Deaths from towballs

I never realized the death toll was so high. that's terrible

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Originally Posted by MudSlut

Another note to add to this WARNING.

This weekend we were 4wding and had to snatch a Suzuki Feroza from a river crossing. there was a bit of a current and we were in a bit if a panic about them being washed away, the snatch strap was hooked over the Factory Tow hook on the front of the Zook. Thinking these tow hooks would be a safe place to snatch from I hooked the snatch onto there, being in a rush and expecting it to be an easy snatch of pulling a dead and light 4wd and a 10,000kg snatch the dampener bad was forgotten... this almost ended in my girlfriend being KILLED. If I hadn't shut the rear hatch it would have hit her for sure. The Factory Tow hook flew off the Zook smashing it into the rear door of a 100 series Cruiser with enough force to punch two holes and a big dent in both halves of the door.

So i think it's safe to add Factory tow hooks to the "DANGER list" And remember kids, ALWAYS use the dampener bag!!!

Attachment 17432

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I think factory or aftermarket hooks are more dangerous compared to a tow bar rigid mounted on rear of the chassis.Seen lots of cars with hooks welded on the front bumper.That font bumper lots of people made and install just for look,not thinking about rigid connection between bumper and chassis.

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Originally Posted by pasbogdan

I think factory or aftermarket hooks are more dangerous compared to a tow bar rigid mounted on rear of the chassis.Seen lots of cars with hooks welded on the front bumper.That font bumper lots of people made and install just for look,not thinking about rigid connection between bumper and chassis.

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That's why you should always purchase rated recovery points.
Outback ideas (vendor here) do a great set and are rated for pulling. Not lifting like some others do

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Originally Posted by biggqwesty

.......... and are rated for pulling. Not lifting like some others do

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Didn't know there was such a thing. How do they do that?

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Originally Posted by biggqwesty

That's why you should always purchase rated recovery points.
Outback ideas (vendor here) do a great set and are rated for pulling. Not lifting like some others do

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Like most repairs and upgrades on patrol you make them on your own.If you start building custom bumpers you should know a 2mm thick plate bolted with 8mm screws on the frame will not hold.As most of winch plates sold from companies will not be ok.

As a newbie with a 4wd, this may be one of the most important things I will ever learn NOT to do.

Mate a good thing to know,definitely.

It is easy to forget about safety because either we are lazy or for the split second we say hey it wont happen to us safety is no laughing mater or a joke as i do i always preach safety before i do something with my Patrol or my boat safety first fun later & always inspect your recovery gear after every use.

another in the news, dont think he died but it snapped

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Originally Posted by dysonest

another in the news, dont think he died but it snapped

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Entirely preventable, its so simple.
It wasn't a towball but it was bad practice from someone
who should have known better.
I wonder if charges could be made if found the person hooking up the straps
was underqualified, His parents must be asking a heap of questions.
IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN AUST, BUT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE
every 4X4 should have this stickers,,,,, is it one of Lucas"s

AND NEVER JOIN 2 STRAPS WITH A SHACKLE

Do we know the kids name in the Patrol?