ARB Bullbar - Recovery Points

Hi,

Not sure about ARB Bullbars (no experience I'm afraid). I have a Jackaroo and the nudge bar required me to refit the recovery hook on the opposite side from standard. In the new position the recovery hook fouls the bash plate under the front of the engine to the point where you cant slip a stap over it. To overcome the problem I use a rated shackle to to attach the strap. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I hope it helps.

They should be ok. They are rated to be strong enough to use with a winch and snatch block. ARB are basically saying it is good for light recoverywork only, but I think they have dropped enough hints to the public to say that the bar is strong enough to snatch recover from, but being silly about it will do damage.

I have been warned about snatching from one chassis rail as it may bend the chassis. The trick is to keep the loads even, which the bar will do if both recovery eyes are used

Regards
Slunnie

Thats what I use on the front of the Truckster ... few mates are using an A frame chain to center the pull... Good idea too.

Another one is there are 2 sections on the upright where you can bolt "hooks" to.. using high Tensile bolts, you can use these points too.

G'day Duffa, the double plated holes on an ARB Bar are best used only for winching and used in conjunction with a bridle shackled to each hole.

Fitting of two rated tow hooks in the holes provided are best used with a snatch strap, as the bar is bolted to both rails this lessens the chance of bending one of them.

As in all recovery opperations use the correct gear for the vehicle ie. ratted shackles etc. Sefety is parramount.

I always thought (& have been taught) that using shackles with a snatch strap is a big no-no.

I had an ARB steel bullbar on my '95 Discovery, installed by ARB. First recovery was on a mountain track, using a bridle through the reinforced rings and Tirfor hand winch - result was that the rings got bent horribly. ARB withdrew their advice that they were recovery points, suggesting instead they were only for 'light' towing, straightened the rings out and sold me two hooks to bolt onto the upright section of the bar - the 'real' recovery point.

First recovery with this arrangement was a snatch off a dune in the Simpson Desert - the bar rotated on its chassis mountings, the wings on the bar put two nice holes in my guards. My local ARB then checked with head office and advised that the bull bar was not designed for recovery at all (nor any form of towing) - recovery hooks mounted directly on the chassis rail were their next recommendation. They did however pay for the panelbeating and paint work on the guards.

Since then I have had several recoveries using properly rated recovery hooks bolted onto the chassis rails with no problems whatsoever.

I now have a Nissan Patrol with a Nissan steel bullbar and chassis mounted recovery hooks - and I will only use the chassis hooks for recoveries or towing.

Cheers

Kevin

Gday Duffa
hooks on the chassis is the only way to go safety first second & last , also be aware that if your vehicle is fitted with air bags recovering from the roo bar increases the risk of air bag inflation as some bars now come with sencers fitted so that the air bags still work.
Regards Bruce

Thanks for the replies everyone....Iwould like to fit hooks to the chasis, but as I mentiopned the deflector in front of the radiator will be fouled by the strap or cable. I can put a packer between the hook and the chassis but this doesn't give that much more advantage.

Cheers.

Duffa,

Like others have said, a rated recovery hook bolted directly to the chassis with high tensile bolts is the way to go and avoid shackles as they are potentially lethal missiles on the end of a strap.

I also own a Prado TD and you can fit the aftermarket recovery hooks on BOTH sides at the front. The hole spacings are perfect. So buy another rated hook. You'll also need to buy some high tensile bolts as the threads are different to those that come with the hooks. You can then hook your strap to either side.

Phil G
Prado GXL TD