Receiver Hitch Recovery Hardware ?

[DiscoJen]

I have started purchasing my 1st few bits of armor and recovery gear and am getting ready to buy a receiver hitch recovery point. So I've been eyeing other off-road vehicles to see what everyone else is using. Generally I have seen that most folks have the 2" w/ shackle setup. I recently saw a couple of the one piece 2" w/ hook.

Since I have rarely seen the hitch hook used I am assuming there is a good reason...is it a crap setup?

Curious in Tampa,
Jen

 

[Ex CCS Racer]

Honestly I wouldn't bother buying anything. I just slide the loop of a recovery strap into the reciever and put the pin through it and then the clip. I did the same with my Jeep many times without a problem. I used my D1 to pull a Jeep YJ out of Uwharrie 3/4 of a mile this past weekend the same way. If you're set on something purpose built I wouldn't recommend a hook but a reciever/shackle combo.

 

[Croakus]

I use a Warn 2" receiver hitch recovery point and 3/4" shackle. I have a closed loop strap that I connect to this.

I've heard of a lot of people who just put the hitch pin through the end of a closed loop strap, but I just don't have that much trust in the pin alone. It seems that it would be possible to torque the receiver pin at an odd angle. Never seen or heard of it happening, it's just my opinion.

I also don't like hooks because it's easy for things to slide off them. I've only seen this happen a few times, but it does happen.

With a closed ring attached to your vehicle in a nice sturdy way, you minimize the possibility for problems.

I had a pound of steel fly past my head about a month ago because a recovery was not performed correctly. It could have easily been my last day on earth. So at the moment I'm real testy about doing it the right way.

 

[MSager007]

My brother did the pin through the strap technique with his jeep and managed to bend the pin. He had to cut the pin to get it out.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

I would seriously think of a hitch hook, just for speed of recovery (vs. flooding in water crossings). But get one that is so over-engineered its ridiculous. If you don't run water, then don't bother and do it right with a solid shackle block and 5 tonne shackles.

 

[rmuller]

In Bill Burke's recovery video he only uses a hitch pin... i've pulled a couple people out when they've only used a hitch pin and it works fine... but I think the money is worth it for the shackle mount since if you need someone to winch you out, you can put their hook right onto the d-ring.

 

[MilSpec]

I am for the hitch pin technology. If your Disco is rated to pull a 7000+ trailor in low range using this same pin, then I am sure that it will hold a closed loop strap pulling a vehicle of same dimensions. Isn't the cool looking D-ring, connected via a hitch pin, or is there some awesome deal inside there that makes it that much stronger. Bill Burke seems to think its ok, thats good enough for me. Yes, over ridiculousness is nice too.

 

[syoung]

I've used the strap-on-pin method for years. The only problem is when you've stuffed your receiver full of mud and clay and have to dig it out with a screwdriver while standing in cold water. The shackle is easier.

 

[Croakus]

This is the first time I have ever had a reason to doubt Bill Burke's abilities.

A receiver shackle spreads the force across the entire hitch pin. A strap puts the force wherever it happens to land. If you're able to pull the vehicle under perfect laboratory conditions each and every time the pin is fine. My experiance is a little different.

And as I said before, I've seen what happens when a recovery isn't done right. It can literally mean your life if you screw up or cheap out by not buying that $20 part.

 

[antichrist]

snip
A receiver shackle spreads the force across the entire hitch pin. A strap puts the force wherever it happens to land. If you're able to pull the vehicle under perfect laboratory conditions each and every time the pin is fine. My experiance is a little different.
snip

Technically speaking, it doesn't, as the ball mount is hollow. However you are definately correct that it's a stronger setup, as the ball mount walls are against the receiver and so there isn't the possiblity of the pin bending.

Jen, I looked at the shackle specific setups, like the warn, and decided to go with a 2" drop ball mount. It was cheaper and also could use it if I needed to tow a trailer without having to buy yet another item.

As far as a hook goes, I can only say, speaking as a former rigger, never loop something over an open hook. Shackle or hook with a safety latch.

 

[EMBIBB]

shackle

I primary asset I find with using the reciever/shackel is retaining the shape of the receiver hitch itself. In many situations, I have contacted the rear of the vehicle at the hitch. Without something there, it would have been deformed.

eddie

 

[Rocky]

Once you've decided this complex tast I'd go to www.masterpull.com and buy a 20 foot 20,000lb recovery rope. Straps are best for trees due to the lack of give. Shackles should always be 3/4 inch

 

[utahdog2003]

I am for the hitch pin technology. If your Disco is rated to pull a 7000+ trailor in low range using this same pin, then I am sure that it will hold a closed loop strap pulling a vehicle of same dimensions. Isn't the cool looking D-ring, connected via a hitch pin, or is there some awesome deal inside there that makes it that much stronger. Bill Burke seems to think its ok, thats good enough for me. Yes, over ridiculousness is nice too.

I was a pin-only man for my Toyota (don't have a hitch on the Rover) and it worked fine. If you've got some quality hardware, you should never bend a pin. I would guess if somebody bent a pin, it was either an under-rated pin for a smaller hitch, a shitty pin, or they were way over the weight rate for their hitch, and were risking pulling the whole damn thing off and having it hit them in the forhead.

I think most folks want the D-ring thing because D-rings look cool. Very Rough and Tumble Marlboro Man-ish. Not that there's anything wrong with buying Rover junk because it looks cool ...I just think that initially, you could spend your money on a good strap and a Hi-Lift and kit and some good gloves, and be just fine for the first wave of buying. I'm in the same boat with the new Rover, with a box full of skids in the living room, and a nice clean recovery kit in the back of the truck.

Jen, we can compare new Rover toys at the spring rally! WOOHOO!

 

[Milan]

Technically speaking, it doesn't, as the ball mount is hollow. However you are definately correct that it's a stronger setup, as the ball mount walls are against the receiver and so there isn't the possiblity of the pin bending.

Technically speaking it does because the hitch shackle mount block is solid not hollow. Hitch ball mount is hollow but it's not really meant for jerking. Either way, I too have seen the pin bend as well as the strap cut on the sharp edges of the receiver tube and so I prefer the shackle mount in the receiver over the pin. I'm sure the ball mount is also better than just the pin. Cutting the strap on the hitch is kind of counterproductive to "spending money in the right place". Buy a good strap and then cheap out on a stupid mount and ruin the strap? No thanks.

 

[antichrist]

Ah, ok, I never looked at one close enough to notice it was solid. I stand corrected. But the ball mount is rated the same as the receiver, so I figured it would work ok and that's what I chose to go with, as overall it's cheaper. But if one never plans on towing, the recovery deal would be the way to go, certainly over the hook or pin only option. IMO

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Tom the proper hitch is very short and is solid steel. It does not stick out like a tow hitch, and it is the correct thickness to hold a 5 tonne shackle too. A hard yank from the side and you'll see why people don't use tow hitches! Spend the money and do it safely.

 

[antichrist]

Well, I don't allow yanks from the side as I'd be worried about damage to alot more that the hitch.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Don't get stuck on a bend then!

 

[DiscoJen]

Wowie!

That's a lot of really good information! Guess I will go ahead and go with the shackle set up mainly because of whoever it was that mentioned getting mud in your hitch hole and making it difficult to quickly stick a tow strap through that gunk and pin it in. I've already had my hitch fill up with mud so the correalation there really hit home.

Next on my list are some of those purty jate rings for the front frame! Geeez, $80 a pair - maybe I should plan on never getting stuck....riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight! lol

Thanks guys!

James: definately will see you in the spring...I'll show ya my new diff guard if you show me yours...

 

[DiscoIIman]

Jen,

I'd go with this one from Expedition Exchange. It's at the bottom of the page.

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/superwinch/

David