Shackles and Snatch Strap

I'm having trouble picking a couple of shackles and a snatch strap. I have a 2003 Tacoma 4x4 (2.7L 4cylinder). I expect to do a fair amount of towing/recovery even though the tow rating is 3500lbs.

I was thinking about ARB from TRD4U, but I'm having trouble picking a safe connection for the rear tow hitch. I have a tow hitch and ball, but I know you're not supposed to use them. So I'm kind of stuck.

What would you guys get?
-Shackle size / brand
-Strap rating / brand
-Components to connect to my receiver hitch
-Components to connect to second car (usually a jeep wrangler or 2wd '95 4Runner)
-Website/Store to buy from?


Thanks!!

 

i have the ARB 17,000lb snatch strap. i have had it for almost 2 years now without any problems. its 30 feet long, and has reinforced loops on the ends. a really great strap.

 

Just use the pin that holds the ball in in your receiver. Push the loop of the strap into your receiver and insert pin.

 

What would you guys get?
-Shackle size / brand = 3/4" Smittybilt shackle from Amazon.com ~$12/ea

-Strap rating / brand = 10,000 lb 2" strap 20' long Keeper recovery strap ~$20 amazon.com

-Components to connect to my receiver hitch = Smittybilt receiver hitch d-ring ~$30 amazon.com (i fabricated one from scrap 1/4 wall 2" square tube with a half inch eyelet for the d-ring, 3/16 wall should do just as good)

-Components to connect to second car (usually a jeep wrangler or 2wd '95 4Runner) = another shackle or loop the tow strap around something solid on the jeep and through the strap's hole then connect the other end to your vehicle.

-Website/Store to buy from? = I found it cheapest on amazon.com. Walmart has some of the same stuff for a little higher price. Autozone has a better selection of tow hitch/tow hook stuff, but they are more pricey.

 

Here's one...
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/recovery-gear-winches-recovery-straps-chains-c-66_70.html

 

Wow thanks guys! That is exactly the information I was looking for.

Just wanted to mention for other people reading - I was told not to use cotter pins on the receiver for recovery. I doubt you typically run into problems, but a rare angle can mean a lot of deadly flying objects.

 

Check these out http://www.metalmiller.com/#!recovery-shackle

2" solid stock, I've tested the hell out of these.

 

I got stuck as fu*k last week. Front end went into a hole and I was done for. (Open diffs) called a friend to come and get me out, he was in a Jeep, I know, I know, but he was the only one I could think of, but he couldn't get me out with his 30 foot strap, loops only no metal hooks. And before anyone yells at me for wheeling alone I wasn't wheeling just trying to get to a fishing spot that happened to be near the water and happened to have a hole the size of Montana. So another vehicle was needed, an Explorer 4x4 with another strap, hooks, no loops. Both used my Curt hitch receiver, one in the receiver one on the chain mounting hole. Both used blankets/floor mats on the straps for the just in case . The spectators(there were plenty) were told to get the hell way back, and presto I was out. Point is, be smart durring recovery, avoid dangerous situations and take the precautions needed to save a life. oh yea, DON'T use chains silly.

 

Best 3/4" shackles out there are the Von Beests, otherwise known as green pins.

Viking sells them: http://www.winchline.com/hardware.html


Suggest also getting straps from Viking, they make some of the best recovery gear in the world....ARB is a close second

please do not get the cheap recovery straps from walmart, autozone, harbor freight etc. Get GOOD standard color coded gear from Viking, ARB, etc. recovery gear is NOT a place to skimp on

 

WOW! Nice looking hardware. NO!! Thats NOT what she said

 

I suggest any brand 3/4" shackle. Most quality shackles will be rated for overhead lifting and so the WLL will have a factor of safety of 3 or 4x the WLL stamped on the shackle. Plenty for the forces encountered in snatch.

The receiver hitch pin MAY bend but it's unlikely and even so, you will not end up with a missile. No safety concerns there. Although a proper shackle attachment point is better in the end as it's easier to get straps on and off and you're less likely to cut or fray a strap while pulling at an angle.

Straps... I'd get something a little more than 10k, probably at least around 9k WLL not breaking strength. Wheelers off road has their own brand straps with a WLL of ~13k, I have several and really like them.

I also have a variety of crosby and ARB shackles 5/8 3/4 and 7/8. Crosby are pretty much the rigging industry standard fwiw.