Recovery points?

It still seems expensive for just a plate that mounts on one side. You can get a front hitch with 4 mounting points, 2 on each side for $160.

 

I agree. Not a lot of experience with actual recovery missions. Just a lot of fancy jewelry they want to buy!

 

I looked at both the Curt and the Draw-Tite. Ended up going with the Draw-Tite hitch. It has a higher vertical rating than the Curt and it attaches to the frame with 6 bolts vs. 4 bolts on the Curt.

 

Recovery can be/is dangerous. Use reputable gear from trusted manufacturers. Incredible loads and shock loading of tons of metal is no place for bargin bin gear.

 

Wrecker and towing experts don’t go to a rig and say, “Nope, they don’t have an ARB recovery point. I’m not doing this job. Good Luck!.” Instead, they get the V bridle with the r hooks loaded right to the frame with some good meat and a nice safe hold and load it. Depending on the scenario, they might have multiple points of contact.

Now, if you plan on using that front hitch for some serious winching, then I’d do some major recon knowing all the connections and their strength. I would also be sure to use the correct hardware, have good welds, and provide extra support to what it contacts.

I know my weakest link in my setup is my 4700lbs hooks x2 if I have 2 connections to the frame.

 

But of course, the gear a "professional" wrecking company uses is likely not from a Chinese Amazon source...Not sure I would snatch load off the J Hook frame points for fear they could dislodge prior to loading or re-loading but, for a nice steady winch pull, sure...and you can reach them in the mud hole or snow drifted ditch, why not.
Multi points of contact with an anchor system that self equalizes the load is a very good practice.

 

Absolutely. I think I would trust you to do a harsh full recovery on an expensive truck that is up and rock framed. Most people don’t understand the severity of hooks flying at 200 mph through the air. But it takes one to know one!

 

I watched a Ronny Dahl video on youtube a couple of weeks ago where they purposely rigged up a winch cable to break, filmed it with a slowmo camera and looked at the damage. They did it about 10 times with various setups. Amazing how thing flew around and the damage that was done.

 

Right! It’s deadly. And most people don’t think about it.

 

Yup, I cant remember if this guy died but it sure looks ugly. Winch blankets people! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5-5GCgpx80Q

 

Definitely would have had my hood up on that. I wonder what the failure point was. It looks like they had a kinetic rope attached to something else. Ya that is a fully framed vehicle and will put you to the test! Looked to be one recovery point of contact, and I’m guessing that was a 3/4” 30’ compared to a more robust 7/8 or 1” kinetic strap. That my friends is why you just always assume the worst.

 

Nice. I had a Draw Tite on my old truck and it came in really handy for pulling logs.

 

Adding the Draw-Tite front hitch to my Jeep Wrangler was one of the first mods I did to that as well. It does come in handy.

 

I assume it was a hook style shackle or a D Ring
The thing was like a missile.