Rear Recovery Points - Advice needed

On a Defender 90 (2003 TD5) what are peoples opinion on the use of a single recovery point based on the use of the tow bar fittings such as this example:

http://www.picturebay.net/img/guests/86173141156/Rear_Recovery_Point.jpg

Or would I be better going for a pair of more conventional recovery points such as these:

http://www.picturebay.net/img/guests/86173141156/Rear_Recovery_Point_2.jpg

To me the tow bar point looks very secure (multiple fixings) and is simple and needs no additional fitting or drillings of the rear cross member. the downside is that it is at the mid point of the rear cross member and my only concern would be damage/twisting of the rear cross member.

Whereas the alternative seems to be relying on a single fixing for each recovery point and there does not look to be a lot holding them in place, though they can be positioned in a better location structurally (if that is a factor to consider?).

Any comments positive or negative about each arrangement would be appreciated.

Thanks!

to be honest with you both work. However most go for the cheaper option and throw on a pair of jate rings on the chassis, they work a treat, are dirt cheap, and mean you can get rid of the tow bar if you dont need it which means you wont be ploughing when off roading

tow bars have alot of disadvantages, but if its there and it needs to be there its a decent recovery point! dont need a shackle, just the tow ball is pretty good.

then again, it has been proven that a unimog driving full belt in the other direction when attached to a tow bar may cause some slight damage to it

The first picture is OK but you risk bending the shackle mounting pin. These adjustable type of tow hitches use a removable plate which the ball is mounted to and that puts the load on the mounting pin towards where the pin passes through the frame rather than in the middle of the pin. Therefore the pin is designed to carry shear stress rather than a bending stress.

It would be better if you fitted the bow shackle (or two) using the same pin with one leg either side of the mounting frame left or right. This would mean the shackle is slightly off centre but the pin would be carrying loads it was designed for. The actual tow hitch mounting points are some of the strongest on your vehicle assuming that the rear cross member is sound.

Jate rings are the best way to go as they bolt through the chassis rails, front and back, with no drilling required. You can get cheap ones or even make your own if you are a competent welder. Original genuine cast Jates are few and far between these days and this is reflected in the price.

Or remove the tow hitch and fit a nato hitch. or get a couple of slider as shifty said and have a choice of towing options.

Thanks for responses and I fully appreciate what Shifty is saying about the shear Stresses which is a good point!

I also appreciate that Jate rings are quick and easy, but sometimes they may not be that accessible depending on where you are stuck! Hence looking at slightly higher alternatives.

Also I thought that you had to drill through the chasis to fit Jate rings? If this is not case (and please excuse my ignorance!) do they simply fit over the chasis or are there preformed holes for them on a Defender?

sj99 said:

Thanks for responses and I fully appreciate what Shifty is saying about the shear Stresses which is a good point!

I also appreciate that Jate rings are quick and easy, but sometimes they may not be that accessible depending on where you are stuck! Hence looking at slightly higher alternatives.

Also I thought that you had to drill through the chasis to fit Jate rings? If this is not case (and please excuse my ignorance!) do they simply fit over the chasis or are there preformed holes for them on a Defender?

Click to expand...

On older defenders & 90's they are preformed (MOD use em for slinging em under helicopters) but I int sure if they continued this woth the TD5 Buckshot is the man to ask as he's got a td5 90.

My 1998 TD5 90 has the holes with the requisite chassis spacers present both front and rear. It currently has the standard lashing eyes fitted but these unbolt and the Jates replace them. I've never got round to replacing them and now its getting cold and wet I doubt they'll get done until the weather warms up cos I'm a soft Southerner. I picked up four unused original miltary spec cast Jates on eBay but they did cost me the best part of £75.

Here's hoping I dont get stranded as they are no use sat in my cubby box. I do have a Dixon Bate jaw and pin towing hitch which will get me out of most trouble. As SJ99 says if you are in deep mud or water it can be a pain to attach cables to the Jates which is probably why the serious off roaders always attach their recovery cables/straps before they get stuck.

OK!

I have the standard towing eyes/lashing points on the front, so assuming these are also present on the back as well, it should be easy enough to add these as well.

Thanks for all the responses, they have been helpful.

Devon4x4 are doing forged jate rings for £13....might save a few people a few quid. Dunno if I'm allowed to post a link on here to it tho?