LR3 13k Recovery Possible?

[lrgt2003]

I need to move my 2nd vehicle, a now non-drivable 11,000lb truck about 1,000 feet (engine trouble so tires/axles are fine- no resistance), and I'm dying to buy some heavy-duty chains, and hook them to the rear recovery hook on the LR3 to pull the disabled truck by it's front recovery hook rather than calling a heavy-duty tow truck (a regular tow truck isn't rated to lift the front wheels of the 11,000lb disabled truck off the ground), but I don't want to mess anything up on the LR!

Can this be attempted without any great risk? If so, it actually seems like using the 2 holes in the LR3 chassis directly to the left and right of the rear recovery hook to loop the chain through, but that means the chain would rub on the plastic bumper cover, which I'm not too keen on!

I'm sure this can probably be done at 5mph in low-range at off-road height, since the LR3 can pull 7,500lbs at highway speeds, but I'm more worried about making a mistake that could cause damage to my LR

 

[lrgt2003]

oh.. the reason I call it a 13k recovery (disabled truck is 11,000lbs) is a small 2,000 lbs of payload in the disabled truck. it's a big job to unload, but not so big of a job to move the payload to the back over the rear axle if that helps the LR tug it, but I have a feeling once hooked PROPERLY, the LR will tug even with the payload... maybe I have too much faith in my rover!!

 

[roverman]

I can't see there being any problem at all. A lot of the tow capacity has to do with braking. Slow and easy should be no problem. Use the tow hook hidden behind the plastic cover and you wont hit your bumper at all. And, as always, pics are mandatory

 

[Mack73]

I would get the factory tow bar and use a recovery shackle that fits the receiver to chain to.

The factory tow hook is strong, but I'm not sure if it is that strong

But flat towing isn't going to be 13k lbs. Sure it may weight that much, but you arn't dragging it. The wheels will roll.

EDIT: something like this: http://www.amazon.com/9500lb-Receiver-Bracket-Shackle-Hitch/dp/B004I3VY32

 

[lrgt2003]

I can't see there being any problem at all. A lot of the tow capacity has to do with braking. Slow and easy should be no problem. Use the tow hook hidden behind the plastic cover and you wont hit your bumper at all. And, as always, pics are mandatory

Of course! The problem is a video would be best; a picture isn't nearly the same, so i'm going to need a 2nd helper-- I want someone in the disabled truck to control the brakes, since I don't intend to even step on the LR's brakes once!

More questions come to mind!!
--Any reason not to loop the chain through the 2 chassis holes to the left and right of the rear recovery hook? They seem to be the same part of the frame as the hook, but the the chain will loop around that (the recovery loop diameter isn't big enough for chain to go through let alone be looped through and also receive both chain end-hooks)! I feel that looping the chain through the LR chassis holes (and wraping the chain around the big front recovery hook on the GMC), with both ends of the chain hooked to the LR's recovery hook will provide the most strength and stability. The result would be 1 chain that acts as 4, giving great control. However would this be bad in the same way an anti-sway hitch is??(which LR's manual specifically prohibits because it confuses the LR3's stability system)
--Is a solid recovery bar (with hooks at the ends) available anywhere to substitute the chain?
--I only weigh 160 lbs and the LR's carrying capacity is 1700... should I put an extra 10psi in the tires and put 2k of cement bags in the back, or is the 1700 capacity more about suspension rather than braking and tires (and thus should not be exceeded even for a minute at low speeds no matter what the tires can take)?
--The pavement is wet... I'm sure I need to wait a few days until completely dry, correct?
--Should I put the LR on its snow/gravel setting even though i'm on pavement to prevent wheels spinning (even if pavement is dry)?

Here's a pic of what i'm tugging (ex-Hertz truck): http://www.truckpaper.com/images/Truck/thumb/89467137.jpg

 

[lrgt2003]

I can't see there being any problem at all. A lot of the tow capacity has to do with braking. Slow and easy should be no problem. Use the tow hook hidden behind the plastic cover and you wont hit your bumper at all. And, as always, pics are mandatory

Of course! The problem is a video would be best; a picture isn't nearly the same, so i'm going to need a 2nd helper-- I want someone in the disabled truck to control the brakes, since I don't intend to even step on the LR's brakes once!

More questions come to mind!!
--Any reason not to loop the chain through the 2 chassis holes to the left and right of the rear recovery hook? They seem to be the same part of the frame as the hook, but the the chain will loop around that (the recovery loop diameter isn't big enough for chain to go through let alone be looped through and also receive both chain end-hooks)! I feel that looping the chain through the LR chassis holes (and wraping the chain around the big front recovery hook on the GMC), with both ends of the chain hooked to the LR's recovery hook will provide the most strength and stability. The result would be 1 chain that acts as 4, giving great control. However would this be bad in the same way an anti-sway hitch is??(which LR's manual specifically prohibits because it confuses the LR3's stability system)
--Is a solid recovery bar (with hooks at the ends) available anywhere to substitute the chain?
--I only weigh 160 lbs and the LR's carrying capacity is 1700... should I put an extra 10psi in the tires and put 2k of cement bags in the back, or is the 1700 capacity more about suspension rather than braking and tires (and thus should not be exceeded even for a minute at low speeds no matter what the tires can take)?
--The pavement is wet... I'm sure I need to wait a few days until completely dry, correct?
--Should I put the LR on its snow/gravel setting even though i'm on pavement to prevent wheels spinning (even if pavement is dry)?

Here's a pic of what i'm tugging (ex-Hertz truck): http://www.truckpaper.com/images/Truck/thumb/89467137.jpg

 

[bbyer]

Use the round loop at the rear.

I would not use the trailer tow bit - it is weak compared to the round recovery loop under the plastic plate re the rear bumper.

There is a YouTube video somewhere of an LR3 towing a Semi trailer B train, (I think), that stalled on a rail road track in Norway or somewhere snowy.

The link below is towing a 12 tonne DAF, (empty?), up a slight hill.

DISCOVERY 3 tows DAF CF 12 Tonner up hill - YouTube

 

[bbyer]

Holes are in sheet metal for power plugs.

If so, it actually seems like using the 2 holes in the LR3 chassis directly to the left and right of the rear recovery hook to loop the chain through, but that means the chain would rub on the plastic bumper cover, which I'm not too keen on!

The jpg below shows the two holes that I believe you are referring to, in use. The holes are for the trailer electric brakes and lighting receptacles. In the EU, the requirements sometimes result in you having two plugs, a 7 pin and a 5 pin in order to cover most of the EU trailer wiring needs.

In your case, just use the single metal loop that is in between the two holes.

Below is a Land Rover advertising commercial done in 2005 that purports to show the 3 hanging from if not the loop, then the frame. Even after seeing the commercial, I do not quite believe it. You may note that no one appears to be actually standing under the hanging bits.

Land Rover Discovery 3/ LR3 -Strength-3of6 - YouTube

 

[Mack73]

Bbyer,

I respect your opinion. In looking at the video you posted, pause it at 11 seconds and you will see a very steep angle on the tow rope. I would suggest that they are using the tow hitch, but it is very hard to tell.

Here is how I came to my opinion:

1. The recovery loop is not rated by LR (I even believe LR called it a "tie down" point for shipping). But we can assume that it can at least support the weight of the vehicle.
2. the tow bar IS rated by LR at 7700lbs. We know that there are some engineering tolerances here so maybe we can get up to 9k.

Either way - this would exceed all designed tolerances for the LR3. Be very careful, you are dealing with a lot of force. If the recovery points or the strap/chain snap severe damage to person or vehicle can occur

 

[roverman]

First, either tow point would be fine. It really won't be much of a chore at all for the LR to pull this truck at a slow pace. Second, the hidden tow point is in fact a recovery point. Imagine snatching a vehicle stuck to its axles in mud. There could be 10-150000 lbs or more of force on it. That is what it was designed for. I actually cant think of ever seeing a beefier recovery stock recovery point than the LR3 has.
But remember, when pulling this truck, you are not putting anywhere near 13000 lbs of force on ANYTHING. A man can push a 3000 lb car (at least on the flat), but obviously can't lift one. If the towed truck was dangling in thin air, THAT would be 13000 lbs of force if it was being towed up a 45 degree slope, roughly 6500 lbs, 9 degree, 1300 lbs, etc... The only thing the Lr 3 has to beat is the initial inertia and the rolling resistance of the tires. I would bet that it wouldn't take 1000 lbs of force or less to get it going. (think man pulling train car with his teeth)

I also had looked up that promo video to use as an example, but after seeing it again it looked pretty bogus. There are red beams bolted to the frame that go almost the whole length of the chassis. These are used as the attach points. So it has nothing to do with towing.

Again, the tow capacity really has more to do with vehicle dynamics when pulling a heavy load at highway speeds than anything else.