Non-Bull bar front recovery points

[ruffinit]

I'm very new to Monteros. I bought a 2000 Sport about a week ago. I've been Land Cruiser guy for a while, so I have lots of questions. Among my questions is what do people generally do for front recovery points on these?  I haven't seen mine yet (long story), so I haven't had a chance to look around under there, but I have done a bit of searching online and haven't turned up much on the subject other than adding a Bull Bar.  I had one on my 80 Series Cruiser and, while they are sexy, I don't think they are worth the cost unless you plan on really beating up a truck (I don't).
So, I'd love to hear people's thoughts and hear what others have done.

Thanks,

[mudrunner]

There are two hook points on the front roughly under the headlight Fog light areas.

[ruffinit]

Thanks, that's encouraging. You wouldn't happen to know the working load limit on them, would you?

Thanks again!

[mudrunner]

Nope I have no clue, my owners manual does not have that information. But being Mitsubishi I imagine they are pretty stout. They are the rope tow points for the sport so I imagine they will hold a bit. The have both front and rear points.

[ES_97Sport]

Dec 7, 2013 1:18:52 GMT -5 ruffinit said:

Thanks, that's encouraging. You wouldn't happen to know the working load limit on them, would you?

Thanks again!

There are two "hooks". One on the driver side front corner attached to the frame and one on the passenger side rear corner similarly attached.

The "rings" are NOT tow (recovery) points. Those are tie-down points used while in transport. DO NOT use these as you would the recovery hooks.

Otherwise, no "official" idea on the load. I presume they are designed to withstand the vehicle weight + some arbitrary buffer amount + some arbitrary shock load.

I do know that I've pulled out vehicles that weigh more than my '97 Sport backwards, forwards and sideways in 3'+ deep snow. My front hook is almost bent closed from having been bashed on rocks and while one weld is broken from said bashing, still has given me no trouble.

IMHO, it would take intentional abuse to break one or tear it off the frame. I'd worry MUCH more about the recovery gear in use.

Never EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER use a chain!!! First, unless you have a chain built specifically for that kind of use - for example tested to, say, 25,000 lbs. - and officially tested you have no idea of its capacity. You CAN NOT rely on stuff from hardware stores. Secondly, a chain transmits all of the considerable shock of recovery, towing or being towed by another vehicle directly to the vehicles. Chains do not absorb any of that shock and that is usually where the stories of people ripping off tow hooks come from.

Always - ALWAYS - use a recovery strap/rope. No - tow straps, tow ropes, tow whatevers are NOT recovery straps/ropes. Tow whatevers are shorter and have hooks at each end. Recovery STRAPS/ROPES are usually (at least) 20' or so and have webbed eyes at each end - to be used with clevises if necessary. Incidentally, using a recovery strap for a tow rope/strap - AFAIK - is illegal in every state on a public road. Recovery straps exceed the legal length.

From my days BEFORE having a bull bar and rear hitch - two 2.5" recovery straps, two 4/5" tree savers, four or five (or six) 3/4" clevises and a Hi-Lift jack (can of WD-40 and a repair kit for the jack). NOW I would add to that one or two 30' recovery ropes. Sometimes you have to be creative and too many straps/ropes is way better than not enough.

Edward