Inpression...

[Jerry D.]

Here is a photo of what can happen if you use a tow ball as a recovery point. Found the photo on IH8MUD 80 section.
That's the back end of a 4Runner. Luis was telling one of the folks at the last Turkey Trot about not using the tow ball.
Picture is worth a thousand words (or dollars).

Jerry D.

 

[40TUDE]

Lucky it's not lodged in the back of someone's head

 

[CruiseOrlando]

Another couple of inches up and it might have been. Not good.

 

[lp2k]

Yea those things are rated for 2000 pounds, lc weight a lot more so stress failure is an option for tow balls

 

[super40]

strange place to store a towing ball.