Are bow shackles really necessary for vehicle recovery?

10majfar · Feb 10, 2010

Another beginner at off-roading here.
This weekend, I am almost 90% sure I will be pulling my buddy's jeep commander out of deep mud. (He is also a rookie.) I've been doing a lot of homework this past week, but one thing has got me stumped. (for now, one thing; but I'm sure I'll find others)

I have an 08 v8 full time 4wd with a factory 'weight distributing hitch.' I have proper rated recovery straps (or snatch straps).
I was wondering where to loop the strap on the rear of my car.

One gentleman at the dealership told me to loop the strap right on the hitch ball. I made a mental note to ask someone else next time.

I think the straps would break well before the hitch was damaged.... right?

Are shackles necessary? If not, then where can I loop the strap to on the rear hitch?
As for the jeep, I trust he'll know where to loop it on his, but any pointers on that would be appreciated too. I don't want to mess his car up either.

thanks in advance

Clemsonfan15 · Feb 10, 2010

You can't put it on the ball. It will come right off. Just buy a shackle. They aren't that expensive and are really easy to use.

10majfar · Feb 10, 2010

Does 50 bucks sound right for a 3-4 ton bow shackle? Or was I in the wrong aisle lol.
If possible, I would rather stick to just 20 dollar straps. (really tight budget here) But will get a shackle if I can find one for cheaper.

Clemsonfan15 · Feb 10, 2010

That sounds a little expensive to me.

D-Ring Shackels: 1", 7/8", 3/4", 5/8", 1/2"

That's one of the first places I found. I'm sure you can find them cheaper.

trd_4runnin · Feb 10, 2010

Assuming your straps have the looped ends and not the hooks, I always just stick the looped end of the strap in the receiver and then stick the hitch pin through it and use the hitch pin as the anchor point. This way you don't have two worry about your hitch/ball hurting your departure angles. I've never had any problems doing it this way.

10majfar · Feb 10, 2010

What should the pin diameter be? I'm not even sure what it is on the hitch.
Width between eyes...?

/\ Never mind these questions, I will probably do what trd_4runnin said

10majfar · Feb 10, 2010

trd_4runnin said:
Assuming your straps have the looped ends and not the hooks, I always just stick the looped end of the strap in the receiver and then stick the hitch pin through it and use the hitch pin as the anchor point. This way you don't have two worry about your hitch/ball hurting your departure angles. I've never had any problems doing it this way.

This sounds the simplest. Actually, this was my first guess, but for some reason I was afraid of the pin snapping and shooting back. Pretty dumb thinking, but at least I'm learning. Thanks for the advice.

Uneek · Feb 10, 2010

10majfar said:
This sounds the simplest. Actually, this was my first guess, but for some reason I was afraid of the pin snapping and shooting back. Pretty dumb thinking, but at least I'm learning. Thanks for the advice.

From previously discussed threads, another issue/concern is the pin might bend and get stuck in the hitch.

MCL_68 · Feb 10, 2010

If you're going to be off roading invest in some GOOD recovery equipment...don't go cheap....go prepared

The old saying: "You get what you pay for" will prove itself out in the field...

The majority of the equipment below can be purchased at any 4x4 shop or online...prices vary so shop around.

You should at least have these items.....
1.A receiver hitch shackle

2.Recovery tow strap at least 3" wide 30" feet long...not the cheap ones with hooks...Also a snatch strap...helps by stretching (Kinetic energy) to get the down vehicle unstuck...

3.At least 2 3/4" D-shackles...Not the weak ones you can get at hardware stores...

HB 4X4 · Feb 10, 2010

:iagree:

If you use the "pin" you will regret it eventually. Buy the proper equipment, recovery has no place for shortcuts. The pin is meant to take a wider dispersed force (an entire hitch receiver) not a strap which will put all of it's force on a small point.

If you don't want to spend the extra $$ to be safe, then find a new hobby.

trd_4runnin · Feb 10, 2010

HB 4X4 said:
:iagree:

If you use the "pin" you will regret it eventually. Buy the proper equipment, recovery has no place for shortcuts. The pin is meant to take a wider dispersed force (an entire hitch receiver) not a strap which will put all of it's force on a small point.

If you don't want to spend the extra $$ to be safe, then find a new hobby.

Any experience to back that up? I have been stuck so deep before that my brothers 7.3L PowerStroke on 35s had to yank me about 6 times before I finally moved, and the pin never bent. If the the pin does for some reason bend one of these times, then I will cut if off with a sawzaw and go buy a new one for $2.44. Wouldnt mind having one of those receiver shackle things, but the warn one is about $45 if I remember correctly and for that kind of money I'll take my chances with the pin method that has worked time and time again for about 3 years now.

bulldogtaxi · Feb 10, 2010

there is also a hook reciever that you can get. i have used mine many times and it works great

10majfar · Feb 10, 2010

Thanks for the help guys. I got the snatch strap taken care of, but locally the cheapest D shackle with a 4 ton weight limit was 50 bucks. There are smaller ones but they are likely to become projectiles during vehicle recovery.

Thanks everyone for the pointers. I will definitely get a shackle soon, but this weekend I will take my chances with the pin since I have no cash at the moment.

techno · Feb 10, 2010

Just wanted to mention one other thing concerning the shackles.

NEVER use a shackle to join two straps together. If you do need extra length and want join straps, then loop them through each other and use a stick or rolled up magazine/paper to prevent them binding up when under load. If a strap breaks (which they sometimes do), then a shackle becomes a deadly missile, but a paper will probably just leave a bruise.

You can also use the shackle to attach the strap to the factory tow loops. Just keep in mind that the tow loops are not rated for high recovery loads and they may break loose and become missiles too. Try to use the tow loops for light recovery duties only.

As for the hitch connections, they all work ok for me. I've never bent a pin or broken a tow ball, but I have heard stories. Use the ball as a last resort. The receiver hitch shackle is a great product that can be used under all loads.

HB 4X4 · Feb 10, 2010

trd_4runnin said:
Any experience to back that up? I have been stuck so deep before that my brothers 7.3L PowerStroke on 35s had to yank me about 6 times before I finally moved, and the pin never bent. If the the pin does for some reason bend one of these times, then I will cut if off with a sawzaw and go buy a new one for $2.44. Wouldnt mind having one of those receiver shackle things, but the warn one is about $45 if I remember correctly and for that kind of money I'll take my chances with the pin method that has worked time and time again for about 3 years now.

No experience, because I bought the proper gear. Keep doing it... doesn't matter to me. You can read through this thread if you care to, but like I said, it makes no difference to me as long as you're not around me when taking your shortcuts.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/21714-hitch-shackle.html

Will_4R · Feb 11, 2010

Bow shackles should cost $10-$15. They are worth it. You can get away with only 1, and girth hitch the other end to one of the recovery loops on your truck, but a really hard pull and it can be hard to undo.

I suggest a 2" wide strap with a breaking strength of around 20,000 pounds, and a working load limit if one-third that. The reason for not going to a stronger 3" strap is that I think the 2" is strong enough, and you want to make sure that the strap is the weakest link in your system and not a piece of hardware or the recovery point itself. I am skeptical of the 4Runner recovery points. Although the manunal states them as such, they don't provide a working load limit for them.

trd_4runnin · Feb 11, 2010

HB 4X4 said:
No experience, because I bought the proper gear. Keep doing it... doesn't matter to me. You can read through this thread if you care to, but like I said, it makes no difference to me as long as you're not around me when taking your shortcuts.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/21714-hitch-shackle.html

I read the thread back when it was still a new thread, and re-read it to make sure I didn't miss anything. Still a few people making claims that they have absolutely no personal experience to back it up, pretending to have physics degrees when they probably don't. Again, I have been doing it this way for years and have never had a tow pin fail. Show me some hard evidence to back up what you "think" would happen and I'll believe you. I'm glad there are people like you to buy the "proper gear" just because someone told you it was the "proper gear", otherwise these companies would be out of business.

Between this thread and the one you linked I have seen 3 people who said they use the pin as a tow point quite frequently and have never had a negative outcome whatsoever, and a whole bunch of people who have had 0 experience to back their argument up.

HB 4X4 · Feb 11, 2010

trd_4runnin said:
I read the thread back when it was still a new thread, and re-read it to make sure I didn't miss anything. Still a few people making claims that they have absolutely no personal experience to back it up, pretending to have physics degrees when they probably don't. Again, I have been doing it this way for years and have never had a tow pin fail. Show me some hard evidence to back up what you "think" would happen and I'll believe you. I'm glad there are people like you to buy the "proper gear" just because someone told you it was the "proper gear", otherwise these companies would be out of business.

Between this thread and the one you linked I have seen 3 people who said they use the pin as a tow point quite frequently and have never had a negative outcome whatsoever, and a whole bunch of people who have had 0 experience to back their argument up.

Cool... :bravo:

Like I said, it makes no difference to me what you do as long as it's not around me. I am not trying to persuade you either way. I just hope you 3 who use the pin never hurt someone or cause damage and regret your choices. I do, however, believe there is a reason that only 3 people use the pin (your own words).

My girlfriend is co-pilot on most trips, and I don't take any shortcuts regarding safety. To each his own, just be cautious. Hindsight is always 20/20, but assuming things won't go wrong is how you get into trouble.

Thai · Feb 11, 2010

HB 4X4 said:
Cool... :bravo:

Like I said, it makes no difference to me what you do as long as it's not around me. I am not trying to persuade you either way. I just hope you 3 who use the pin never hurt someone or cause damage and regret your choices. I do, however, believe there is a reason that only 3 people use the pin (your own words).

My girlfriend is co-pilot on most trips, and I don't take any shortcuts regarding safety. To each his own, just be cautious. Hindsight is always 20/20, but assuming things won't go wrong is how you get into trouble.

Then, why do you have a highlift??

Just kidding...had to jump into the conversation! I think that you will find more evidence to show the negative aspect of wheel spacers before you will find any about a tow pin breaking.

10majfar · Feb 12, 2010

Didn't mean to start an argument lol but hey if people use the pin with repeated success there is no harm in that. But I agree HB, better safe than sorry.

I probably won't use the eyelets either unless its with a winch.

And yeah nice idea about not overdoing the snatch strap. If that is your weakest link then at least you're left with a broken strap, not a torn off hitch. I've bought a 2" with 15,000 lb webbing that should be enough.

Well I think I'm good now, just starting with some light snow/mud so no big deal really.

Thanks everyone for the help

eace:

Are bow shackles really necessary for vehicle recovery?

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