How strong are the towing eyes on a Vitara ???

[RickUK]

Would like some advice on the front and rear towing eyes on a 1998 V6 Vitara,and what i mean on that is it has never had a towbar fitted as that would be the prefered option of attaching a tow rope too pull some one out.

Have just bought a heavy duty towing strap with shackles and was wondering if attaching it too the towing eyes would be strong enough to pull the odd car that is stuck,they look really substancial and the chassis is totally solid,so would that be all right to attach the shackles or would i need to look at another way of attching the tow strap.

Sorry if it appears to be a stupid question,but i have the motor that has plenty of pulling power as well as a 8ton strap and shackles but the weight that i would pull for short time durations would just be the average car weight.

Thanks

[Rhinoman]

They are quite strong from new, its only when rust gets a hold that they can become a bit dodgy. I have been snatch recovered from deep sand but I wouldn't advise it, I have a winch bumper now.

[RickUK]

Thanks for your reply,just had another look at both of the towing eyes and they are a meaty bit of kit,so will try using them and they may only be used say once a year.So the expense of either a tow bar or heavy duty winch bumper would be over the top.

Have just seen a brand new tow bar complete with electrics and everything for £80 with free postage,so that may be a good option.

[Rhinoman]

Its worth paying extra on the towbar electrics to get a plug and play loom rather than having to use the skotch-loks that are usually supplied with cheap kits.

[RickUK]

Its worth paying extra on the towbar electrics to get a plug and play loom rather than having to use the skotch-loks that are usually supplied with cheap kits.

Had not thought about that one,have just sent them a email asking that question,fitting the actual tow bar i can do it myself and also the electrics if it had that mini harness thing that you mentioned,but if it was just scotchloks the i think that is out of my league.

Thanks again for taking the time too answer my question/s

[donkeychomp]

Whereabouts are you? I have a Vit towbar I don't use.

[twiss]

If you are after front recovery eyes... I think someone did sell a recovery bar for vitaras that fits through the front of the chassis, threaded either end with eyelets on it

[Rhinoman]

Dave Jones at bits4vits used to sell them but I don't think they fit a V6 chassis.

[twiss]

Ahhh yes I thought it was bits 4 vits but his websites offline at the minute...

[RickUK]

Thanks guys for all your input,the towing eyes on the 5door V6 are massive in diametre i would say about 20mm its dark so i cannot measure them,also these are not a screw in variation they are welded to the chassis as they left the factory and this is the reason why i was thinking it would be fine too use them for just the odd tug off a muddy field maybe a couple of times a year during the winter.

Most cars use either the screw in type that you carry in the boot or have welded flimsy looking one but i am not sure if it was just the LWB V6 that had the big variety.

@donkeychomp,out of interest what version of the Vitara does that towbar come from as if it fits the 5 door Vitara 2ltV6 i am more than interested and live in Hertfordshire so picking it up and paying for it is not a problem,of course if its the right version that is.

I use the V6 Vitara for just one thing and that is for taking all my my metal detecting gear onto say a farmers field parking it around the edge of the field then at the end of the day having no worries about getting off again,and that is the sole use.So basically i doubt that i would have any problems getting off but sometimes we have a few people who use normal saloon cars and they may need the odd time to pull them off till they get onto the road.

So although i am not technically on a budget,its pointless spending 100s of pounds on say winches and expensive towing equipment on the chance of never using it,when a really good quality towing strap and shackles will do the job.

Tomorrow,i will measure the towing hooks as when i say they are mighty meaty matey they are big in size,of course if the tow bar that has been mentioned on this thread will fit and at the right price then that would sort out all my problems,electrics are not really required,although i am not sure if the socket is required by law when a towbar is fitted,if it is required then i would of course connect it all up.

The reason i bouht the LWB version with the big V6 is that most of the time i would just do local sub 100 miles a week,but next week i am detecting up in the Midlands so it nice to have the odd trip that i can sit on the motorway at the legal limit and its not drinking the fuel that say a 1,6Vitara would do as that is a massive body to drag along for such a small engine,also if i need too i could at a pinch sleep in it during bank holiday rallies.

Once again folks,thanks for all your suggestions,i have tried to explain as best i can the scenario it will be used for,but as i dont do any off road or green laning like you hard core guys do,its nice to have the ultra reliable 4x4 off road ability that Suzuki offer.

Rick