Hitch shackle

So Im looking to get one of these to have a good recovery option for the rear.



But I’ve noticed the 4runner hitch is not very deep, as the retention pin is only a couple of inches from the back opening. A lot of the Amazon options have 4-7 inches extending past the pin hole.

Anybody know where I can find a “shorty” that doesnt extend too far past the end of the receiver?

 

The one pictured here looks pretty similar to mine, except mine is all black. I think I got it at Menards or Farm and Fleet.

 

Look at the agency one it’s the same price and higher quality

 

Here's how mine looks like. I keep the D-ring in my recovery gear box.

 

Why don’t you want it sticking out the back? That’s the whole point.

And the hitch receiver can handle several thousand pounds. It’s not fragile.

 

I’d prefer the shackle to be sticking out as little as possible. What is the point of it sticking out 5 inches if I can find one that sticks out 2inches. If it sticks out too much, i’d end up dragging it on sharp inclines etc.

This one looks nice and tidy. Thanks for the picture

 

I think the whole point people seem to be missing is that you’re not supposed to be leaving it in until you get stuck, because you’re gonna have to unscrew the D ring anyway.

 

I have a tendency to leave mine in if I'm with a group. Mine doesn't stick out far, so I'm not concerned about clearance.

 

I leave mine in. I like the way it looks, and it protects the bumper from cars that want to park too close.

 

I hit the spare tire before I hit anything sticking out of the hitch receiver.

But I use my D shackle for pulling out yard tractors and ATVs, so I usually leave it in.

 

I was hitting my spare a lot so I moved it. Aside from keeping the spare nicer, it's nice to see the rear axle when you look at the back of the truck.

 

Just use the hitch pin. Pop it out, thrust (heh) in the loop of the strap into the receiver, reinsert the hitch pin. Yank accordingly. Works fine, it's free (or at least cheap), and it's realllllllly flush for the guy that doesn't want his nub dragging in the dirt.

 

But, if I don't drive around with a shackle hanging out of my trailer hitch, how will everyone know that I wheel?

Kidding aside, I do like having the hitch shackle. I would be paranoid about the pin bending, or the strap getting cut on the edge of the receiver. And, if I were being winched backwards, the shackle is easy to hook to a snatch block.

 

I guess the snatch block makes sense. I've only ever used the receiver to recover other people so I didn't consider that.

 

That might result in fraying of the strap, may or may not.

 

During my first misadventure that required my friend to recover me, I didnt have a shackle or a pin. Actually ended up putting the strap through the receiver and looping it through. Some fraying did occur unfortunately.

I’m intending to run with the hitch shackle installed, at least when I am in an off road situation. One less thing to have to get out of the truck when it might be tilted or sunk to varying degrees.

 

$31 Driver Recovery Products 2" Shackle Hitch Receiver with 5/8" Hitch Pin - 5-Ton (10000 Pound) Towing Capacity Accessory with 3/4" D-Ring

https://www.amazon.com/Driver-Recov...t=&hvlocphy=9033027&hvtargid=pla-569979709919

I just bought this one for my pickup. It sits pretty deep in the receiver

 

I'd consider another option. That isn't exactly safe. Sheer strength is different than a bending type force. Compromising safety for looks is just mind blowing. Recovery is no joke. I don't even like using the hitch but... So I go overkill on everything else.

Personally, after getting pulled out a few weeks ago in CO, and having kids either in the car or around the action, I'm going to upgrade to the Factor55 hitch as my hollow hitch receiver didn't leave me feeling satisfied. The thought of something flying off and striking someone is just far too nerve wracking. I splurged for some Crosby G203A (a for alloy) shackles a long time ago. They have a 7 ton WLL as opposed to 4.5 for the carbon steel. They were $42 each though. But what's an extra 10 bucks?

OP I'd check out the Factor55, they aren't that much more, WAAAAY stronger and look WAY cooler poking out of the receiver...

 

I'm no physicist but they all use the hitch pin to secure them to the receiver so I guess I'm not visualizing what the difference is... except if you only use the hitch pin you are removing at least one extra point of potential failure.

 

https://youtu.be/i9SJbCCoACg

It’s how the load is applied and it matters a lot. Video explains a bit. I’ll find one on bending force if I can.

 

Are you referencing the bolts that hold the receiver to the subframe here or the hitch pin itself?

 

The pin itself. When the pin in the hitch receiver the pin is subjected to double shear. Without the receiver, the pin is subjected to bending forces, and thus potentially much weaker. The load is basically in the middle, and acts as a lever of sorts on the contact points. In a double shear the load is split evenly in a much stronger configuration. As described in the video.

If you look at a standard door hinge, it’s pin is in a triple shear. Just a neat visual. Imagine trying to break said pin in three spots as opposed to two. Another example is a strong man bending rebar. He can bend it because he can leverage its length. But he could never shear it by pulling one side while pushing the other with his hands touching.

 

Also the bolts holding the tow hitch to the frame are also being stressed in shear. And there are a lot of bolts. Big risk with recovery using a tow hitch is bending the frame.

 

I leave it out for edd, stored in the back with all the other recovery/tire/co2/off road gear, and plop it in, when getting frisky. In fact when i take the nieces out, one of their jobs, besides airing down, is to put it in. Easy peasy...

 

Good info, thanks JR7.

 

Thanks. Sharing info without sounding like a dick is hard. But these things are learned over years of being in places like this. I barely remember being 15 and starting to work on cars and not knowing stuff. Learning by watching. No YouTube no forums no internet. It took forever. At 45 I’m still learning but it’s a lot easier because of this place and others like it.

LS1.com
Miata.net
Tacomaworld
And now here. Fun times.

 

Yes, thank you for the info. So I was under the truck today with the spare removed and noticed the hitch seems to be attached only to the rear crossmember. Did I see things right? I thought it would have been a hitch that wrapped around to each frame rail.

Regardless, im sure that if the hitch receiver is only tied only to the crossmember, it would be designed as plenty strong for towing. Buuut, it does make me wonder about yanking on it in recovery situations.

Are there better solutions for rear recovery that dont involve a buying an steel aftermarket bumper with recovery points? Am I overcomplicating things?

 

I would bet the the rear crossmember is as strong as any aftermarket hitch, if not stronger. I have been pulled backward with a Bubba Rope attached to the hitch shackle and it was fine. I'm sure there have been hundreds or thousands of similar recoveries as well. If damage to the rear hitch were a common result, there would be some threads about it.

 

Agreed with the above statement about damage. It’s rare. Best practice is pull in line with the hitch. Most people do, because it makes sense to pull someone out the way they got in.

A rear bumper with proper recovery points is preferred and more versatile.

 

Sure looks pretty...

It came with a little certificate of testing too. Still need to get a nice pin.

I’m pretty sure people will know I wheel now . Lol