When upgrading any vehicle, equipping your 4×4 or pickup for self-rescue is vital. Mechanical, electrical, body and storage upgrades aside, the ability to get your vehicle out of some pretty sticky situations when travelling off-road is a matter of life and death.
There are various 4WD recovery rules you should follow, but it all starts with having the right recovery supplies to hand. A rated recovery point is essential, here we explore why and unveil the best-rated recovery points on the market right now.
What exactly is a rated recovery point?
A rated recovery point is one of the recovery basics no 4×4 should be without. Recovery points can be installed on the front or rear of your vehicle to facilitate the attachment of essential recovery equipment.
As the name suggests, a rated recovery point provides a secure connection point so you can winch or snatch-strap your vehicle to safety.
What makes a recovery point rated?
Rated recovery points have been specifically designed and approved to handle certain loads. In addition to the load rating, a recommended shackle rating should also be provided. This rating will indicate whether the recovery point is rated for use with a certain bow shackle.
Doesn’t my vehicle have a rated recovery point already?
Rated recovery points tend to be aftermarket additions, and shouldn’t be confused with the tow/transport hooks or tie-down points generally found on new, nearly new and many older 4×4 models. Steve Sampson, Product Manager at ARB, explains why:
“In terms of the OE tie-down points, they’ve been designed to secure a vehicle when it’s being shipped/transported… So, the difference between that and a rated recovery point is the rated recovery point has been designed, tested and developed so it can sustain any sort of additional load if it was having any sort of snatch recovery or winch load placed onto it.”
What are the best-rated recovery points on the market?
Here at 4×4 Works, we stock a whole range of rated recovery points from top upgrade brands. Our ARB and AVM-rated recovery points provide premium quality to guarantee safer towing and rescue every time. They’ve also been rigorously tested and rated to a specific line pull so you can recover your vehicle with confidence.
ARB Recovery Points provide a vehicle-specific mounting solution that can be bolted straight onto your vehicle’s existing mounting points. With this, drilling is generally not required, although some minor drilling and trimming may be needed in some cases, i.e. if an OE bumper is installed.
These recovery points are also compatible with other upgrades, including OE and ARB underbody protection. In addition to featuring a long slot for shackle attachment, these front recovery points are rated for angled pulls as well as a 4.75t rated bow shackle and 8,000kg snatch strap.
AVM Recovery Points are another heavy-duty option for your 4WD vehicle or van. With a rated capacity of 9,000lbs and the ability to withstand a line pull of more than 10,000lbs, this top-rated product comes to you from a world-renowned manufacturer who is already well known for its heavy-duty freewheeling hubs and wheel spacers. AVM points should be mounted to your vehicle’s frame for the best results.
Shop our range of rated recovery points today to find out more.
