Recovery Strap and Hook Up?

[Untamed]

Opinion on a 20,000 lb. Explorer Pro Comp Strap (2" x 30')? Is the 20K sufficient?
Also, what is wrong with placing the loop over the ball hitch instead of using a shackle? I have done this many times with no problems but these shackles seem to be preferred.

[Cruiserhead]

Originally Posted by Untamed

Also, what is wrong with placing the loop over the ball hitch instead of using a shackle? I have done this many times with no problems but these shackles seem to be preferred.

You really don't want to do that. That ball flying at 100mph into the back of a puller's head can put a real downer on the day. Hitch balls are rated for towing, not recovery. The shock loads on recovery can be quite large.

Unbolt the ball and put a shackle in there. Besides, the strap can slip off the ball too.

I think a 3" would be better if you are a heavier rig like a mid-size SUV. It would be good to have both. The 2" is usually for lighter rigs like minitrucks or lighter suv's.

30' is a good length. The 20' seems to be short for many situations

Good luck & be safe!

[bulldog]

Using shackles are a lot safer as they keep the strap in place, so no accindental slipoffs.

[my034runner]

Originally Posted by bulldog

Using shackles are a lot safer as they keep the strap in place, so no accidental slip offs.

Hey, my new front SW bumper will have more shackles too!!!
Take off the hitch and get the block and shackle, the block will slide right into your receiver, and you're set. I got mine @ 4Wheel parts. Never have taken it off since, I haven't towed anything either though.

[kdubz]

I got a 30,000lb 30 ft pro comp recovery strap today and a hitch shackle thing from 4wheel parts. (The darn thing was expensive)

Is one strap all I need?

[bulldog]

Originally Posted by kdubz

I got a 30,000lb 30 ft pro comp recovery strap today and a hitch shackle thing from 4wheel parts. (The darn thing was expensive)

Is one strap all I need?

I got my 3" 30' strap from wheelers. They are not too expensive and it is a pretty good quality strap.
http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/4runnertowstrap.htm

I have 1 or 2 extra straps, shorter 20' and 2". I have used them a few times for mud recoveries. That way I just give it to the person being recovered, after the recovery. They are cheap and I dont really want to deal with a muddy strap afterwards. Reminds me I probably need to get one more at some point.

I also have a snatch strap for heavy duty recoveries, but have yet to use it. I'll save that for a really rainy day.

Next on the list is winch recovery gear.

So basically it is good to have a heavy duty 30' strap adn a shorter (cheaper) 20' strap for those muddy pulls that don't require that bulk, but you don't want to mess up your nice strap. Make sure you have shackles though. Normally one strap is good, but a cheaper second strap is sometimes good to have. More important is to wheel with other folk to pull you out

[JeepResQ]

I am not huge at posting my opinions, but:
I think a lot of fellas would be benefited by buying the dvd by Bill Burke called
GETTING UNSTUCK! He educates us a lot on what to do, what to use, how to discern which parts are made for our hobby and not. ETC,ETC,ETC!
If you havent heard of this dude, just pick up this months issue of 4WD Toyota magazine or visit: http://www.bb4wa.com/

[TXST8tj]

the best thing to do when recovering using a strap and hitch is to slip the loop end of the strap into the receiver hitch and put the pin through that. there is no need for added products. they are nice BLING effects, but not needed.




it is certainly not bad to have a receiver mounted shackle, it's just another expense. it does have that "bad a$$" vibe though.

[TXST8tj]

oh, and while a 3" wide strap is a nice choice if you can, a 2" x 20' works just fine for recovering midsized SUVs. it didn't even break a sweat pulling my buddy's WJ with my TJ and 2" x 30' Procomp recovery strap.

[JeepResQ]

Originally Posted by TXST8tj

the best thing to do when recovering using a strap and hitch is to slip the loop end of the strap into the receiver hitch and put the pin through that. there is no need for added products. they are nice BLING effects, but not needed.




it is certainly not bad to have a receiver mounted shackle, it's just another expense. it does have that "bad a$$" vibe though.

I love the reciever shackle, but its all looks.

Puttin it with just the hitch and pin is the smartest way IMHO!

[TXST8tj]

i agree (obviously). it's just one less thing to fail and one less thing to lug around.

[bulldog]

I'm not a big fan of just using the reciever hitch pin for recovery. Though it will work it opens the possibility of 2 things to happen. 1. My reciever has soem good scuff marks from rocks and the strap will get scuffed on it. 2. The pin was designed to be used with a metal piece that has atight fit inside the reciever, thus reducing the stress on the pin. If you use a strap directly on the pin the stress will be much more centered in the pin and opens the possibility of actually bending it. It is also a pain in the ass to access, especially if you are in mud and deep water.

Teh additional cost of the hitch shackle reciever is minimal for the rduction of recovery risk and convenience. There is no downside to using it apart from minimal cost. I highly advice folsk to get it unless they have an aftermarket bumper with recovery points on it.

Most recoveries is basially just towing the rig out, which means minimal stress on the parts. However if someone is stuck in mud, etc up to the frame the load will increase significantly and a good snatch might be involved, this increases the load considerably. I would rather be safe than sorry. The rule of thumb is about 3x the full vehicle weight for straps for hard recoveries as the strap will add elasticity to the recovery. Most 2" straps will be fine if the rating is sufficient, I just prefer some more beef as I like straps to last longer.

Never had an issue with recovery equipment and would prefer to keep it that way. As said above some ofthese course are pretty good to go to. Better safe than sorry.

[Teotwaki]

Using the hitch pin is suspect for lots of reasons.

Your strap has to pull straight back to evenly load the pin as well as not chafe and bind on the edge of the receiver opening. A D shackle gives you more freedom to handle off-axis pulls.

From another forum:

Most people are using a class III hitch pin, which is typically a 5/8" pin made from C1018 or 304 stainless. A 5/8" hitch pin will yield at about 9300 lbs. A severe pull with a recovery strap can exceed that which could cause the pin to bend or break in the middle. Hitch pins are almost never heat treated and since they achieve their rated strength of about 5000 lbs without it, no one is going to actually grade a Class III hitch pin

[JeepResQ]

You guys are right.
I forgot about that stuff.
Although, I always use as many implements as necessary.
One thing against the hitch pin too, is side to side pressure against that sharp angle of the mouth of the hitch. Using the shackle, you dont have that problem.

And heck, I'll be damned before I abuse my recovery equip.
Just my .02!

OOPS, I JUST REALIZED SOMEONE ALREADY SAID THIS!!!! SORRY!!!!

So, I take back what I said. But still, it depends on the situation.

[expat]

Originally Posted by TXST8tj

the best thing to do when recovering using a strap and hitch is to slip the loop end of the strap into the receiver hitch and put the pin through that. there is no need for added products. they are nice BLING effects, but not needed....it is certainly not bad to have a receiver mounted shackle, it's just another expense. it does have that "bad a$$" vibe though.

I will disagree with you for the same reasons already posted.

Wear on a strap from sharp edges of the reciever are an unacceptable risk.

The pin can bend - why would you risk this?

Bling??? Why?? It's strong, purpose built, convenient, cheap, proven. What's your definition of bling? Most of us like bigger wheels and tires and that's probably more bling than a recovery tool.

"Always be prepared" from our boy hood days. Some things you can get by with and others require a specific tool; the best of both examples are when form follows function and the result is beautiful. Shackles? No need to cut a corner here. Use the right tool for the job.

[Wanderer]

Pardon the thread necromancy. At 48 seconds into this video from the ARB YouTube channel shows the use of only a hitch pin to attach the recovery strap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ire31FrEAI

If there is concern with center-loading the pin why not use a simple cylindrical insert inside the loop of the tow strap? If the edge of the hitch opening is sharp or rough why not smooth it with a file?