4x4 Safety Section

A lot of members have asked that we start up a safety category for any tips, stories and discussions about general safety and procedures.

Please feel free to start any conversations about your experiences, good and bad, we will not judge but only help!

If you have any questions about any safety concerns then please don't hesitate to ask. Members on this forum are here to only help regardless of how simple you may think the answer could be......Just ask!

Better ask the question then get hurt!

Also, members are more than welcome to post up stories, news and pictures or videos of accidents, preventions and resources to help everyone.

Cheers

Andy

p.s if anyone finds any threads in other sections that should be here then please let us know and we will move them across.


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Disclaimer: The stories and posts on this site are the opinions of the members only. I do not control what is posted on this forum therefore do not take responsibility of any mistakes or injuries that people may endure whilst following any advise on this forum. The advise given on this forum is only from the individual person who writes the story and is not always the safest method or advise.

Please be cautious of any advise given on this forum and it is your own responsibility to action any advise given anywhere on this site.

OK 15 mths I'll go first, umm.
What to stand on or use when trying to wash off last weekends fun from the roof ?.
Everything is wet and grubby, using the tyres and side steps is slippery !.
What do you do?
Going through a creek last.
Is a fair sort of answer.
Your still going to want to clean it properly for rust protection don't you.

So how do you do this safely ??.
" Without embarrassing yourself ".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robo

OK 15 mths I'll go first, umm.
What to stand on or use when trying to wash off last weekends fun from the roof ?.
Everything is wet and grubby, using the tyres and side steps is slippery !.
What do you do?
Going through a creek last.
Is a fair sort of answer.
Your still going to want to clean it properly for rust protection don't you.

So how do you do this safely ??.
" Without embarrassing yourself ".

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I use a little rubber coated step ladder and an extension mop thingy ... no reaching require as such ..

One of the most overlooked potential hazards some over look.

Never ever use tow balls as a recovery hook.

People have died from the tow ball breaking off and flying through the air

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rip'n'Shred

One of the most overlooked potential hazards some over look.

Never ever use tow balls as a recovery hook.

People have died from the tow ball breaking off and flying through the air

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Also to add a little to this the standard tow hooks and loop should never be used as a recovery point (NO MATTER HOW STRONG THEY LOOK)
After market RATED recovery points should the first thing you fit to your patrol before going offroad.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2012/03/15.jpg
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...LjIqWg2tSAFV7P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Benno7

Also to add a little to this the standard tow hooks and loop should never be used as a recovery point (NO MATTER HOW STRONG THEY LOOK)
After market RATED recovery points should the first thing you fit to your patrol before going offroad.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2012/03/15.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/

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Benno I fully agree with you on this but have a look at your owners book it states the hook on the front is a recovery point i wouldnt use it as a recovery but first timers reading through the book would have no reson to doubt it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patrol2.8

Benno I fully agree with you on this but have a look at your owners book it states the hook on the front is a recovery point i wouldnt use it as a recovery but first timers reading through the book would have no reson to doubt it

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X2 mate

Even worse, the ubiquitous loop on the alloy kick panel on the back is also listed as a "tow" point I believe which most interpret as being ok for recovery ... not on your nelly should it ever be used in that fashion ...

Big rig best thing to do with that loop is to remove it thats what i did when my son brought his first gq home he asked what you do that for explained it to him that now i can relax when your out with your mates knowing im not going to get a phone call that someones been hurt by a flying hoop

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patrol2.8

Big rig best thing to do with that loop is to remove it thats what i did when my son brought his first gq home he asked what you do that for explained it to him that now i can relax when your out with your mates knowing im not going to get a phone call that someones been hurt by a flying hoop

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Mine went a loooonnngggg time ago mate ... but agreed, should be removed upon purchase.

This is off a mates GQ. The dent it put in the back off the ute (steel tray) was Insane.
So for the people out there who still use these STD hooks PLEASE REMOVE THEM BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED.
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...9072012153.jpg
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...9072012156.jpg

Wow, looks like the hook has had a hard life too...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Benno7

This is off a mates GQ. The dent it put in the back off the ute (steel tray) was Insane.
So for the people out there who still use these STD hooks PLEASE REMOVE THEM BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED.
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...9072012153.jpg
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...9072012156.jpg

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I have said it before and say again in capitals: NO MATTER WHAT RECOVERY POINT YOU HAVE, REMEMBER TO CHECK IT AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME AFTER USING IT!!! Look for loose bolts, worn parts, twisted/bent parts.


This hook above has not been checked before its use. Take a look at the elongated hole, and the amount of rust would easily hide a Fatige crack. I believe this hook took a lot of abuse before breaking. ANY Recovery Point WILL eventually FAIL after much abuse and lack of observation.


Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Benno7

Also to add a little to this the standard tow hooks and loop should never be used as a recovery point (NO MATTER HOW STRONG THEY LOOK)
After market RATED recovery points should the first thing you fit to your patrol before going offroad.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2012/03/15.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/

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Hey Benno.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am new to 4wding. So I have been using the a rear recovery point that slots into the tow bar as in the pic to get towed out backwards. what do I hook up too at the front of my car that can be used as a recovery point? seeing as I shouldn't be using the front tow point

Tyre safety hint. This is just amazing stuff. http://www.outbacktravelaustralia.co...-mounted-tyres

Have a look at these blokes and learn how not to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOijNxcSiVs