Guidelines for proper recovery points are as follows:
 
1. The place it is mounted must PREFERRABLY be both horizonally and vertically in line with the chassis member;
 
2. Having receovery points on both sides of the chassis and using both points during recovery is highly advisable as this allows recovery forces to be HALVED on each recovery point doubleing the safety aspect;
 
3. It must PREFERRABLY be mounted directly on the chassis itself;
 
4. This is not always possible, which means it is mounted indirectly onto eg. the bumper but then the indirect mounting (eg bumper) must a) be very strong itself and b) be mounted to the chassis in a most secure manner;
 
5. The recovery point itself must be the strongest (rated for at least 10 tons), most confidence inspiring item your pocket can buy - its no good spending good money on something that may fail you and possibly hurt someone. This does certainly not mean the most expensive either. This item should be seen in the same light as brakes - simply not to be compromised on;
 
6. This implies that the way it is mounted to the vehicle should also be able to handle +-10 tons - albeit difficult to prove/certify;
 
7. We advise NOT fitting them UNDER the vehicle as we have had enough recovery situations where accessing these proved very difficult to get to;
 
8. Where bolts are fitted through a chassis member it is advisable that, if not already fitted, a high tensile tube be welded flush into the chassis through which the bolt then passes. This has the effect of spreading the load by the bolt to a much greater area around this tube AND prevents the chassis from giving way as the bolt is tightened.
 
9. We quite like the ball and pin type tow hitch properly mounted as recovery point(s) for the rear or the front.
 
10. The reason we certainly do not regard the lash down rings as recovery points is that when a sideways force (normally the case during recovery) is exerted on that ring its chances of breaking the bolt holding it, is greatly increased making it most unsafe. Dead ahead is probably quite ok.

Philip Lochner – LROC TechTorque August 2006