D Shackle & Recovery Questions

Are they all the same or what should I look for? I know most of them are 3/4". Recovery Straps should be rated to What? Thank you

 

So no one knows? Can anyone point me in the right direction or might know someone who knows?

 

In general you want the working load limit (WLL) to be greater than the weight of your truck. The breaking strength/ultimate capacity is usually 3 times the WLL. Read the fine print when you order things. Some are marketed by breaking strength and others are marketed by WLL. My double cab long bed has a curb weight of +/- 4300 lbs plus whatever I am carrying around.

If you plan to bury your truck up to the axle in thick mud, you may want to buy things with a larger load capacity than someone who only believes they will slide down an embankment during a snowstorm. Below is what I carry in my truck. I don't know anything about snatch straps.

$21 TGL 2-Pack of 3/4" D-Ring Shackle, 40000 Pound Break Strength

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013FLW8J6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tanaka Heavy Duty Recovery Tow Strap. 30000 Lb Capacity. Length (3" X 30')

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012TYU5SQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

This is an excellent source of info. and product. They also put out a really cool user guide. They are all about rigging. Crosby at www.thecrosbygroup.com

 

Red Hound Auto 2 Shackles 3/4"es Galvanized D Ring Marine Anchor Bow with Screw Pin 4.5 Ton

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QSNZJGI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Look for a rated load stamped or raised lettering in the shackle itself. If you dont need them to be black, these are 13$ for two , I have these and the galvanized zinc coating is very high quality. this company also has different color ones for 15$ these are the best prices anywhere.

 

When it comes to shackles, it's been my observation that it's generally accepted by the off-road community, that as long as the WLL is stamped into the forging it should be okay.

For our sized trucks, it's quite common to use a 4-3/4 ton 3/4" screw pin bow shackle with a 7/8" pin.

I take it a step further and make sure that the manufacturer is stamped on the shackle as well. It doubles the cost of the shackle over the no-name chinese stuff, but in my opinion, it's worth it to me.

I'm currently using some Titan Marine branded shackles.

Crosby is probably one of the best, Campbell is also good, both made in U.S.A.

Regarding straps:

Nylon straps will stretch, and are used for vehicle recovery.

Polyester straps are for tow applications and will not stretch.

When you go shopping, make sure you know what the strap is made of, because lots of times, the manufacturers are are bananas, and label shit wrong.

 

When you do end up using your strap, place a blanket, jacket, or floormat draped over it roughly centered between you and whatever you're pulling. In the event that something breaks, it will pull the strap down...hopefully redirecting whatever rocket is now heading your (or their) way.

I keep a smittybilt 3"x30' in my truck.

 

Yea I learned that Thank you

 

Could you just attach a D-Ring or D-Shackle to your Tow Hitch?

 

You can with a shackle receiver adapter.



I have one I need to list in the market place. (just got a new rear end for my truck and no longer need it)

 

A tree-saver strap and a Hi-Lift are nice to have too. You can lift yourself up to place wood under the tires or use it to winch yourself out in a pinch.

I agree with everyone else... Crosby products are great. We use Crosby products for all our rigging at work. I've owned generic shackles from Amazon, Smittybilt shackles, and Crosby shackles. The generic shackles from Amazon look skinnier and just feel cheaper than the others, but I've never had any of them break.

 

I will add in most cases you get what you pay for. But in the case of recovery and saftey the dollar savings with no name stuff is not worth it. Buy the best you can because without the gear the cost of paying for the help to come out and save your ass will make the cost of high quality gear pocket change. Or you can just be that one.

 

I'd like to keep the d-ring on the hitch on the back. Would antiseize on the threads help prevent it from being a PITA later on when I need its?

 

General rule is to hand tighten the shackle then back it out 1/2 turn keeps it from seizing on you.

 

Then I'd worry about it backing out completely and losing it while driving. No?

 

At work we put rebar tie wire through the eye of the shackle pin and loosely tie it to the curved part of the shackle. This just keeps the shackle pin from rotating and backing out. The tie wire will rust and look like shit pretty quickly. A zip tie might do the trick. This a similar picture to what we do at work

http://s66.photobucket.com/user/OffRoadPhoto/media/shakle2.jpg.html

 

Slip a screwdriver through the hole in pin, crank it down tight. Stops casual theft.

If recovering, loosen half turn before pulling.

 

Hand tighten to snug - back off 1/2 a turn and throw a ziptie through the pin hole and around the shackle. I've had mine like this for the whole summer - its too hard to for any person to snap the zip tie trying to steal it but light enough that my knife cuts it off when I need to remove it.

Anti-seize will help but the friction between the shackle and the mount will wear it away and cause it to rust, I just disconnect mine and leave it in the truck now. After one winter with salt/sand and needing to tug my friend out of a ditch having an easy to use shackle without fighting it is key.

Snatch Straps are mint for tugging someone out, it stretches and is better for pulling someone out of a ditch. Tow straps don't stretch and are used for as they are called - towing. Grab a snatch strap and pull someone out, then pull them out with a tow strap and you'll understand what I'm saying.

 

Just use a black zip tie (white and some other colors aren't UV stable) to keep the pin from backing out. Leave the tie loose so it's easy to get behind with a knife or pliers. There isn't a need to cinch it down tight. A few turns using stainless or monel tie wire will work too.