes to up the normal 10mm bolts to 12.

The front is tricker as there isn't really anything off the shelf. JATE rings aren't really even worth looking at unless you've cut away the front spoiler, cause the angles involved would twist it up, but it could be done if you could find some to fit the frame rails.

If you're up for fabricating something, or know someone who is, then a quick google will give you several ideas. It's the crash cans/air bag triggers that cause the problems, meaning you can't fit anything to the bumper.

kooky_guy · Dec 15, 2009

kernowdragon said:
P38's are a bit of a pain in respect of recovery points. A good tow bar sohuld be OK to the rear, but I redrilled the mounting holes to up the normal 10mm bolts to 12.

The front is tricker as there isn't really anything off the shelf. JATE rings aren't really even worth looking at unless you've cut away the front spoiler, cause the angles involved would twist it up, but it could be done if you could find some to fit the frame rails.

If you're up for fabricating something, or know someone who is, then a quick google will give you several ideas. It's the crash cans/air bag triggers that cause the problems, meaning you can't fit anything to the bumper.

Hmm. LR didn't think about this very much when they designed the P38, did they!

I seem to remember crazyjase was fabricating a steering guard with built in recovery points. Perhaps I should get him to do me one. I think I'm going to need something sooner or later!

The towbar's a bit of a buggr. My lpg filler is using one of the trailer electric holes and it's really handy there but even a removable towbar will foul it, I think.

Hmmm...

SpudH · Dec 15, 2009

kooky_guy said:
The towbar's a bit of a buggr. My lpg filler is using one of the trailer electric holes and it's really handy there but even a removable towbar will foul it, I think.

Hmmm...

Post a photo but I'd imagine that all you'd have to do is angle the filler a small bit, the OEM tail hook is fairly neat when its in place.

kernowdragon · Dec 16, 2009

This is the site I particularly had in mind for front recovery points: P38 Recovery Points

Depending on how the pipework runs behind the bumper I don't see why your lpg filler should cause a problem, my towbar bolted to the rear x-member and runs straight out the back with no bits to interfere to either side, and the hitch plate is a good 6-8"s clear of the bumper so shouldn't block access to the filler. You can even put the wiring for a single socket on the opposite side and use the bar for it's intended purpose too. A cast ball and pin hitch would be better for dual use, or if you only intend ever using it for recovery a NATO hitch would be strongest. I'll see if I can get some photos tomorrow, oppps I think I mean later now!

crazyjase · Dec 16, 2009

I have a tow bar on mine and the filler is on a bracket next to it, I've made a skid plate that bolts onto the towball mount and gives a 10mm plate skid that protects the tow ball and means that when it does bash something, which happens alot, then its the skid that takes it not the towball, I was going to try and find somewhere out the way to relocate the LPG filler but don't know if I'll bother now its pretty well protected now

goonarmy · Dec 16, 2009

wangie46 put a jate ring through the front but that needed the skirt cutting.

kooky_guy · Dec 16, 2009

crazyjase said:
I have a tow bar on mine and the filler is on a bracket next to it, I've made a skid plate that bolts onto the towball mount and gives a 10mm plate skid that protects the tow ball and means that when it does bash something, which happens alot, then its the skid that takes it not the towball, I was going to try and find somewhere out the way to relocate the LPG filler but don't know if I'll bother now its pretty well protected now

Ooh! Piccie?

Guy

kooky_guy · Dec 16, 2009

Here's a pic of my filler.

As you can see it's very close to where the towbar would be. I thought I might get away with it with a removable towbar, but I don't think I can as the filler nozzles are so big and cumbersome.

SpudH · Dec 16, 2009

here's a couple of pictures of underneath my OEM Towbar.

I'd guess you should have room but then I've not seen a filler.

kooky_guy · Dec 16, 2009

SpudH said:
here's a couple of pictures of underneath my OEM Towbar.

I'd guess you should have room but then I've not seen a filler.

Cheers SpudH. Interesting. It doesn't look very removable, that towbar!

I thought all the swan neck ones were quick release? obviously not.

I think I may have to go for a fixed one and move the filler. At least that would give me one recovery point. I was hoping not to have to move it though as it looks nice and neat as it is.

nathan5346 · Dec 16, 2009

kooky_guy said:
Here's a pic of my filler.

As you can see it's very close to where the towbar would be. I thought I might get away with it with a removable towbar, but I don't think I can as the filler nozzles are so big and cumbersome.

i reckon the swan neck oem towbar wud fit, post a pic of the underside

kooky_guy · Dec 16, 2009

nathan5346 said:
i reckon the swan neck oem towbar wud fit, post a pic of the underside

It will definitley fit, it's just I don't want to lose access to the lpg filler with the towbar on.

Guy

nathan5346 · Dec 16, 2009

kooky_guy said:
It will definitley fit, it's just I don't want to lose access to the lpg filler with the towbar on.

Guy

looking at ur picture a swan neck will fit without fouling the filler

hoarec · Dec 16, 2009

I bought mine already converted to LPG and the filler is next to the Fuel filler cap....as the car is black you do not really notice it....

kooky_guy · Dec 16, 2009

hoarec said:
I bought mine already converted to LPG and the filler is next to the Fuel filler cap....as the car is black you do not really notice it....

Me too, but the great thing about having it in the middle at the rear is that you can access the pump from either side.

SpudH · Dec 16, 2009

kooky_guy said:
Cheers SpudH. Interesting. It doesn't look very removable, that towbar!

I thought all the swan neck ones were quick release? obviously not.
.

No there's a dedicated OEM quick release tow hook that has a snap-on fitting on the right hand side. I've a picture in an RR Accesory boolet at home, I'll scan it and post it when I get there. It would be ideal for you.

post us a pic of the underside of yours. I'm sure that if you fabbed a little wedge piece you could angle the filler away from the hitch to give easy access evev with a permanent hitch.

kooky_guy · Dec 16, 2009

SpudH said:
No there's a dedicated OEM quick release tow hook that has a snap-on fitting on the right hand side. I've a picture in an RR Accesory boolet at home, I'll scan it and post it when I get there. It would be ideal for you.

post us a pic of the underside of yours. I'm sure that if you fabbed a little wedge piece you could angle the filler away from the hitch to give easy access evev with a permanent hitch.

Ok, it'll have to wait til tomorrow though as it's dark and wet now!

I actually want to be able to tow as well so I need to be able to refill with lpg with the hitch in place. I'm starting to think I might be best of getting a fixed one and just moving the filler on to it. There's even a couple on fleabag at the moment which actually include the extra crossmember!

Guy

SpudH · Dec 16, 2009

Here's that page from the accessory catalogue.

The part no. of the quick release type is STC8939

Steve Ashworth · Dec 16, 2009

You ought to be removing tow bars for off roading, not adding them.

Towbars increase overhang and that is not good - will catch more often than you realise and at its worst may cause you to need a tow!!!

One of the reasons why defenders are superior off road, as well as ground clearance is the very short overhang...

Please therefore consider if you are talking about serious off road - if you are, prepare properly.

P38 Recovery Points?

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