Patrol Recovery point ?

Hi, just getting my first patrol shortly and presumed that the bolted on loop on the middle of the rear bumper is a suitable recovery point for towing and snatch recovery as i've read you should never use a tow ball. Am i correct about this ?

No mate that is not a rated recovery point so cannot be trusted. In my opinion the best way to go is to put a recovery hitch into your Hayman Reece hitch receiver like this
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Recovery-...ht_2239wt_1139

Another way to go is to remove the tow hitch and poke the strap through the hole and then replace the pin.

But you are definitely correct about not using the tow ball as a recovery point, that is the number 1 no-no!

Check out this thread Al, but dont use that loop for a snatch whatever ya do mate http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...e-Fundamentals

The front factory hook can not be trusted either
Fit these to the front
http://www.lukeys4x4.com/products/im...pointsGUGQ.jpg
and one of these to the rear
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2012/04/62.jpg

Interesting question BigAl.H.

There are a few threads on here that contain a lot of valuable information, and peoples' opinions.

You need a set up that both recoverer and recoveree are happy with, as well as being safe.

For instance, I have fitted the front plates pictured above, despite being personally comfortable with the factory hook at the front of my GQ. No point stressing a potential recoverer who does not thinkg the same as me. Or stressing myself because no one will hook up :-)

I also bought one of those fittings that go into the tow bar receiver, however I have since learned that the general (but not universal) consensus is that the factory tow bar pin is just as good.

Opinions on this might differ, too, but I think that if it is a snatch recovery, the snatch strap should be the weakest link. Better to have a strap fail than have a strap pull a bit of metalwork off a chassis and launch it. Slow and steady and adequate preparation should keep the stresses and strains within sensible levels.

if that loop at the back of the car is not rated for recovery what is it there for

It is suitable for towing or as a tie down point.

Tappa tappa

ok cheers mate

I have seen one of the factory hooks fail (lucky no one was injured) and the dent it put in the steel tray of the ute recovering the Gq was unbelievable.
The problem with the factory hook is it's welded to a plate and where it is welded it cracks then snap's.
It maybe right for a few recovery's but are you willing to risk your life or someone else's life?

Good on you AL for asking though mate. Never know if you didn't ask and now you know and might have saved some damage or a life mate!