[TC.Barky]

Hey guys,

Finally getting out of lockdown down here, gonna give the zook a light run in Lerderderg next week just to feel it out and see what needs attention. Not planning on hitting bog holes (but you never know in there) or anything too significant as I'm running stock profile HTs (want to check out how the stock final drive ratio feels before upping the tyres). Won't be using my car for recovering any of the other vehicles but if I get myself crossed up on a hill or something what's the go with recovery points for the rear. The front loops look ok for a light winch recovery but unsure about the rear. Can I just loop an extension strap around the towbar in a pinch? (the bar itself, not the ball or tongue). Not ideal I know but won't have time to get anything else fitted beforehand. I can't read what the towbar is rated to, the plate has been blasted.

[Gwagensteve]

Yes that’s adequate. You can also remove the tow ball and put a shackle through the tongue.

[TC.Barky]

Gwagensteve wrote:

Yes that’s adequate. You can also remove the tow ball and put a shackle through the tongue.

Yeah was considering that too, wanted to minimise the number of potential failure points. If you've used it in the past without issue though might do that as the straps could potentially slip a little along the bar for off angled work which won't feel nice lol

[30ONA]

Gwagensteve wrote:

Yes that’s adequate. You can also remove the tow ball and put a shackle through the tongue.

I've done this a few times.

[TC.Barky]

30ONA wrote:

Gwagensteve wrote:

Yes that’s adequate. You can also remove the tow ball and put a shackle through the tongue.

I've done this a few times.

Cheers.

Hopefully won't need it but you never know

[Inais]

I've had success with removing the towbar and tongue and using the pin through the strap hole.
I'm not sure how it is safety wise, but this was with my previous vehicle which was a much heavier wj Jeep, and we got out of some good trenches with this method.

[Gwagensteve]

That’s completely valid, but it does require a receiver hitch which Sierras don’t have (towing limit is too low) Jimny tow bars have a receiver, but it’s the smaller style (~40mm) and it can be very hard to get a strap in there. A soft shackle would probably be easier in this application.

Making a short tongue to bolt to the towbar would be a way of preventing the tongue becoming an anchor for a SWB Sierra.

[TC.Barky]

Inais wrote:

I've had success with removing the towbar and tongue and using the pin through the strap hole.
I'm not sure how it is safety wise, but this was with my previous vehicle which was a much heavier wj Jeep, and we got out of some good trenches with this method.

This is generally considered a good approach, although I've heard anecdotal evidence (may be bs) that you can bend the pin given enough force. Never seen it happen. This car however doesn't have a square receiver so no pin, tongue is bolted on.

[Gwagensteve]

Bending the pin is possible I guess, but what it doesn’t do it launch a shackle/hook/rear bar at the stuck car/bystanders etc.

[Joe]

Have seen a hitch receiver pin bend but was on a GU that was fairly stuck would have to be really fuckin stuck in a suzuki to bend one I reckon