Printable View
Wow , I have just got my 1st 4x4 and would never have relized this fact, any serious stuff I will be doing will be with long timers so hopefully they would have made sure i am aware of this danger. Once you think about it , it is very logical that it would snap and go flying like a bullet.
Like a cannon ball mate! Glad to hear your now aware of the danger
Tap, Tap.......Who's there?
It's people like Bubba and others like him that join forums like this, and not forgetting visitors who read these threads, that learn things that can save their lives and those of others.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubba
Bubba is to be congratulated, because after only 5 posts, he has now more wisdom and knowledge to convey to others that aren't privy to this sort of information.
Sadly, common sense is very rare these days, and I've learnt that people either know things, or they don't. Well done Bubba and people like you.
Take care out there.
Rossco
I have to admit that I used to use the towball for snatch recoveries until I read this forum
Forums like these are very helpful for all sorts of information
You'll find lots of us have done the same before as well but the important thing is we now know and can spread the word!Quote:
Originally Posted by GU CAMPER
..........on the move
I too, if not had read on this forum about the dangers, would probably had done so, thinking it would be sufficient enough for a snatch recoveryQuote:
Originally Posted by Nisshead
Holden Plus Work place Health & Safety should be hauled over the coals for that add, How stupid?????????????
I thought it was taken off air. Is it still on?Quote:
Originally Posted by choppie
..........on the move
Well I think I need to stop going off road with the 100 series that I posted that pic of the tow hook dent. Two weeks ago they got stuck again... So we got all set up with the strap and dampener bag, next min the chassis rail of this Hilux rips apart launching the shackle past the 100 series! My brand new bag has flew to bits!?!?! Did I cause this to happen? The bag I bought had a pocket in it for what looked like adding temporary weight, so I shovelled some sand into it. Was this a stupid thing to do? The way I saw it was the bag weighs 1kg, a flying chunk of metal weighs probably 100kg with kinetic energy. So I thought I'd make the bag heavier to try and slow the shackle down. The part of the bag that had the sand in it stayed where it was and the rest of the bag ended up where the rest of the strap was. Someone please tell me what was wrong, the bag or me, cos I think I'm running out of lives ;)
Nothing wrong with you or the dampener bag. I'd say the chassis rail is at fault there!!
The problem was that there were two Toyotas in the equation... something was bound to go wrong!!
In all seriousness though it is a bit of a worry. How did your bag tear? Did the shackle fail or was it the Hilux's rail that failed?
No the shackle ripped through the chassis, and went flying still attached to the strap. The bag flew to bits, the stitching was pulled apart and was left in two bits. So, am I meant to leave it empty or fill it with sand? I haven't bought another one yet as I'm planning to make my own from these hessian bags with heavy stitching. I feel these will be a much better option, sad thing is there is only one way to find out if it works. :/
If it's heavy and can be draped over the strap then it is good.
its a worry how many clips you see of vehicle recoveries on the web with someone in the passenger seat or standing right in the line of fire by the vehicle. ive been in mining for a fair few years and have done my fair share of 4x4 driving and recovery corses.
and believe me when i say we have had to pull 20tonne trucks out of mud with chains. alot has changed since then but i have seen chains snap and links hit the winscreen, its scarey. dont take any of what you read here lightly, it is for real and thanks for trying to push home the safety issues involved with recoveries
you can take to the towball out and use the pin through the tow bar. its rated towballs are not
Hey Tas big rap for you today went to pickup a present for my young blokes 21st while we were at the factory a guy came across started raving about the sticker on the back said its great to see someone trying to make a difference explained that its a patrol forums inititaive and a guy called taslucas does the stickers this guy owns a hilux said he was going to get stuck into the forum site he belongs too SO WELL DONE MATE FOR A GREAT JOB ON THE STICKERS
Hey thats awesome mate:-). I can only make them though, its you guys that are getting the message out there. Thats great to hear
Tap, crackle, pop
Thanks for making this such an important part of this forum.
You guys rock!
I didn`t know about this problem, sure as hell glad I know now.Never seen it mentioned on any 4x4 forums over here, message needs getting across in the UK as well.
Can you send some stickers over here, willing to pay all costs.
Glad you've seen it now then!!
Edit: PM taslucas for stickers
HaveA tapped out new year
Came across a rather large group all bogged on the beach, as we passed there was one car attempting a snatch utilizing the tow ball on both vehicles. It was at this point I made a conscious decision to leave our group to conduct some education by assistance. Turns out none of them had a clue about anything 4wd related, I informed them about the deadly dangers of tow balls and then proceeded to drop their tyres from the 45 PSI that they had them at to something more appropriate. The looks on their face when they drove out was priceless. Every car stuck (6 in total) ended up driving themselves out once at proper pressures.
Sent while temporally motionless
good for you mate if more ppl like your self stopped and helped there maybe fewer accidentsQuote:
Originally Posted by russ81
and you have just maybe saved someones life
thanks for your effort
Curious, If you came across a car that was stuck and proceeded to help them out, But they had no recovery point on the rear except a towbar, would it be feasable to removed the towbar, place the snatch strap into the hole then put the pin back in thus using the snatch strap on the pin? Have never done this but wondered would it be safe?
Cheers.
IMHO yes mate for sureQuote:
Originally Posted by trekster
HaveA tapped out new year
same as growlers mate best to do it that wayQuote:
Originally Posted by trekster
I will keep this in mind if I ever need to help someone out, thanks for the replies.
In theory - yes. A properly fitted (using the correct amount of suitable high tensile bolts) HR style tow bar will do the job. Many rear recoveries have been done safely this way for a long time now. The problems start when some numpty has worked on the car and has replaced the bolts with mild steel ones, or has not replaced all of the bolts. MS bolts will simply shear off with even the slightest amount of force. When the vehicle you are recovering is an unknown, it pays to poke your head up underneath and have a look at the bolt heads to make sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by trekster
We came across a 4WD tray back one time that had a tow bar that looked home made and very much down scale. I refused to snatch him and he became upset and said his tow bar was fine. I thought otherwise. I did pull him out with the winch. We attaced chains to his spring points and used a bridle to spread the load. We covered the rope with dampers and if something broke - it would only be his truck.
Good onya mate, Job well done!Quote:
Originally Posted by russ81
PS, how many soldiers do you still see forgetting to carry there weapon properly, even though they have been taught the proper way! The dick-brains still do the unthinkable! Civi's are no different!
Regards,
RLI
And that right there is why we bother. Not only have you provided a great service there but you have educated a group of novice 4wders that hopefully will remember the lesson for ever. Not only that, that group of amateurs will now pass that knowledge to their friends and their kids and their clubs.Quote:
Originally Posted by russ81
Nissanpatrol.com.au is spear heading a fundamental campaign that IS educating the masses and IS saving lives.
To everyone here that carries the warning in their Sig Line - Congratulations and well done.
To our community for supporting the inclusion of the warning in the Forum Header well done.
I am proud of our achievements, our message hits every new member and even picks up the 26poster group.
Nice one
Dont do that!!!! I have seen this done. The pin bent just a tiny amount making it almost impossible to get it out of the tow bar. Doing this is safe enough, but it can be a night mare getting a bent pin out of there. Especially if you just un-hitched your trailer to do a recovery in the middle of no where......Quote:
Originally Posted by trekster
Its amazing how you still see people get a rush of blood to the head and do silly things. I recently saw a guy lose his campertrailer in front of me - I could see it wobble and then lo and behold it came off and separated from the car. Luckily was only going slow so could avoid it - it ran into the gutter and a parked car. When I talked to him about it - he admitted he hadn't chained it up "because he was just taking it to the servo to put air in his tyres"!
Jas
Wouldn't be on my car that's for sure! Does anybody know what the recovery point on the back of the patrol is rated at? Just had a look in the manual but couldn't find anything on it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Coldcomfort
Cheers.
It's not a recovery point, it's a tow point. Big difference.
Hi trekster - its not rated and should only be used for towing. Have a look at threedogs (Outback Ideas) replacement hooks as an option.Quote:
Originally Posted by trekster
Jas
You can also get solid steel blocks which fit the 50mm hitches and has a hole on the end for a rated bow shackle.
About $50 ish from memory from and auto store.
There the best option for rear recoveries.
Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories
Hi Westy - 100% agree - as long as you have a towbar. The bushranger gear is pretty good and $50 was spot on - that's what I paid.Quote:
Originally Posted by Westy's Accessories
Jas
This is the best pic I've got to show you at the moment.Quote:
Originally Posted by lorrieandjas
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...ripprep005.jpg
Rossco
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSCF2943.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Westy's Accessories
Watch out Rossco,
That vicious beast may just rip that towbar straight off the back of that GU.
Mark
I don't think so. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by MC97GQ
It was the wife's dog and got ran over a few months ago. That little mutt never did like me. lol
No need for apologies - you didn't know.
I'd love a German Shepherd, but just don't have the time it needs to be loved and cared for.
Rossco