HardKorr - Towbar Recovery Hitch Kit
$94.99
The Hitch is designed to prolong the life of your recovery gear – it’s built with smooth, rounded edges making it perfect for ropes and straps. It has a weight load limit (WLL) of 5,000kg and is designed to be used with the included Heavy-Duty Soft Shackle which has a Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) of 14,000kg.
The kit is great to keep with your 4×4 as it can be easily attached when the tow hitch isn’t in use. To use, simply slide the hitch into a standard 50x50mm (AS4177) receiver, then lock it into place using the hitch pin. Then, using the eye of your recovery rope/strap, loop it over the included Soft Shackle, put the loose end of the shackle through the hitch hole then place the shackle loop over the knot.
Before using the kit, make sure to check the tow system’s rating to make sure it’ll handle the stress of your recovery.
Rated to 5,000kg
Worked out as a ratio of the Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS), Working Load Limits (WLL) is the safe working load figure that’s typically placed on load-bearing metal equipment. This hitch is rated at 5,000kg which is more than enough to handle recoveries where there are up to two anchor points off the hitch.
The included Soft Shackle is measured using the MBS figure. This is determined in a large-scale lab test by taking the measurement of the weakest sample when it first starts to tear, rip, or break. It’s recommended that the MBS of any recovery rope used should be at least 2-3 times the gross weight of the vehicle that’s being recovered.
WHY SOFT RECOVERY GEAR?
Weighing significantly less than traditional equipment, soft recovery gear has become the go-to choice for thousands of Aussie offroad enthusiasts.
Our range of ropes, shackles, and straps are constructed using heavy-duty synthetics rather than steel. These materials offer incredible durability and great protection from weather and wear. Engineered to elongate up to 30% in length, soft recovery gear will allow for a smoother recovery, reducing the risk of damaging the vehicles involved in the recovery.
On top of this, cases of failure or misuse resulting in breakage, are less likely to be lethal or cause major injury due to the lack of heavy metal objects used in the recovery.
Fully Tested & Certified:
Put to the test in both the field and the lab, you can be confident our gear will get you out of trouble when you need it most. Our ropes, straps, and shackles have undergone an extensive testing program by one of Australia’s leading NATA facilities. After exceeding expectations in a lab stress and destruction examination, we’ve made sure to really put them through their paces offroad as well. The results? A full range of recovery equipment that’ll get you out of even the trickiest of scenarios.
Warning
Incorrect use may result In injury or death!
Vehicle OCCUPANTS and BYSTANDERS have been KILLED by flying projectiles (such as tow balls) when recovery straps Have been attached incorrectly. NEVER attach recovery straps to vehicle fittings such as tow balls, tow bars, tie-down points or tow hooks. ONLY attach recovery straps to an APPROVED recovery point/device that is suitably rated for use with the strap. BEFORE attempting a vehicle recovery, all passengers must exit the vehicles and stand as far away as possible.
Know before you buy
Before you buy recovery gear
Recovery gear stores enormous energy when it's working, so the right ratings and the right attachment points matter more than anything else in the kit.
- Rated recovery points
Only attach straps to rated recovery points. Never to a tow ball, tow bar, tie-down point or tow hook: that warning is required on every recovery strap sold in Australia.
- Strap strength
A snatch strap's minimum breaking strength should be about 2 to 3 times the gross vehicle mass of the lighter vehicle. Wet straps are weaker.
- Winch size
Choose a winch rated at least 1.5 times your vehicle's gross weight (Warn). Size it on the loaded vehicle, not the empty one.
- Shackles and dampers
Use rated shackles (ARB says 3.25 t minimum for bow shackles), put a damper over the strap, and keep everyone back at least 1.5 times the strap's length (ARB).
Common questions
Can I use my tow ball as a recovery point?
No. The national recovery strap standard requires a warning never to attach straps to tow balls, tow bars, tie-down points or tow hooks. Use rated recovery points only.
What strap rating do I need?
A minimum breaking strength of around 2 to 3 times the gross vehicle mass of the lighter vehicle, under the recovery strap safety standard.
What size winch do I need?
At least 1.5 times your vehicle's gross weight (Warn), based on the loaded vehicle with all its accessories.
Snatch strap or kinetic rope?
Both stretch to store energy for a recovery. Whichever you use, it isn't for lifting or towing, and it must go between rated points with a damper draped over it.
What should be in a basic recovery kit?
A strap rated for your vehicle, rated shackles or soft shackles, a damper, gloves and recovery boards. A winch extension strap and tree trunk protector help if you have a winch.