Winch hook recommendations

[jdm-v35]

I finally ordered a winch setup (badlands 12k synthetic with warn semihidden bumper mount) for the 4runner and am looking at closed loop winch hook options. Preferably aluminum so it will hold up better in road salt.

I was thinking about a Factor55 Prolink or Flatlink, but I would think people may try to steal it if they know what it is.

As a cheaper alternative I was looking at the smittybilt thimble but it only shows a 20k lb max load. I dont see a working load mentioned.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[mrblah]

I went with a flatlink E since its easy to use soft shackles, but now I have gone back to a regular hook (warn epic hook).

I stop drinking the factor 55 koolaid...

 

[jdm-v35]

I went with a flatlink E since its easy to use soft shackles, but now I have gone back to a regular hook (warn epic hook).

I stop drinking the factor 55 koolaid...

Yea I think their stuff is nice but overpriced. I do think that the closed loop winching idea is not bad though. I was also looking at the epic hook but not sure how it will hold up with road salt.

I'm also ordering a tree saver, snatch block and already have a bunch of D-rings and a tow strap.

 

[NB17Limited]

I would have gone with the Agency 6 billet winch shackle but they were out of stock when I wanted to order. Ended up with a Factor 55 flat link E

 

[Chrisw023]

I would have gone with the Agency 6 billet winch shackle but they were out of stock when I wanted to order. Ended up with a Factor 55 flat link E

I run the factory 55 flatlink's on both mine but here's a new option that is intriguing.

Groove FairLead by Tow Points [Hawse Fair-lead] – The Dirt Lifestyle

 

[mrblah]

Yea I think their stuff is nice but overpriced. I do think that the closed loop winching idea is not bad though. I was also looking at the epic hook but not sure how it will hold up with road salt.

I'm also ordering a tree saver, snatch block and already have a bunch of D-rings and a tow strap.

I'm not gonna try to persuade anyone as to which is better, because I think it comes down to personal preference.... so for me, the close loop system wasn't practical when it came down to actual usage.

However...I would still recommend the flatlink E if you are dead set on using a closed loop system and the warn epic hook if you want to go with a hook..lol.

I still own both, and have the flatlink E in my spares box incase some meth head decides to swipe my hook..(they've tried).

Currently though it seems the market is moving to an all soft shackle system... which i think..makes more sense than a closed system.

I do use a soft shackle/ring for a snatch block, and carry a bunch of soft shackles. I leave only 1 D ring shackle on the vehicle when i go boon docking, and none on the vehicle when i daily drive it.. and i didn't do this for safety..i did it cuz i got tired of packing recovery gear and lugging around heavy recovery gear..its a PITA and im lazy.

 

[jdm-v35]

I'm not gonna try to persuade anyone as to which is better, because I think it comes down to personal preference.... so for me, the close loop system wasn't practical when it came down to actual usage.

However...I would still recommend the flatlink E if you are dead set on using a closed loop system and the warn epic hook if you want to go with a hook..lol.

I still own both, and have the flatlink E in my spares box incase some meth head decides to swipe my hook..(they've tried).

Currently though it seems the market is moving to an all soft shackle system... which i think..makes more sense than a closed system.

I do use a soft shackle/ring for a snatch block, and carry a bunch of soft shackles. I leave only 1 D ring shackle on the vehicle when i go boon docking, and none on the vehicle when i daily drive it.. and i didn't do this for safety..i did it cuz i got tired of packing recovery gear and lugging around heavy recovery gear..its a PITA and im lazy.

Lol, so i guess winch hook theft really is an issue? What happened in your case and what did they do/fail to do in stealing it?

 

[mrblah]

Lol, so i guess winch hook theft really is an issue? What happened in your case and what did they do/fail to do in stealing it?

they tried to steal the hook but couldn't get the cotter pin out because the hook was held tight to the fairlead, they didn't have leverage to release the cotter pin (faced towards the fairlead), and they didn't know how to release the clutch on the winch. SO those *******s, tried to leverage the hook against the bumper, and in the process destroyed my front license plate (which was on a license plate flipper). Also sometime during all of this, they tried too break into the vehicle, though the quarter panel window (Cargo) but didn't realize i had a rago molle panel behind it....which stopped them cold. Apparently they got spooked and left me a shitty chinesium ratchet set and some pliers for their trouble.

Anyways, now, i cover the access holes to my winch clutch, so they can't access the clutch or cut the line. I also make sure my cotter pin is pinned against the fairlead so its difficult to remove from the hook like before. this hook isn't coming off.

For the factor 55, its pretty hard to steal cuz it uses a safety washer to secure the pin in a recessed hole, and you ideally, need a safety washer plier thing to remove it. However, i put a round piece of plastic and a rubber gommet in the recessed hole so it covers the safety washer.. I also mounted the flatlink upside down, so the recessed hole is facing downward. So thieves need to lie on their back looking upwards with tweezers to get the plastic cover and safety washer out...lol. i don't think thieves carry tweezers.

Of course, any thief can just cut the line and steal the hook or the flatlink...thats why i cover the access holes now...if they can't see it, they won't know to try.

 

[jdm-v35]

they tried to steal the hook but couldn't get the cotter pin out because the hook was held tight to the fairlead, they didn't have leverage to release the cotter pin (faced towards the fairlead), and they didn't know how to release the clutch on the winch. SO those *******s, tried to leverage the hook against the bumper, and in the process destroyed my front license plate (which was on a license plate flipper). Also sometime during all of this, they tried too break into the vehicle, though the quarter panel window (Cargo) but didn't realize i had a rago molle panel behind it....which stopped them cold. Apparently they got spooked and left me a shitty chinesium ratchet set and some pliers for their trouble.

Anyways, now, i cover the access holes to my winch clutch, and i make sure my cotter pin is pinned against the fairlead so its difficult to remove from the hook like before.

For the factor 55, its pretty hard to steal cuz it uses a safety washer to secure the pin in a recessed hole, and you ideally, need a safety washer plier thing to remove it. However, i put a round piece of plastic and a rubber gommet in the recessed hole so it covers the safety washer...so thieves need tweezers to get it out...lol. i don't think thieves carry tweezers.

Of course, any thief can just cut the line and steal the hook or the flatlink...thats why i cover the access holes now...if they can't see it, they won't know to try.

Thanks for the info. Was this in a bad area? It makes sense though and I would worry about them cutting the winch line to steal the hook. It sounds like they did some damage but were too stupid to complete any of it. That's why I would worry about using an expensive factor 55 hook.

BTW, what is your take on soft shackles and a recovery ring vs a snatch block and D rings? I am just not familiar with how well soft shackles work or hold up, though they seem easier to use. I am in the process of ordering the rest of the recovery gear now to go with the winch so not sure which way to go.

 

[mrblah]

Thanks for the info. Was this in a bad area? It makes sense though and I would worry about them cutting the winch line to steal the hook. It sounds like they did some damage but were too stupid to complete any of it. That's why I would worry about using an expensive factor 55 hook.

BTW, what is your take on soft shackles and a recovery ring vs a snatch block and D rings? I am just not familiar with how well soft shackles work or hold up, though they seem easier to use. I am in the process of ordering the rest of the recovery gear now to go with the winch so not sure which way to go.

I live in california, where crime is legal..soo....yeah..

Well, yeah the factor 55 will gain more attention thats for sure, mainly because thieves dont know what it is and might try to steal it. A hook is a hook..not high on the theft list.

I don't winch enough to where the durability of the soft shackles concern me, and I don't use it as first line either. For me the switch to soft shackles was because i switched back to a hook, and most of my gear became redundant.

So for me, most of my recoveries are off of other vehicles, so i found that all i need for most scenarios is a hook, a steel D shackle, and a winch mat, which is literally already attached to my vehicle (except for the mat). I don't have to prepare my gear.

So why am i carrying all this stuff that i rarely need... I might still need a snatch block, i might still need a tow strap (tree saver) and I might need a extra D ring..so I figure i will replace them with soft shackles to save weight and space.

This why i mentioned earlier, that the closed loop system doesnt work for me... i don't wanna mess with extra gear or take the time to find it in the vehicle or mess with soft shackles and flatlinks when its miserable outside due to it being muddy, snowing, or raining. It might work for other people though....lol.

 

[jdm-v35]

I live in california, where crime is legal..soo....yeah..

Well, yeah the factor 55 will gain more attention thats for sure, mainly because thieves dont know what it is and might try to steal it. A hook is a hook..not high on the theft list.

I don't winch enough to where the durability of the soft shackles concern me, and I don't use it as first line either. For me the switch to soft shackles was because i switched back to a hook, and most of my gear became redundant.

So for me, most of my recoveries are off of other vehicles, so i found that all i need for most scenarios is a hook, a steel D shackle, and a winch mat, which is literally already attached to my vehicle (except for the mat). I don't have to prepare my gear.

So why am i carrying all this stuff that i rarely need... I might still need a snatch block, i might still need a tow strap (tree saver) and I might need a extra D ring..so I figure i will replace them with soft shackles to save weight and space.

This why i mentioned earlier, that the closed loop system doesnt work for me... i don't wanna mess with extra gear or take the time to find it in the vehicle or mess with soft shackles and flatlinks when its miserable outside due to it being muddy, snowing, or raining. It might work for other people though....lol.

Thanks for the info and insight. That all does make sense and it helps me to also make similar more efficient gear decisions. It looks like I could leave 1-2 D rings on the warn bumper if needed, but I will probably pick up some soft shackles to store along with the tree save and tow strap. Most of my adventures are solo, so I would be hooking up to a rock or tree.

Similar to your situation I don't want to fiddle with things or carry unnecessary gear. I am only buying things to be as efficient as possible. I have just been in a few situations now where I was close to needing a winch. Or in the compressor case I could have used one and didn't have it.

I guess my only other thing I am debating on now is whether a snatch block is any better than a snatch ring. it looks like they are decently comparable

 

[mrblah]

Thanks for the info and insight. That all does make sense and it helps me to also make similar more efficient gear decisions. It looks like I could leave 1-2 D rings on the warn bumper if needed, but I will probably pick up some soft shackles to store along with the tree save and tow strap. Most of my adventures are solo, so I would be hooking up to a rock or tree.

Similar to your situation I don't want to fiddle with things or carry unnecessary gear. I am only buying things to be as efficient as possible. I have just been in a few situations now where I was close to needing a winch. Or in the compressor case I could have used one and didn't have it.

I guess my only other thing I am debating on now is whether a snatch block is any better than a snatch ring. it looks like they are decently comparable

the snatch block/ring, get whatever is in your budget or fits in your kit. the steel snatch block stores flatter but is heavier. The ring is lighter, but physically bulkier (its a big giant ring w/ thick soft shackle).

 

[jdm-v35]

Ordered a Warn sidewinder, a treesaver, winch mat and some soft shackles. still not decidedon a snatch block or ring yet, but most likely the ring for weight purposes.

 

[grizzlypath]

I went with a flatlink E since its easy to use soft shackles, but now I have gone back to a regular hook (warn epic hook).

I stop drinking the factor 55 koolaid...

I have the same Factor55 Flatlink E and kinda wish I didn't get it. It's thick af and honestly I miss having the use of a hook. I'll likely keep it until I find a nice steel hook that cinches up flat like the Warn ones or something, and then try to sell the Factor55 one.

 

[jdm-v35]

I have the same Factor55 Flatlink E and kinda wish I didn't get it. It's thick af and honestly I miss having the use of a hook. I'll likely keep it until I find a nice steel hook that cinches up flat like the Warn ones or something, and then try to sell the Factor55 one.

I ended up switching my order and went with a Agency 6 flatlink. I will carry the hook with me as a spare piece. If I wanted hook functionality I was looking at the factor55 ultrahook. i would definitely be worried about theft of it though.

Thanks to mrblah i considered primarily going with soft shackle use.

I bought a gearamerica winchdamper/bag, a 50k lb aluminum snatch block, a few soft shackles and a recovery ring and a tree saver as well to be prepared. I also have a few D-rings already.

 

[Bassturd]

I went cheap with all that stuff. Badlands winch, line, and hook. I split a 4 pack of soft shackles with a buddy off of Amazon 4 for $40. Harbor Freight snatch block. Couple cheap D-rings. I work at a ski resort so I’ve pulled plenty of non locals out of the ditch with my cheap tools and haven’t had a failure yet. I sunk the Runner into the river doing the Barracks trail and used just about everything I had to get out. It all worked flawlessly!

 

[Nalcyon]

After having the steel cable break at a horrible time, (is there ever a good time?), I replaced the steel cable with synthetic line and added a warn sidewinder for the hook. I was skeptical at first because I thought it would not be as usable as a hook but so far I really like it. FWIW I use the winch a considerable amount probably 10-20 times per year mostly for fallen trees on the farm. What is beautiful about the sidewinder and other closed systems is when you do a vehicle to vehicle recovery and you can connect directly to a D ring tab without any other connection. It's also nice when hooking up to a tree saver without having to use a D ring although depending on the size of the tow strap this is not always possible.

As others have said I carry the equipment with me but do not attach d rings to the tabs unless it is necessary for a recovery. Takes 15 seconds on the trail, doesn't bang around, doesn't weather them, you will rarely need 4 d rings all attached at all 4 corners for a recovery, doesn't knock the coating off the inside of the tab causing rust, doesn't tempt people to steal them.

Everybody has something stupid that frustrates them. Mine is seeing rigs running around with 4 d rings and a hitch mounted 5th d ring banging metal on metal as they drive around town.

 

[jdm-v35]

Got all the accessories in and packed them in the GearAmerica Winch Damper bag. I like it and it is a really smart and efficient design. Good weatherproof type material and it has weights in the bottoms of the flaps. It has a good amount of space. I like that is is multifunctional vs others companies winch dampers that have no other function and you need to carry that plus a gear bag.

I packed the treesaver, 2 soft shackles, the 50k lb snatch block and the recovery ring in it and there is still space for more. I have a few D-rings so i will throw in a couple just in case.

The Agency 6 flatlink is very nice. A good sturdy design and it looks/feels well made. It is pretty light for its size.

The winch and bumper should be in by end of this week so if weather permits, I am hoping to work on it this weekend.