Recovery points

[CRGR]

Recovery hooks on the frame (front and back) or d-rings mounted to bumper? Either one better than the other or does it make a difference? My opinion is hooks as I can't stand the clanking of the rings against the bumper but that's just me. What say you?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Recovery hooks front and rear are easier to do right, few D-ring attach points are properly implemented (which usually means being through-welded) to be strong enough.

I have both hooks and D-rings and never leave my shackles in place once I'm done using them. They can get stolen if you leave them on, not to mention they clang and bang when you're offroad. They only won't clang and bang when cruising the highway or mall.

 

[fljeeper]

I thought that I would hear some clanking if I left my shackles on the bumpers, but I have yet to hear anything. I have front and rear Rusty's bumpers and they are both beveled towards the Jeep below the shackle attachment point. I do use a length of small gauge electrical wire to secure the shackle pin to the shackle. I hand twist it on. This is easily removed by hand when you need to use the shackles. I have had to pull several stuck Jeeps out in the last few months and the bumpers and shackles have made it easier. The advantage of a shackle over a hook is the pull strap won't fall off when tension is relieved. Sometimes when you are pulling a stuck vehicle you go from tension to slack several times before the vehicle is free.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Florida is so flat I wouldn't be surprised your shackles don't clang & bang.

 

[Ted]

I leave them on. But I got isolators to stop the noise. It is a lot easier leaving them that trying to put them on under a foot of mud

 

[Jerry Bransford]

It is a lot easier leaving them that trying to put them on under a foot of mud

How do you attach the strap to the shackle if you aren't removing it since it's under a foot of mud?

 

[teejay]

How do you attach the strap to the shackle if you aren't removing it since it's under a foot of mud?

by being smart enough to have the shackle and strap already attached and taped to your bonnet before you plunge your pride and joy waist deep into a bog hole hehe

i have both on my front end too, works well.

hooks i just use for quick tow, snatch or what ever when just rolling on the trails and hitting obstacles or on the flat.

bar mount bow shackles i use for a serious recovery, say when i have my trailer on, which is pretty much all the time or when winching either with my own winch or from another rig in an awkward way like from a different angle using a winch block etc etc.

for rear recovery on the TJ i use the standard square tow hitch with the receiver insert that enables you connect a bow shackle and snatch or winch from there, same connection on rear of trailer so it can be used there as well.

both setups have there place, hooks for quick light and easy recoveries but IMO hooks should never be trusted for serious recoveries as i have seen these fail more than once.

 

[Kyle_W]

I look at it this way: they both work, but shackles are safer and you don't have to worry about your line slipping out of a hook.

With that being said, if you have no aftermarket bumpers, its easier to just slap some tow hooks onto your frame.

However, If you have an aftermarket bumper with shackle points welded through the body of the bumper (constructed correctly), then stick to shackles because there's no reason to use tow hooks!

 

[Ted]

How do you attach the strap to the shackle if you aren't removing it since it's under a foot of mud?

Im going to have to reach inthe mud. But to put one in under the mud is going to be hard. Reach down and hook up the hook