How we researched this guide
We compared 5 rear recovery options from maker listings and recovery guides, and checked the fitment and rating notes on each maker page rather than relying on retailer summaries.
We also reviewed owner and club recovery guidance on tow-bar recovery, including the warning that the tow ball is not a recovery point, and the paired-point and bridle practice used on heavy recoveries.
The 30-second answer
Fit a rated rear point made for your exact bar: the ARB 8,000 kg rear point for the Ranger or HiLux with the OE tow bar, the Roadsafe RPRAN03 pair for Ranger PY and Everest, or a tow bar with a built-in rated point such as the Hayman Reese X-Bar. Never recover from the tow ball. There is no waterproof rating on recovery points; corrosion protection is what matters at the rear.
Best rear point for Ranger
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190)
Rated to 8,000 kg, built from Grade 350 steel and made for Ranger XL and XLT models with the OE tow bar. The red finish stays visible in mud and low light, and the slot suits soft and steel shackles.
Best rear point for HiLux
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1)
An 8,000 kg rated rear point for the HiLux, made to work with an ARB rear bar and the OE towbar. A straightforward choice when the rear bar and towbar are already ARB or factory gear.
Best with a rear step bar
ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080)
Made to fit the Ranger with the ARB rear step tow bar, in left- or right-hand fitment. Useful when the step bar is the rear protection and the recovery point has to live with it.
Best matched pair
Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03
A left- and right-hand pair for Ranger PY, Ranger Raptor, Everest UB and Amarok NF, each point rated to a 5,000 kg working load limit with a safety factor of 2. Roadsafe says to fit and use the pair with an equalising bridle.
Best tow-bar option
Hayman Reese X-Bar
A tow bar with a built-in recovery point rated to 8,000 kg, alongside a 3,500 kg tow rating. A good answer when the rear needs towing and recovery from one bar, with no separate point to add.
Quick compare
| Point | Fits | Rating | Fitment note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARB Ranger rear (2840190) | Ranger XL/XLT | 8,000 kg max load | OE tow bar only |
| ARB HiLux rear (2814040-1) | Toyota HiLux | 8,000 kg max load | ARB rear bar + OE towbar |
| ARB Ranger step-bar point | Ranger | Rated point | ARB rear step tow bar |
| Roadsafe RPRAN03 pair | Ranger PY / Everest / Amarok | 5,000 kg WLL each | Use as a pair with a bridle |
| Hayman Reese X-Bar | HiLux | 8,000 kg recovery point | Tow bar with built-in point |
How to choose a rear recovery point
Rating first, tow rating second
A tow rating and a recovery rating are different numbers. A bar can tow 3,500 kg and still carry a recovery point rated to 8,000 kg, because a snatch recovery loads the point harder and faster than towing. Size the point, shackle and strap as one chain, and let the lowest-rated link set the limit.
Fitment is vehicle and bar specific
Rear points are made for one bar and one vehicle. The ARB Ranger rear point fits the OE tow bar and does not fit the ARB rear step towbar, so the part number has to match the bar already on the truck. Check the maker fitment sheet, not a generic listing.
Shackle compatibility
Check the slot before you buy the shackle. ARB chamfers its forged point slots to take soft and steel shackles; other points are made for one type only. A 4.7-tonne steel D-shackle will not fit every recovery eye, so confirm the opening.
Corrosion protection, not waterproofing
Nobody waterproofs a recovery point. The rear point lives in spray, mud and road salt, so the finish is the protection: painted or coated steel, clean mounting faces, and a wash after wet trips. Uncoated steel at the rear will rust, and rust under a bolted joint is easy to miss.
One point or a matched pair
A pair with an equalising bridle spreads the pull across both chassis rails and keeps an angled recovery honest. Roadsafe designs its Ranger points as a matched left- and right-hand pair for exactly this reason. A single centre point is fine when it is rated for the pull and the pull is straight.
Detailed reviews: rear recovery points
Each point below is covered from its maker listing and the recovery guidance that applies to it. There are no Amazon buttons in this guide: no rear recovery point in this set could be verified on a live Amazon listing during research, so buy from the maker or an authorised dealer using the part numbers given.
Best rear point for Ranger: ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190)
Why the ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190) is our pick
Rated to 8,000 kg, built from Grade 350 steel and made for Ranger XL and XLT models with the OE tow bar. The red finish stays visible in mud and low light, and the slot suits soft and steel shackles.
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190): fits and best for
Best for drivers who already run the matching bar and want a rated rear anchor without changing the bar. Confirm the fitment note for your vehicle year and bar before ordering, because rear points are not universal.
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190): pros and watch-outs
- Rated by the maker for recovery loads
- Vehicle-specific fitment, not a universal bracket
- Works with rated shackles and straps
- Only fits the bar it was made for
- Needs the matching shackle size
- Coating needs care after wet trips
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190): what owners report
Owner and club guidance stresses the same two points for every rear point here: use the rated attachment, never the tow ball, and use a pair with a bridle on heavy or angled pulls. No long-term owner test of a single rear point was found; the ratings and fitment notes come from the makers.
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190): who should not buy
Do not buy a rear point made for a different bar and hope it fits. If your bar is not listed in the fitment note, the right answer is a recovery hitch for the receiver or a different bar, not a forced fit.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Best rear point for HiLux: ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1)
Why the ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1) is our pick
An 8,000 kg rated rear point for the HiLux, made to work with an ARB rear bar and the OE towbar. A straightforward choice when the rear bar and towbar are already ARB or factory gear.
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1): fits and best for
Best for drivers who already run the matching bar and want a rated rear anchor without changing the bar. Confirm the fitment note for your vehicle year and bar before ordering, because rear points are not universal.
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1): pros and watch-outs
- Rated by the maker for recovery loads
- Vehicle-specific fitment, not a universal bracket
- Works with rated shackles and straps
- Only fits the bar it was made for
- Needs the matching shackle size
- Coating needs care after wet trips
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1): what owners report
Owner and club guidance stresses the same two points for every rear point here: use the rated attachment, never the tow ball, and use a pair with a bridle on heavy or angled pulls. No long-term owner test of a single rear point was found; the ratings and fitment notes come from the makers.
ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1): who should not buy
Do not buy a rear point made for a different bar and hope it fits. If your bar is not listed in the fitment note, the right answer is a recovery hitch for the receiver or a different bar, not a forced fit.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Best with a rear step bar: ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080)
Why the ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080) is our pick
Made to fit the Ranger with the ARB rear step tow bar, in left- or right-hand fitment. Useful when the step bar is the rear protection and the recovery point has to live with it.
ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080): fits and best for
Best for drivers who already run the matching bar and want a rated rear anchor without changing the bar. Confirm the fitment note for your vehicle year and bar before ordering, because rear points are not universal.
ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080): pros and watch-outs
- Rated by the maker for recovery loads
- Vehicle-specific fitment, not a universal bracket
- Works with rated shackles and straps
- Only fits the bar it was made for
- Needs the matching shackle size
- Coating needs care after wet trips
ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080): what owners report
Owner and club guidance stresses the same two points for every rear point here: use the rated attachment, never the tow ball, and use a pair with a bridle on heavy or angled pulls. No long-term owner test of a single rear point was found; the ratings and fitment notes come from the makers.
ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080): who should not buy
Do not buy a rear point made for a different bar and hope it fits. If your bar is not listed in the fitment note, the right answer is a recovery hitch for the receiver or a different bar, not a forced fit.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Best matched pair: Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03
Why the Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03 is our pick
A left- and right-hand pair for Ranger PY, Ranger Raptor, Everest UB and Amarok NF, each point rated to a 5,000 kg working load limit with a safety factor of 2. Roadsafe says to fit and use the pair with an equalising bridle.
Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03: fits and best for
Best for drivers who already run the matching bar and want a rated rear anchor without changing the bar. Confirm the fitment note for your vehicle year and bar before ordering, because rear points are not universal.
Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03: pros and watch-outs
- Rated by the maker for recovery loads
- Vehicle-specific fitment, not a universal bracket
- Works with rated shackles and straps
- Only fits the bar it was made for
- Needs the matching shackle size
- Coating needs care after wet trips
Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03: what owners report
Owner and club guidance stresses the same two points for every rear point here: use the rated attachment, never the tow ball, and use a pair with a bridle on heavy or angled pulls. No long-term owner test of a single rear point was found; the ratings and fitment notes come from the makers.
Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03: who should not buy
Do not buy a rear point made for a different bar and hope it fits. If your bar is not listed in the fitment note, the right answer is a recovery hitch for the receiver or a different bar, not a forced fit.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Best tow-bar option: Hayman Reese X-Bar
Why the Hayman Reese X-Bar is our pick
A tow bar with a built-in recovery point rated to 8,000 kg, alongside a 3,500 kg tow rating. A good answer when the rear needs towing and recovery from one bar, with no separate point to add.
Hayman Reese X-Bar: fits and best for
Best for drivers who already run the matching bar and want a rated rear anchor without changing the bar. Confirm the fitment note for your vehicle year and bar before ordering, because rear points are not universal.
Hayman Reese X-Bar: pros and watch-outs
- Rated by the maker for recovery loads
- Vehicle-specific fitment, not a universal bracket
- Works with rated shackles and straps
- Only fits the bar it was made for
- Needs the matching shackle size
- Coating needs care after wet trips
Hayman Reese X-Bar: what owners report
Owner and club guidance stresses the same two points for every rear point here: use the rated attachment, never the tow ball, and use a pair with a bridle on heavy or angled pulls. No long-term owner test of a single rear point was found; the ratings and fitment notes come from the makers.
Hayman Reese X-Bar: who should not buy
Do not buy a rear point made for a different bar and hope it fits. If your bar is not listed in the fitment note, the right answer is a recovery hitch for the receiver or a different bar, not a forced fit.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Spec comparison
| Point | Rating | Material | Shackle fit | Buy from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARB Ranger rear | 8,000 kg | Grade 350 steel | Soft + steel | ARB / dealer |
| ARB HiLux rear | 8,000 kg | Grade 350 steel | Soft + steel | ARB / dealer |
| ARB step-bar point | Rated | Steel | Soft + steel | ARB / dealer |
| Roadsafe RPRAN03 | 5,000 kg WLL each | Steel | Rated shackles | Roadsafe / dealer |
| Hayman Reese X-Bar | 8,000 kg point | Steel bar | Rated shackles | Dealer |
Installation basics
Rear points bolt to the chassis or the tow bar with high-tensile bolts, and the maker torque matters as much as the rating. Fit the point to clean, painted mounting faces, torque the bolts to the instruction sheet, and re-check them after the first recovery and at service intervals. If the instruction sheet calls for a pair, fit the pair: a single point on one rail was never the tested configuration. How to install a rear winch on a truck covers rear mounting in general, and how to use a winch covers the pull itself.
Safety essentials
A rear recovery is a straight-line pull with a lot of stored energy. Treat every link as rated or do not use it.
- Never recover from the tow ball.
- Use a rated point, a rated shackle and a rated strap, and let the weakest link set the limit.
- Use two points with an equalising bridle on heavy or angled pulls.
- Keep everyone clear of the strap line and never stand between the vehicles.
- Check the point, bolts and coating after every recovery.
- Replace a point that has bent, cracked or been shock-loaded; never straighten it.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Point will not take the shackle | Slot made for the other shackle type | Use the shackle type the point is made for |
| Bolt holes do not line up | Point made for a different bar | Do not drill the point; buy the point for your bar |
| Rust under the point | Coating damaged, salt left on | Remove, clean, touch up paint, re-torque |
| Strap slips off the point | Wrong shackle or no shackle used | Use a rated shackle through the point slot |
Who should NOT buy these
Drivers with an unlisted bar: if your bar is not in the fitment note, none of these points is your part. Use a receiver recovery hitch instead.
Drivers who only tow on road: a tow bar already does that job. A rated recovery point earns its place only when the truck leaves the road.
Anyone planning to recover from the tow ball: no point in this guide fixes that. The ball is not a recovery point at any rating.
Final verdict
Best rear point for Ranger: ARB Rear Recovery Point, Ford Ranger (2840190). Buy it from ARB or an authorised dealer using the part number.
Best rear point for HiLux: ARB Rear Recovery Point, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1). Buy it from ARB or an authorised dealer using the part number.
Best with a rear step bar: ARB Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080). Buy it from ARB or an authorised dealer using the part number.
Best matched pair: Roadsafe HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03. Buy it from ARB or an authorised dealer using the part number.
Best tow-bar option: Hayman Reese X-Bar. Buy it from ARB or an authorised dealer using the part number.
FAQ
Are recovery points waterproof?
No maker rates a recovery point as waterproof, because a recovery point is a steel anchor, not a sealed device. What matters at the rear is corrosion protection: a coated or painted point, clean mounting faces, and a check for rust after wet or salty trips. Water itself does not weaken a rated steel point; rust left unchecked can.
Can I recover from the tow ball?
No. The tow ball is not a recovery point. Recovery guidance puts the ball rating near 3,500 kg, while a snatch recovery can load the point far harder, and a failed ball becomes a projectile. Recover from a rated point, a recovery hitch in the receiver, or a shackle through the tow-bar pin hole, never from the ball itself.
What rating should a rear recovery point have?
Match the point to the vehicle and the recovery, not to the tow rating. ARB rates its forged rear points to 8,000 kg and Roadsafe rates its Ranger pair to a 5,000 kg working load limit per point. Use two points with an equalising bridle when the vehicle is heavy or the pull is angled, and never exceed the lowest-rated link in the chain.
Do I need one rear point or two?
Two matched points with a bridle spread the load across both chassis rails and keep the pull straight. A single centre point on a tow bar works when it is rated for the job, but a single side point on an angled pull loads one rail. Fit the pair when the maker sells the point as a pair.
Will a rear recovery point fit with my tow bar?
Only if it is made for that bar. The ARB Ranger rear point suits the OE tow bar and is not compatible with the ARB rear step towbar or other rear bars with a tub and bumper, so check the fitment note for your exact bar before ordering.
Steel shackle or soft shackle at the rear?
Either works when the point slot accepts it. ARB forges its recovery-point slot with a chamfered edge to suit both soft and steel shackles. Soft shackles are lighter and will not become projectiles if something fails; steel shackles are tougher against sharp edges. Match the shackle rating to the point.
How do I look after rear recovery points?
Wash off mud and salt, dry the point, and check the coating and the mounting bolts. Touch up damaged paint before rust starts, and check the bolts to the maker torque at service intervals. A point that has been shock-loaded or bent should be replaced, not straightened and reused.
Is a tow bar itself a rear recovery point?
A tow bar can be the anchor for a recovery, but only through a rated attachment: a recovery hitch in the receiver or a shackle on the pin. The bar spreads load across both chassis rails, which is why it is often the strongest rear anchor on a truck. The tow ball and any unrated hole in the bar are not recovery points.
Sources
- ARB — Recovery Point Rear LHS, Ford Ranger with OE Tow Bar (2840190)
- ARB — Recovery Point 8000 kg, Toyota HiLux (2814040-1)
- ARB — Recovery Point, Ranger with ARB Rear Step Tow Bar (2840080)
- 4×4 Australia — Toyota HiLux towbar and rear protection guide
- Roadsafe — HD Recovery Tow Point Kit RPRAN03
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo covers winches, recovery gear and the workshop tools around them, working from maker documentation and owner reports rather than test claims.
Related guides
- Best Winch Recovery Kit
- Best D-Ring Shackles for Recovery
- Best Tree Saver Strap
- Best Snatch Block for Winching
- How to Use a Winch
- How to Install a Rear Winch on a Truck
Top pick: ARB Rear Recovery Point for Ranger and HiLux, rated to 8,000 kg.