Club 80-90 Forums

Hopefully will never need this again, but just in case..

A couple of months ago I had to be recovered due to a knackered water pump. The RAC sent a flat bed and the driver wanted to use his winch to pull the van up the ramp onto the back, only we couldnt work out a safe way of pulling it. In the end I filled the header tank to the brim and was to drive up before it all sprayed out.

What is the recommended way of winching / towing the van from the front? There is a little loop of metal welded to the body under the front, but it doesnt look strong enough to be pulled by.

Well it is. Chickenkoop and I are always towing each other with that

"little " strip of metal is well strong.. we reg recover syncro's that have been "adventurous" (mine included ) if it and surounding metal is in good nick..

Other way would be to put a strap aroung the lower suspension arm.. AA man did this.. he said he never uses the "towing points" on any vehicle unless he really has to...

he said he never uses the "towing points" on any vehicle unless he really has to...

Twit!

Yes as Simon says, what was the guy's problem... I believe I'm right in saying that we've towed syncros from that with 3 linked together pulling and to date cannot remember seeing or hearing of one letting go, though I'm sure it's happened at some time... probably on a Syncro having been damaged.

I towed mine about 30 miles using the towing point and a rigid bar between it and the tow vehicle.
It took a bit of a battering but it held ok.

My van was towed on the metal loop at the front, last week

No problems

Ok - i'll have more faith in it. Might have to start looking after it too...

Just carry a fence post and 20 ft of chain

Slips easily into the glove compartment