Do I need this on the tow bar

[zook123]

Are those shackles actually tested and rated? Being only 12mm diameter I would not trust it for anything but a very light recovery. Considering rated 3.25T shackles usually have a 18+mm pin I highly doubt those can handle 4T. Personally I will only use tested and rated shackles with the correct markings for recovery, I have seen what can happen when recovery gear and points fail and it can be fatal.

Do they carry any of these markings?
https://www.prolyte.com/en/prolyte-camp ... g-shackles

http://www.electricwinchshop.co.uk/3-25 ... ackle.html

Haha, my screwfix shackles worked fine last week!

[ScottieJ]

Are those shackles actually tested and rated? Being only 12mm diameter I would not trust it for anything but a very light recovery. Considering rated 3.25T shackles usually have a 18+mm pin I highly doubt those can handle 4T. Personally I will only use tested and rated shackles with the correct markings for recovery, I have seen what can happen when recovery gear and points fail and it can be fatal.

Do they carry any of these markings?
https://www.prolyte.com/en/prolyte-camp ... g-shackles

http://www.electricwinchshop.co.uk/3-25 ... ackle.html

Haha, my screwfix shackles worked fine last week!

I'll just leave this here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPIeqh7guWs

[SherwoodNash]

I didn't click on that link bit I'd guess it's probably one of those Russian ones where the towball or shackle fails and goes through a windscreen or someones head?

Probably some real grizzly ones on rotten.com

[turbo-tom]

Twiss few years back showed me a film about a winch cable snapping the wire ones and i know its hyped up abit as its a film but it was still pretty nasty to see what could potentially happen!

[twiss]

and thats why i prefer tow straps with loops on both ends!
no hooks to come flying through the damn window! towbar to towbar is pretty safe that way.

In that video they seem to be using equipment that is very obviously under-rated with big heavy trucks...
I have actually towed my zook with (literal) string before lol

.... and as for winch cables thats why you put a heavy winch blanket over, to try and drop it to the floor if it snaps, instead of cutting your legs off

[twiss]

and then there is this LOL


Click Here for Youtube Video

[ScottieJ]

Tow balls can fail in snatches as well, just google tow ball snatch fail and you'll see a number of videos.

[twiss]

Yeah not the best option but probably better than the stock recovery eye or a £1 ebay d-shackle

[zook123]

Yeah, there's few out there, i'd never want to be snatch recovered at all, I hope never to get into the situation, i'd loose the front off the Jimny

Saying that, I fitted my tow bar yesterday!

[ScottieJ]

A snatch recovery done properly is one of the best recovery techniques there is, sometimes it is needed and if done properly can put less strain on your recovery points than the incorrect use of a normal rope or strap.

If you want to take a 4x4 offroad at all then it needs to have adequate front and rear recovery points and you need to have recovery gear that is up to the job.

Everyone gets stuck and if you don't have the correct recovery gear in and on your 4x4 then you are putting yourself, others and your vehicle at risk.