Way more of debate over rated recovery points than I wanted! I was just curious if getting a threaded eye bolt would work for all makes and models out there...
Thanks Daniel for the idea of hitting up a u-pull yard.
I'd check your manual since that's exactly the opposite as our Forester manual advises. There is no warning to limit number of uses on the loop. The only warning is that the rear holes are for downward anchoring. The two front tie-downs do not warn against forward pulls so if the loop isn't an option those apparently can be used instead.I needed to tow my 335i recently (go figure...), and I was talking with the driver who seemed quite knowledgeable. He didn't use the eyelet to pull me up onto the truck, but instead looped a tow strap through both of my front A arms. He said that the eyelet was only rated to be used 3-5 times before damage could occur. He said that if the structure that the bolt ties into is damaged, most insurance companies will total the vehicle. I am trying to remember the exact reason, but it had to do with being part of the crash structure on most unibody vehicles. It will actually bend the entire brace that the eyelet ties into. Because of this, there is a big liability on the insurance companies if it is repaired incorrectly and put back on the road.
They have the same energy. All the energy that was in the strap and shackle went to accelerating the chain.That was a good eye opener. The main thing I took from it is how dangerous a recovery point failing could be. That would seem to be the primary cause to put a shackle in flight.
Would be interesting to run the math on what has more energy, a shackle at 250 KPH or a chain at 42? I don’t want to be in the path of either.
Not optional. German's don't make safety related equipment optional on their autos. My 5 series BMtroubleU had one and during that blizzard of 06 or 07 knowing where to find them and how to use them came in really handy when I was pulling Jeeps, t4rs and Audis out of drifts down there in Denver."optional equipment" So maybe same for Audi?
I think there is an older thread on 80 recovery points but this is the one I found for here goes: The 80 and 100 series "URB" recovery point looks to be on sale again!
Universal Recovery Brackets (URBs) - Adventure Vehicles NW
Our Universal Recovery Brackets (URBs) are a must-have safety addition to your Toyota Land Cruiser if you're headed off-road.adventurevehiclesnw.com
I just ordered a pair for my 80. I already have one pair from a long time ago.
Relatively inexpensive to carry. This one on Amazon is rated and perfectly fine.One thing I purchased that can help grab from inside of the frame or other areas of a unibody is this contraption. You need to make sure you hook into something substantial, but it gives you a lot of options for cars that don’t have true recovery points. Tow truck operators use them.
I have replaced all my recovery point attachment bolts, and the bolts that hold my ARB bumper on. 1) because 20+ years old, and 2) on removal some had diminished by rust.Also, I have several sets of recovery points that fit various vehicles. Let me know what your bolt spacing is on the underside of your frame and I can check to see what I have. These are all the URB two bolt style. A grade 10, 12mm bolt can handle a lot of shear force. In addition, these bolts are sandwiching the recovery point to the frame if torqued correctly. So, the full force of the recovery is reduced by the friction forces of the "sandwich".