Is "Hitch Shackle" a good idea? Also, recommendation for a tow strap.
- Thread starter jicko
- Start date
phillyd2
Senior Member
Honestly not much. A few have added a curt front receiver but the ones I've seen hang too low. Otherwise there are the factory tie downs to attach a strap to but it's buried down there which is an issue if your front end is buried.
Monkeymenno
New member
I love my Factor 55 HitchLink
Product Description
Use your receiver as a recovery tow point.
•Lightweight precision CNC machined 6000 series aluminum
•Weighs only 1.9 pounds. Steel versions weigh up to 8 pounds
•Rated at 9500 pounds
•Ultimate failure at 51,000 pounds
•Fits standard 2 inch receivers
•Fits common ¾ screw pin shackles/D-Rings
•Anodized or powder coated for oxidation protection
MADE IN USA
WARNING:
Never exceed factory receiver hitch pull rating
Always use a quality steel alloy 5/8” hitch pin
Always pull in line with the hitch, do not bind or side load the shackle
Has anyone ever run into electolysis/corrosion issues using an aluminum shackle hitch in a steel receiver? In my line of work (lineman) mixing steel and aluminum hardware can result in some nasty consequences.
Intruder
New member
That's a great way to end up having to cut the pin out of your receiver when it bends. The pin is not rated for a pull on the centre like that (@1engineer can explain why it's a problem compared to the receiver shackle). I can't think of a single instance where I got hung up on the receiver shackle, though I did scrape it plenty of times without any damage.
I always found that if the front recovery points were too buried to get at that a backwards pull was probably a better idea.
You can use the factory rear recovery point, but it can be difficult to get to at times. The other thing is you only have the one point on the driver's side and for some recoveries you don't want the angle pull. Another alternative to a recovery strap is a KERR like a Bubba Rope. I picked one up a while ago and I reach for it before the strap most of the time now. There are still times where a strap might be better so I still keep a few in the truck. I think my complement of recovery gear is 2 TJM straps, 1 cheap Erickson strap for use in mud, 1 Bubba Rope, 50' winch extension, 5 bow shackles (I don't use D shackles as they can't be side loaded), tree saver, pulley, and leather gloves. Believe me, you want the leather gloves when you handle winch line or a cold shackle. Looking at picking up a couple of gator jaw soft shackles from Bubba Rope as well.
Also, like [MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] mentioned, make sure to back the pin of your shackle off about half a turn after you tighten it. When the shackle rotates as you pull the other vehicle the pin can fuse in there if it's tightened down all the way and you might need a plasma cutter to get it off.
jrandom
New member
Only installed when necessary. I wouldn't leave it simply for the fact I wouldn't want someone walking off with it, even locked.
But yeah if you worked through the powder coat and the receiver paint and add a bunch of moisture and/or road grime probably a good chance.
[MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION] smart kit, esp "1 cheap Erickson strap for use in mud" I second that, my old one also serves as the "loaner". Twice I loaned out decent or better straps only to have them returned trashed, complete with skid marks, with nothing as much as a sorry or even bothering to spray them off with a hose, let alone an offer to replace. Now they get the swag tugger.
I really would like to pick a Bubba soft shackle and rope too. Look like a great addition.
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wfo9
New member
I can't see how it could bend with most commonly available pins. In theory, maybe, in practice, no way. Plus, most straps are 2" and spread the load perfectly across the pin. The bolts holding the hitch are going to fail before that pin will bend. At least with a strap...
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Intruder
New member
The strap is 2" wide but not the loop - it's more like an inch wide. There's no way in a dynamic recovery that the load will be spread perfectly across the pin.
Jetboy
New member
I'm in the hitch pin camp. I've yet to see a hitch pin fail or bend from a tow strap. If I do maybe I'll "come around". I've seen very big heavy trucks on 44-53" tires pulled out of very deep mud with a skidder using this method. I've even seen one tear the receiver mount from an F250. The pin didn't fail. And I don't think it will fail. You might have issues with sharp edges of a hitch tube, otherwise just stick the strap in and put the pin in. If you're worried about a point load - cut a 1.9" piece of steel DOM tube and make a thimble for the pin.
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wfo9
New member
Mine happens to be a 2" loop. Again, I see the theory of your point, but its not possible in the real world. Seen it done way too many times to believe that it could bend or cause a problem. The only time I would pause at all is if it was a strange angle and that in itself would be a good reason to pause.
oljedi11950
New member
And it's a great deterrent to tailgaters !
Intruder
New member
I've seen two bent pins that had to be cut out because they were used for recovery - one on a Jeep and one on a Tacoma. Just because you personally haven't seen it happen doesn't mean it isn't possible. Maybe it isn't very common, but I'm going to err on the side of caution when doing recoveries.
jrandom
New member
I guess I just don't understand, why not just use tools as they were intended to be used?
I can understand if it were a case of something over nothing that is going to get you home.
I am of the opinion the right $50 part is cheaper than any visit to the hospital because a strap was cut or a part catastrophically failed.
I can understand if it were a case of something over nothing that is going to get you home.
I am of the opinion the right $50 part is cheaper than any visit to the hospital because a strap was cut or a part catastrophically failed.
wfo9
New member
Because some of us can use our brains. I know that's not the american way these days, but some of us still do it. And less is sometimes more.
And if you need to hear it from an "expert" vs using your own judgement. Here is ARBs guide in video form for using a snatch strap.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Ire31FrEAI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Jetboy
New member
This is starting to sound like a land rover forum.
If you can explain why the hitch stinger is actually safer I might agree. A 5/8 hitch pin is much stronger than a tow strap. Unless you think tow straps are inherently unsafe. The plastic deformation point is 2-3 times the rating of your tow strap. The failure point is probably 5 times what your tow strap is new. And the pin is stronger than the hitch its self. Literally it will rip your frame apart before it fails. If you tried to dream up a perfect way to attach a tow strap, a hitch would be pretty close.
And FWIW, most of them I've seen have the pin drilled the wrong direction. The shackle should orient vertically to allow uniform strength from any angle of pull. Like a pintle hitch. If you're going to buy one - at least buy one from someone who thought for 5 seconds about how it should be oriented.
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jrandom
New member
I am not contesting the strength of the pin. My comment about failure is of anything used outside of its intended usage, not specifically the hitch pin. For a straight pull sure. and hell I am not arguing just saying it you have something designed to do a specific task why not use it. Was really jumping along for a ride on the insult bus.
Doesn't have 90 degree angles to come in contact with?
Doesn't have 90 degree angles to come in contact with?
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KidVermicious
New member
I was in the hitch pin camp, until I saw one bend. I don't know how close it was to complete failure, but that's close enough for me. A proper recovery point is best, but if you don't have one, a hitch mount shackle is better than just the hitch pin.
If a pin is all you have, then that's all you have, but the Shittybilt hitch shackle is twenty bucks or so, there's really no reason not to have one if you don't have anything better.
If a pin is all you have, then that's all you have, but the Shittybilt hitch shackle is twenty bucks or so, there's really no reason not to have one if you don't have anything better.
