How Strong of a Receiver Shackle Mount?

[BourbonRunner]

Since you're not going for show go with options out there from a reputable company like ARB. I wouldn't trust a Harbor Freight jack stand, not going to trust their Chinesium recovery shackles nor most of the inexpensive garbage you find on Amazon likely made in the same sweat shop. Things can and will go tits up in a recovery-- and quickly. Quality, well made recovery gear is essential.

A good kinetic rope is a must have as well. Don't forget the soft shackles for it, and by all means, always carry something you can use as a damper on a static line as mentioned above.

ARB's weekender kit plus their damper is a good starting point and is easily storable.

Sponsored

 

[gatornek]

That Boss Hitch is aluminum. It’s got a higher working rate than the HF steel one. Prices vary from brands and sometimes you pay for the name. Same as anything.

IN.TER.EST.ING! Glad I started this thread. Looks like I need to take much deeper dives into the receiver hitches I'm looking at.

 

[gatornek]

I did read your OP; it wasn't just a tow ball receiver, it was a drop hitch receiver. The leverage placed on the joint between the down tube and the receiver tube when used in that fashion is the primary reason it failed. A shackle mount has no down tube, therefore cannot generate the kind of leverage that caused this failure. In other words, the failure mode that caused the death in this accident is not possible with a shackle mount.

The most common shackles in use for 4X4 recovery are 3/4" and 7/8", rated at 9500 lbs and 13000 lbs respectively. I don't believe I've seen a shackle mount rated lower than 9500 lbs. If the one you're looking at is rated lower then I'd think twice.

To take it a step further, if you use a soft shackle instead of a metal bow shackle during recovery you can be fairly sure the soft shackle will fail before the shackle mount.

I'm using this one available on Amazon. It's rated for 11,000 lbs working limit, and features a chamfered shackle hole specifically for use with soft shackles.

Thank you sir! Super thorough here. So it was more about the leverage and angle then the strength of the steel/aluminum. I suppose it makes sense that in a regular receiver shackle mount, the stress will most likely be placed on the shackle pin and Dring, like you indicated. Not the actual receiver itslef. Do I have that right? I suppose ther could be 'weird' recovery angles that could bring about more stress on the receiver, but in general, its not really moving up/down/sideside.

 

[Dude]

IN.TER.EST.ING! Glad I started this thread. Looks like I need to take much deeper dives into the receiver hitches I'm looking at.

@gatornek why not consider this one, designed and lab tested in the USA, $50

Thoughts?

Rhino USA Shackle Hitch Receiver (Fits 2" Receivers) Best Towing Accessories for Trucks, Jeep, Toyota & More - Connect Your Rhino Tow Strap for Vehicle Recovery, Mounts to 2" Receiver Hitches
https://a.co/d/aTffdZ2

 

[gatornek]

Since you're not going for show go with options out there from a reputable company like ARB. I wouldn't trust a Harbor Freight jack stand, not going to trust their Chinesium recovery shackles nor most of the inexpensive garbage you find on Amazon likely made in the same sweat shop. Things can and will go tits up in a recovery-- and quickly. Quality, well made recovery gear is essential.

A good kinetic rope is a must have as well. Don't forget the soft shackles for it, and by all means, always carry something you can use as a damper on a static line as mentioned above.

ARB's weekender kit plus their damper is a good starting point and is easily storable.

I did get the weekender kit. So I have the static strap and d rings from that. I agree with you whole heartedly on the chinese garbage, but may very well go with Rhino on the kinetic rope and soft shackles, since I feel that the rope is more of a throw away item, as it will probably be my go-to.

Anyway, I also got the ARB "Ford Performance" air compressor, and the ARB tire repair kit.

 

[gatornek]

@gatornek why not consider this one, designed and lab tested in the USA, $50

Thoughts?

Rhino USA Shackle Hitch Receiver (Fits 2" Receivers) Best Towing Accessories for Trucks, Jeep, Toyota & More - Connect Your Rhino Tow Strap for Vehicle Recovery, Mounts to 2" Receiver Hitches
https://a.co/d/aTffdZ2

I have. But then I start worrying about "Chinese garbage". Is this steel?? Can you confirm?

 

[gatornek]

I'm using this one available on Amazon.

Mark, you'rs is aluminum. Is there any reason in particular you chose not to go with steel?

 

[Dude]

I have. But then I start worrying about "Chinese garbage". Is this steel?? Can you confirm?

I can only provide what’s on the website (which says Alloy Steel) and their test info .. you would need to call the company. “Call Us Anytime @ (800) 575-7310”

Brand: Rhino USA
Item Weight: 7 Pounds
Vehicle Service Type: Used for Recovery on all Vehicles
Material: Alloy Steel
Finish Type: Powder Coated

 

[Mark S.]

Mark, you'rs is aluminum. Is there any reason in particular you chose not to go with steel?

• Since the Badlands is not a body-of-frame vehicle GVWR is limited.
• Every pound of recovery gear is one less for payload.
• The working weight rating on this device is more than double the GVWR for the Badlands.

 

[gatornek]

Since the Badlands is not a body-of-frame vehicle GVWR is limited.

But I'm not really talking about a tow situation. This is a thread specifically about recovery.

In a recovery situation, isn't it possible (while not necessarily advisable) to exceed the manufacturer's GVWR on the tow point? If you're in a dire situation, and your wheels are halfway into some thick mud, you might not be able to accurately calculate how much force its going to take to get you out. Isn't it better to be safe than sorry with a stronger piece? Or do you feel confident enought to know when a recovery might be too much for your setup and you need to call for help?

 

[Mark S.]

I'm not talking about a towing situation either. If you're going overland, you got to carry everything you need in your car. As mentioned in my second bullet point above, every pound you devote to recovery gear is 1 lb less for payload. An aluminum shackle mount weighs a great deal less than a steel one, taking less weight from payload. Even if all your recovery and travel gear doesn't put you close to your GVWR, a lighter weight vehicle is going to do better off-road than a heavier one. A couple of pounds doesn't sound like much, but save a pound here and there and it adds up.

 

[Dude]

Mark, you'rs is aluminum. Is there any reason in particular you chose not to go with steel?

@gatornek … are you sure where that one is made since you have a concern about Chinese garbage?

These descriptions from the product’s description don’t provide high confidence but then the product says Forged Aircraft Grade Aluminum Alloy so how hard can it be to mess that up.

Made of Forged Aircraft Grade Aluminum Alloy, will never rust or corrosion.

Each MZS product would be tested before factory, so it is safe.

MZS Shackle Hitch Receiver is universal fit for all standard 2" receivers! Do any towing jobs in safe.

 

[gatornek]

@gatornek … are you sure where that one is made since you have a concern about Chinese garbage?

If its on Amazon, its Chinese, but since Mark and I already came to an understanding about Amazon and its products, I rather to just ask him about the decision between aluminum/steel.

 

[AZ_85623]

When my new Badlands arrives in a few months, I will be buying this item.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/weigh-safe-soft-shackle-ring/

1.75″ ring diameter
40,000 lb. breaking strength

 

[Mark S.]

When my new Badlands arrives in a few months, I will be buying this item.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/weigh-safe-soft-shackle-ring/

1.75″ ring diameter
40,000 lb. breaking strength

There you go. You oughta be able to pull your Badlands and about nine others outta the mud with that!