John
I don't know what they are for, but I twisted one of mine when I
attached a rope to it and pulled someone out. To be fair there was a
considerable side-ways element to the pull, but given that I was using a
rope they must be pretty weak.
I (ahem) tested the frontal impact strength of a TLC versus the rear end
of a Honda Civic earlier this year, and when the loss-adjuster specified
the new bits for the front of my car he included that tow-hook.
Interestingly the new design is much stronger - certainly far more than
would be needed to tie it down in transit.
In my opinion this is not entirely a good thing since any sideways load
on that hook is going to apply a twisting force the main longitudinal.
Bending a piddly little bracket is of no consequence, but twisting the
front longitudinal is not such a good idea. The section in the
hand-book on winching makes it clear that if you do use these to attach
to you should use both to avoid exactly this problem.
If you want tow points on the front then I would have though a
reinforced front bumper is the right way to go, since this will spread
the load over both front longitudinals. You probably can buy a pre-made
one, but I wouldn't bother - why not just trundle down to an
agricultural engineers and ask them to make you one to fit inside and
behind the existing bumper? A piece of channel section (U shape) would
do the job nicely.
I don't think load-rating is an issue, you are not going to be hauling
things at speed on the road with it. Other bits will break long before a
towing eye fails.
Christopher Bell
|
| hi guys
| Is there any truth in the fact that the tow hooks located just under
the
| front bumper of the 80 series are not load rated and just for tying
down
| the
| cruiser on board the ship.
| Does any one know if there is a direct replacement for these hooks, or
| where
| to buy load rated hooks for the front and rear.
| Does any one know if there is after market protection for where the
spare
| wheel sits ,like a bolt on plate.
| cheers
| john92 hdj80 1hdt
|
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