D-Ring pin security

Do you/how do you secure your D-ring pin to avoid theft? I'd like to leave it on the receiver, because I like the look of it. So... I've heard of people using baling wire, taping the threads and zip ties on their D-ring pins. I'd obviously put a locking pin on the receiver.

Or...sadly, just keep the whole works locked up until recovery time?

Thanks to the group for your knowledge, wisdom and keen wit. (Not necessarily in that order)

 

The only way to prevent someone from really stealing it is to keep it in truck, a zip tie or wire will only keep honest people honest.

That said I use a zip tie, more so that I don't lose the shackle from the pin backing out.

 

Not true.

I use this works great. http://www.infiniterule.com/

I have expensive warn epic shackles and they aren't going to be stolen....

Az

 

$45 to lock up a $10 shackle, they can steal my shackles. Plus I don't have to worry about losing a key or having the locking mech freeze when I need to use the shackle

 

Can I ask why you want to leave it there? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't step 1 in the recovery to remove the shackle to put the strap on? Unless the sole reason is to make your truck look wicked sick, leave it in the truck.

 

Epic shackles are 50.00 -60.00 bucks each.
No frozen locks here. Zip ties ? Lmao

 

A Crosby shackle is american made, been around for a loong ass time, has a per shackle qc for load rating and pin. I use them every day to lift things that weigh more than our trucks.

I think you just spent 40 dollars for a peice of plastic and powder coating.

If you dont want it jacked dont show it off.

 

Wow, Infinite Rule definitely has high quality stuff. I should have known somebody makes a locking shackle pin. Thanks!

 

I appreviate your question. Putting the strap on the shackle would be step 2. Putting the shackle hitch into the receiver tube would be step 1.
I"m weighing the pros and cons of having it on. Here is what I have thus far.

Pros to having shackle on:
Ready, set, recover. Don't have to look for, locate it.
Doesn't take up space, rattle around in the cab, behind/under seats, in tool box.
Looks good on the truck.

Cons to having shackle on:
Copious Minnesota road salt will corrode everything outside of truck including new truck (darn salt).
Target for thieves (damn thieves).

Thanks for the comments fellow Tacomans.

 

I have a locking receiver hitch coupled with a locking pin for when I tow a trailer. Two locks makes it a little harder when someone wants to steal the loaded trailer and prevents the more opportunistic thieves. When I’m not towing I usually have a receiver insert fitted with a shackle installed. The receiver fitting is locked in by the usual pin, the shackle is secured with a zip tie to prevent it from unthreading by rough roads. I haven’t had one stolen yet.

 

Good to know, thanks for the input.

Do you typically have much salt on the roads in Fairbanks during the winter?

 

I leave my shackle off. I don't want it exposed to the elements and then being frozen/corroded together when it comes time to needing it. It's a tool to serve a purpose (a pretty important one) and you don't want to gamble on that not working.

 

I’m not sure what exact compound they put on the roads here. It’s usually just gravel since salt doesn’t help at -20°, but during fall and spring I’m pretty sure they spray some kind of mixture on the major roads. I haven’t had any rust problems other than surface rust where I’ve scraped the shackle on rocks.

 

Consider yourself fortunate they use gravel near you. In Minnesota they use so much salt there is usually more salt residue than snow on most of the roads. My neighbor works for MN Dept. Of Trans. (MNDOT). He was telling me the environmentalists are getting more involved because 1 tablespoon of salt will spoil 5 gallons of fresh water (runoff into streams, rivers, lakes etc.) and you can"t get the salt out once it's in there.

 

The city I live in uses scary amounts of salt in the winter. They never cut it with sand, which imo, they should. But who am I to say.

 

Indeed!
We are team TRD Off Road: Tacos Recovering Ditch-dwellers Off Road

 

They tell me leaving the Shackles on is a Mall Crawler thing Or your telling people you get stuck all the time !

Both may very well be true .

 

Weld the pin in that witch!!! Solved

 

+1. It's a tool. Not a decoration