Recovery point, tow jaw?

[Ruffin' It]

I'm planning on removing my trailer hitch from my FZJ80. Now, the majority of the rear bumper is actually the rear frame rail so it is pretty darn strong. It is also pre-drilled to be used for towing purposes in much of the rest of the world.
Ideally, I'd like to use these holes for a single rear recovery point. I'm thinking of a Dixon Bates tow jaw (http://www.landroverstuff.com/dixonbate.htm) as the bolt pattern matches (3.5" X 2.75") and they have a pretty good reputation with my old Land Rover crowd. But, I'd like to hear other people's thoughts.

Care to weigh in?

 

[Scott Brady]

I like the Dixon Bate. If you watch the pulls they endured in the Camel Trophy videos, they get my vote. I have one on the front of the Disco and one in the rear of the Defender.

 

[I Leak Oil]

The Dixon-Bate is a fine piece of equipment.

 

[zimm]

id put a backing plate behind that, that spans the length of the cross member frame to frame if youre slapping that on the holes in the FZJ 80 cross member. just sayin....

 

[charlieaarons]

The 4 bolt holes also match a pintle hitch, which is basically the same idea as the Dixon-Bate; it matches a lunette ring on a trailer and is easy to hook recovery gear.

Charlie

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I was wondering if anybody could tell me the overall width of the mounting plate of the 5t DB jaw? I'm planning on incorporating the option of bolting one to my rear bumper. I have the bolt spacing, but just need the overall width.

 

[Antichrist]

This one?

Mounting bolts are 85x45mm on center, so you should be able to figure it fairly close.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Yeah, that's the one. I already knew the mounting bolt dimension, and I guess I could monitor measure based on that (I'm seeing 104mm), but hoping somebody with one of them and a tape measure could get the real measurement for me.

 

[winkosmosis]

What is the point of this vs a regular hole for a shackle?

 

[I Leak Oil]

Well for one, you can hook your strap or winch hook directly to this without the need for a shackle. I used to have a similar unit and found it easier to work with when the straps or hook got muddy or icy. The bumper I made now has 2 integrated recovery points with the hole for the shackle. At times it can be more difficult to thread the shackle pin when everything is gummed up than it was to hook up using my old hitch pin.

I see the advantage of the DB as it's something you can buy off the shelf and bolt on (appropriately of course) that is substantial enough to be used as a recovery point. There are other units out there that serve the same purpose though.

 

[kai38]

I use to have my pintle hook bolted there on my '95 FJ80.
Of the 4 holes 2 have captured nuts the other 2 need nuts washer etc.
I only towed my M416 from there but like said in the 1st post this tow point is allowed every country but the USA. Same frame though.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

What is the point of this vs a regular hole for a shackle?

My impression is they are slightly easier to use than a shackle, as mentioned. They're also convenient because your tow point can make a good recovery point, plus, many Rovers and some other non-American brand trucks come with that bolt pattern from the factory. Now I've never seen, not even on the internet, somebody actually using a DB jaw for trailer towing, so the dual-usage thing is a bit moot.

But I also think a lot of it is just sex appeal, and the desire of many Rover guys to do things differently than the Jeep guys.

I'm building standard shackle brackets into my rear bumper, but also doing a mounting point that will fit a DB. So I'll be able to bolt up a DB in the future if I desire. But the main reason is that I like the Euro style tow bar setups better than the 2" reciever tube as commonly used in the US.

 

[ntsqd]

snip.....

I'm building standard shackle brackets into my rear bumper, but also doing a mounting point that will fit a DB. So I'll be able to bolt up a DB in the future if I desire. But the main reason is that I like the Euro style tow bar setups better than the 2" reciever tube as commonly used in the US.

[hijack]Is there a NA source for the Euro type? I've seen a couple in pictures and been intrigued.[/hijack]

 

[Antichrist]

If you mean this type

I haven't seen them, or the 3.5 tonne, anywhere this side of the pond.

 

[Ruffin' It]

Hey, I need all the help I can get withthe sex appeal thing!

There are a few sources for them in the states. Mostly places that focus on Rovers. A quick Google search yielded 3 or 4 places here with them (Atlantic British has them for one http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/KNB100640.cfm?gpf)

I'm wondering if I should bother with the 5 ton, or if the 3.5 ton is enough.

My impression is they are slightly easier to use than a shackle, as mentioned. They're also convenient because your tow point can make a good recovery point, plus, many Rovers and some other non-American brand trucks come with that bolt pattern from the factory. Now I've never seen, not even on the internet, somebody actually using a DB jaw for trailer towing, so the dual-usage thing is a bit moot.

But I also think a lot of it is just sex appeal, and the desire of many Rover guys to do things differently than the Jeep guys.

I'm building standard shackle brackets into my rear bumper, but also doing a mounting point that will fit a DB. So I'll be able to bolt up a DB in the future if I desire. But the main reason is that I like the Euro style tow bar setups better than the 2" reciever tube as commonly used in the US.