JK Front bumper roundup

[Paul-JK]

In some ways I can understand the logic of what they're saying but at the same time, in the real world that's just an ACE (A$$e Covering Exercise). There is no denying that what they are saying is probably true......

1 - People likely do use larger snatch straps than they need under the misguided impression that it's safer.
2 - That in turn does put increased strain on the recovery point as the strap is no longer the weakest link
3 - IF the codes of practice applied to lift gear are then applied to recovery gear that would mean that recovery points had to be rated to over 40T.

The point he's missing is that the first 2 points have and do happen but point number 3 hasn't, so it is not legislation. So, in an effort to protect themselves legally against the ramifications of a legal code of practice that has not been employed (and probably never will) they chose to leave 4WD'ers in potentially life threatening situations without any means of recovering their vehicle by stopping the practice of putting winching locations on their bull bars. Surely, given the massive amount of testing done on their bars, and the fact they they must know what those point are realistically rated to, it would have been more prudent to simply (and legally) note that the hooks are for towing and winching only and snatching from them is done at the owners risk, no different from the legal disclaimer that the vehicle manufacturers put on their very weak tow hooks. Instead, by not adding their winching hooks any more, they're increasing the likelihood that someone will then try to recover themselves from the far inferior factory hooks as a last resort.

As I said, in some ways I can see their point but I think education in the form of a recommendation into which snatch strap strengths should be used for a variety of vehicle weights, along with a legal disclaimer that if their recommendations are not followed then damage could occur and that is at the owners risk would have been a far more prudent course of action.

[BennyC76]

Here is an image of the new ARB recovery point, installed on a Hilux.

This thing is huge, it even comes with its own bash plate.

[Bryceee]

The ARB rep at the local shop recons its going to be a long wait for the JK recovery points to come out.

[NLJeep]

To me this all comes back to common sense, which sadly lacks sometimes in recovery situations. It's more often that not that people that are stuck (and most people that want to help) want to keep going, in stead of taking just that moment to think before act.

I would like to see the statistics where the popular high quality brands like ARB, AEV, EVO, SmittyBilt etc etc (you name them, yes including the the DBOR bar's) failed, in what conditions and more important if they where used correctly.

I guess the conclusion of it would be that the Bar's would have hold up, but the situation they where used in wasn't where they where made for. i.e. brute force when pulling car stuck till roof in mud, over-rated snatch straps and possible snatch procedure used, etc etc. Hope that I'm right here, and please let me know if I'm wrong and there are many examples where the high-quality bar wasn't strong enough during well planned recovery.

I'm all in for an agreed well-documented rating standardization across the various manufactures, but even if that's in place, it comes back to knowing what recovery gear and options you have, and how to use it.

[Paul-JK]

Originally Posted by NLJeep

To me this all comes back to common sense, which sadly lacks sometimes in recovery situations. It's more often that not that people that are stuck (and most people that want to help) want to keep going, in stead of taking just that moment to think before act.

I would like to see the statistics where the popular high quality brands like ARB, AEV, EVO, SmittyBilt etc etc (you name them, yes including the the DBOR bar's) failed, in what conditions and more important if they where used correctly.

I guess the conclusion of it would be that the Bar's would have hold up, but the situation they where used in wasn't where they where made for. i.e. brute force when pulling car stuck till roof in mud, over-rated snatch straps and possible snatch procedure used, etc etc. Hope that I'm right here, and please let me know if I'm wrong and there are many examples where the high-quality bar wasn't strong enough during well planned recovery.

I'm all in for an agreed well-documented rating standardization across the various manufactures, but even if that's in place, it comes back to knowing what recovery gear and options you have, and how to use it.

I agree. At the end of the day you can't stop people doing stupid things or using equipment in a manner that it was not intended but that doesn't mean you should stop selling the product. In keeping with the recovery theme, how many times do you see people using tow balls for recoveries on youtube. Yes, it happens even though it shouldn't but the tow ball manufacturers don't pull their products off the shelves because of it. Seems to me to be a bit of knee jerk reaction by ARB that I think could lose them potential sales.

[tjmpmq]

Hi all,

Kinda new to this forum, but just wanted to share the TJM Type 3 I had fitted a few weeks ago.
I may be biased by the fact i own a TJM Store, but im very happy with it.

[jim7777777]

Originally Posted by danieljames

if he is saying "rated to what" .. as there is no industry standard.. then what are the 4wd clubs saying are "rated recovery points" ? do they have a figure (40 tonnes) that you need to be rated to. lol.

You are spot on there.

There is no such thing as "recovery rated"

MJOC specify that you need "rated" shackles for recoveries but rated grade 80 (T) shackles are rated for lifting, not for a shock load so that's really not relevant (except to know that the shackle is manufactured to a standard), especially as pointed out in the article that there's no formal standard for the recovery points you attach to, or the fixings you use to attach straps / winches etc...

I think a take-away from the post could be: "Use the biggest, meanest recovery points and fixings and light straps." Or maybe "Don't snatch"

And if ARB are quoting 40 Tonnes then with a safety factor in there you could probaby hang a super-tanker off their recovery points... From memory the safety factor on lifting-rated gear is 4:1 so a 4.7T grade 80 (T) shackle is designed to not fail before 18.8T.