Is the Touareg really a 4WD

[dmm_au]

That looks quite cool. Nice picture anyhow.
I notice they have an ARB sticker, but I'm not sure what ARB have supplied.
Is that the standard recovery hook on the starboard side (RHS looking forward)?

I don't think the winch would be a great investment, better to travel with others and use a snatch strap. I'm still concerned about the reliability of this point, and the other threads I've read don't really provide a lot of comfort.

These recovery points look identical to the ones MountainLord sells.
http://allphaseoffroad.com/products.html?id=240

Presumably they are just stronger at the eye, no change to where they mount on the vehicle. Can someone comment on the value of this?

[Transporter]

That looks quite cool. Nice picture anyhow.
I notice they have an ARB sticker, but I'm not sure what ARB have supplied.
Is that the standard recovery hook on the starboard side (RHS looking forward)?

I don't think the winch would be a great investment, better to travel with others and use a snatch strap. I'm still concerned about the reliability of this point, and the other threads I've read don't really provide a lot of comfort.

These recovery points look identical to the ones MountainLord sells.
http://allphaseoffroad.com/products.html?id=240

Presumably they are just stronger at the eye, no change to where they mount on the vehicle. Can someone comment on the value of this?

It can be manufactured for less than $ 185 US. I'd machined it from one piece of steel. When I get our Treg I'll post pictures of finished recov. hooks.

[bobzed57]

The allphaseoffroad hooks are the same ones as mountainlord's. If you're thinking of making your own, the thread into the chassis is a LH one.

When I got my light bar, it was also supplied with sleeves so that you can use the recovery hooks without the light bar.

Cheers

[dmm_au]

If someone local has the ability to machine them local for less, consider making 2 more. I'm ordering my new T2 on Monday

[barefoot]

I'd like to know what everyone thinks about Composite Fibre for skid plates, it's light (won't squash you if you're under the car changing oil ), doesn't corrode and absorb shocks better than steel. I would imagine it'd be reasonably customizable into the various folds etc. for a skid plate.

I could investigate if there's enough interest ..... see this link to a Toowoomba company that makes bridges with composites:
http://www.wagner.com.au/cft.asp
Cheers

[Transporter]

I'd like to know what everyone thinks about Composite Fibre for skid plates, it's light (won't squash you if you're under the car changing oil ), doesn't corrode and absorb shocks better than steel. I would imagine it'd be reasonably customizable into the various folds etc. for a skid plate.

I could investigate if there's enough interest ..... see this link to a Toowoomba company that makes bridges with composites:
http://www.wagner.com.au/cft.asp
Cheers

I would be interested.
Marine grade aluminium is also option as material they build the ships from it.

[barefoot]

I think alum and steel might present a galvanic/anodic corrosion issuem, though lots of bull bars are alum. so I wonder how they manage this issue.
Cheers

[Transporter]

I think alum and steel might present a galvanic/anodic corrosion issuem, though lots of bull bars are alum. so I wonder how they manage this issue.
Cheers

You can get it ionidisied.
But to get electro-chemical corrosion started you need current, oxygen and/or fluid between the two parts of different metals some combination are more corrosive than others. Steel and aluminium are not very corrosive together.

[Moonan]

This thread is getting interesting...
A couple of points to the current topics here:
We have talked about recovery points and skid plates...

1. Materials of construction of the skid plates... The same Mountainlord in the US who trades as "Dakar Offroad" and provided Bobzed's recovery eyes and light bar manufactures a one-piece skidplate for the Touareg. Around US$1250, ++++ to ship to Oz. It is made of 6mm Aluminium IIRC.
As for composite fibre, that is interesting. My experience is that it is strongest in tension, mabe not so good getting a "crush injury" as in a Touareg landing heavily on its suspension and bottoming out somewhere. Flak jackets have kevlar and are "bulletproof", but (like a safety helmet) should be thrown away after impact as the fibres in them have lost their integrity. Just my 2 cents worth, I have been surprised by composites before.

2. Recovery points. First of all, VW provide a recovery eye-bolt, and it's strength has been called into question by a lot of people. Hence all of the discussion about alternatives.
Just remember one thing. While it is true that no one has been able to get a straight answer from VW Oz as to its absolute load rating, that eye bolt has come through the same engineering processes and design standards reviews as the 2.5 tonnes and $70k++ worth of complex automotive machinery that you are trusting your (and your loved ones') life to every time you go on the road. Why would you expect that it is any less capable than the rest of your Touareg? (having said that the eye sold by mountainlord has several advantages as Bob can attest to)
The whole Touareg concept is "understated but overengineered" ie it looks and drives very smoothly and does not scream "look at me I'm a wanker" like some other makes but it will take you most anywhere you want to go and will do so as effortlessly as driving to the shops.
(getting off soap box now)

[Transporter]

Some people replace tow hooks/eyes with bigger ones or better shape, some times just different shape make easyer access. We are expecting to take delivery of Treg in mid December. Ofcours if I'm happy with what is on the car as standard I wouldn't modify it. And, if I do, I'd do it properly.