D-Rings, Who makes the best?
- Thread starter Timbo FJ45
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Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
For shackles, I use one of the few dozen Mil-surplus ones I picked up years ago. Most of my buddies are using them too as they slowly migrate into other peoples gear backs. Don't know the rating, but I am sure it is well over any load we are subjecting them too.
As for D rings. I use whatever it is that the local OTR and trailer supply store down the road has in stock. I have never seen one of my or anyone else's D ring fail. Seen some poorly welded ones come loose at the weld, but that is\was the fault of the lack of welding skill.
Of course if they were wrapped in fancy packaging they would be better I am sure.
Mark...
As for D rings. I use whatever it is that the local OTR and trailer supply store down the road has in stock. I have never seen one of my or anyone else's D ring fail. Seen some poorly welded ones come loose at the weld, but that is\was the fault of the lack of welding skill.
Of course if they were wrapped in fancy packaging they would be better I am sure.
Mark...
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Now Mace... don't go bringing the real world in here like that.
Mark...
Mark...
DanS HJ-45
SILVER Star
I'm sort of hijacking the thread almost, since I'm guessing you've already found some at this point.
If not, head to IMSCO during your lunch hour. You will thank me later.
Easily the coolest "store" I have ever been to, and it's not more than a mile or two from the Sackwear office.I use whatever though, haven't seen a broken shackle from wheeling yet.
Dan
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I have not but I buy USA made ones just because that's what I try to do with most purchases other than my actual truck
- Joined
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CM's will be on sale at Fastenal starting Oct 1.
The only brand I see at the heavy industrial job sites I work at is CROSBY. You can't go wrong with this brand.
I have seen bent chinese shackles but they were overloaded. It seems those companies who use unrated rigging also don't worry about ratings. Whereas the companies that use rated gear also adhere to the limits, which is why I feel that I've seen broken non-brand rigging.
Chris
I have seen bent chinese shackles but they were overloaded. It seems those companies who use unrated rigging also don't worry about ratings. Whereas the companies that use rated gear also adhere to the limits, which is why I feel that I've seen broken non-brand rigging.
Chris
So you are saying that if you overload the crap out of a Chinese D-ring it will bend..
Is that really surprising?
Personally I have never first hand seen any D-Ring fail, made in any part of the world.. Regardless I still prefer Viking Off-Road for all my recovery equipment.
Been very happy with my Green pin shackles.
Is it possible to be unhappy with a shackle (assuming it doesn't break). It's two pieces of metal. One piece screws into the other. Not much to be happy or unhappy about IMO.
I just like the color and all the expo experts say they are good. Im nothing but a mindless follower.....
I can get a 3/4" no name made is china shackle for $5 at princess auto (habour freight to the yanks). Or I can spend spend a few $$ more for a made in Holland Van Beest that has been fully tested and certified. We/most spend big money on good quality parts, usually spending more on quality parts. To save a few dollars on shackles something that you really do not want to fail saving a few dollars seems silly. Will one of the made is China ones fail? Probably not. Will a certified fully tested and hight quality Van Beest? Nope, not the way we use them. Its simple and cheap pice of mind.
Put a cheap china one next to a quality shackle and you can see and feel the difference in build quality. My china ones now hold down the counter in my shop, and stay out of my recover bag.
I run some quality ones as well (I think they came from Fastenal?), but I ran the cheap ones for years. I've never seen one fail, or even bend. Most of the people I run with use the cheap ones.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Yep, I was thinking exactly the same thing. All a shackle has to do is not fail. Happy or unhappy really has never figured into my relationship with a shackle.
I am as anti-china as it comes when you start talking about buying from them. I have been tossing around the term "CCC' (Cheap Chinese Crap) for years.
And the day I hear that off brand shackles are failing when they should not, then I will jump on the "buy the high priced stuff with the brag about it marketing" bandwagon.
Has not happened over the last 30 years though...
Mark...
For now, I'll continue buying what the local commercial truck supply store has on the shelf or the mil-surplus stuff I picked up years ago.
FJ40-GARAGE
I`ll be back....
Its possible to decide not to buy some cheap ones, i went to a event where they had a booth selling the cheapest i have ever seen, taking a close look and trying to get the screw out showed that they must have been made by animals.
Three out of ten were complete crap and more than just hard to turn.
I get old army stuff, they are approved and make me feel better somehow.
Just a hint that most of you might know anyway, never tighten that bolt fully or you might need pliers to open it again, turn it to the end and then a half turn back open again.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
I have never seen a cheap shackle break. I used the cheaper Chinese shackles in the past without a problem.
Busting metal recovery gear is not something I want to ever mess with. I have seen bent shackles from load testing. This happens often well before they break.
Southeast Overland sells Van Beest Green Pin shackles for around $20 ea. We carry 4 in our recovery bag. If anyone wants any we can offer pretty good shipping on multiple units ordered, and would even be happy to extend a discount.
Busting metal recovery gear is not something I want to ever mess with. I have seen bent shackles from load testing. This happens often well before they break.
Southeast Overland sells Van Beest Green Pin shackles for around $20 ea. We carry 4 in our recovery bag. If anyone wants any we can offer pretty good shipping on multiple units ordered, and would even be happy to extend a discount.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
I actually take a different approach here... I always have a Leatherman or similar tool on my belt and I always snug the shackles down more than finger tight. ESPECIALLY if you are leaving the shackle attached to the bumper as you drive down the trail or road... you DO want to tighten it up, more than finger tight... use pliers to snug it down or it will vibrate loose and fall off. I have actually picked up three that I watched fall off and go bouncing away while following buddies down the highway on the way home from the trails. Eventually I got them all to listen on this count and I lost my source of free shackles.
And I agree, I would never use a unit that I could actually detect low qualaity workmanship/materials/whatever. To be honest I think that all of my shackles are the mil-surplus stuff other than random pieces that have found their way into my gear just through the inevitable mixing of stuff when you have groups out on the trails.
Mark...
