In the market for my first recovery strap (or kit?)

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MtnMantologist

MtnMantologist

Joined
Jun 30, 2017
Threads
18
Messages
84
Location
Arlington, VA
Hey everyone - my partner and I are taking a trip to the Outer Banks and staying in one of those houses with only 4wd beach access. Looking forward to driving on sand for the first time but also thinking now would be a good time to buy a recovery strap to keep in the 100 series.

I've attached pictures of the recovery points I can find on the front/back of the LC. I assume these are designed as recovery points and can be used for pulling/getting pulled out of jams? I saw a video out of Australia that showed some points on the truck as being for shipping stability and not strong enough of recovery but these loops are much beefier. I've also seen people use the hitch receiver by using the receiver pin to keep the strap in place.

Given this set up, do I need shackles to attach the straps? It seems like these hooks are designed to just have the strap loop over them and adding shackles would only add an unnecessary metal projectile to the end of the strap in case something went wrong. Alternatively, I worry about the clearance between the "recovery hooks" and the bumper. It seems to me if I were stuck down in a ditch and had to attach the strap to these hooks and get pulled by someone at a higher elevation the strap would put enormous pressure on the bumper. In that case perhaps a shackle would lower the attachment point of the strap enough to give the bumper some extra clearance (I hope this description make sense). On the third hand, those hooks aren't closed loops so you wouldn't really be attaching the shackle to the car as much as hook it on the loop where it could easily pop off.

Any and all advice on recovery gear is welcome. I was looking at the ARB Weekender Recovery Kit (https://www.amazon.com/ARB-RK12-Weekender-Recovery-Kit/dp/B073RRZFQG/?tag=ihco-20) but would be just as happy buying just the strap (and maybe a spare shackle in case the other truck involved needs one) instead of a full kit like this. Thanks in advance!

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I too am going to the Outer Banks - in Sept. And plan on driving on the Beach.
I purchased a recovery strap from Harbor Freight.
Still need to source an Air Pump to reinflate my tires when I get off the sand.
Not sure what else I need to purchase for driving on the beach.
 
I am a firm believer in using good shackles to secure recovery straps to your vehicle.

For the front, you will want real shackle mounts. The OE hardware isn't suitable for using a shackle. Trail Tailor makes some slick shackle mounts. I do not have experience with them since they came out after I purchased my shackle mounts.
Soft Shackle Tow Points - 60 80 100 Series

For the rear, a 2" hitch shackle mount provides a good recovery point. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/USA-Receiver-Accessories-Rhino-Receivers/dp/B06WLMF23C/?tag=ihco-20
 
None of the hooks/eyes are really suitable for recovery points on the front or back of a 100 Series. The 2 eye loops front and rear are just tie-downs for transport. The hooks can work, but they are an "open" system and about as unsafe as you can get. I would recommend replacing the front 2 eyes with true recovery points from Trail Tailor (Soft Shackle Tow Points - 60 80 100 Series). For the rear, just run a shackle block into the receiver. Here's what I use for recovery....inexpensive and very effective...

Shackle and 30' Tow Strap kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KFP7G1/?tag=ihco-20

Rear Shackle Hitch Receiver: https://www.amazon.com/USA-Receiver-Accessories-Rhino-Receivers/dp/B06WLMF23C/?tag=ihco-20

Get some $5 leather work gloves from Home Depot and you're all set for less than the partial ARB Weekender Kit.
 
A strap is only useful if you've got someone there to help pull you out.

Have you considered a set of MaxxTraxx? Those would allow you to self recover instead of waiting for someone else to help you out.

Additionally, tire deflators for airing down and an air compressor to air back up when you're done are items to consider.
 
geanes, so if I'm understanding you correctly I would be replacing the loops I've highlighted in yellow below? Do they just unbolt and then you bolt in the new recovery points using the same bolts? I guess that means the place its attaching on the LC isn't at fault, the metal of the OEM loops is just too thin?

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MtnMantologist said:
geanes, so if I'm understanding you correctly I would be replacing the loops I've highlighted in yellow below? Do they just unbolt and then you bolt in the new recovery points using the same bolts? I guess that means the place its attaching on the LC isn't at fault, the metal of the OEM loops is just too thin?

View attachment 1752168
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Yup, straight up replacement. The OEM are too THIN for sure and the bolts aren't Grade8 (more like Grade5). Super easy swap out.

The hook is a recovery point, but it's an "open" system. That means that unless you keep constant tension on the line, it could "slip" and only partially engage. That leads to a very bad situation for anyone around the line and the vehicle that's pulling you out as that line (cable or rope) would fly off at insane speed along with the shackle. Bodily injury and/or vehicle damage would occur.
 
geanes said:
Yup, straight up replacement. The OEM are too THIN for sure and the bolts aren't Grade8 (more like Grade5). Super easy swap out.

The hook is a recovery point, but it's an "open" system. That means that unless you keep constant tension on the line, it could "slip" and only partially engage. That leads to a very bad situation for anyone around the line and the vehicle that's pulling you out as that line (cable or rope) would fly off at insane speed along with the shackle. Bodily injury and/or vehicle damage would occur.
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Gotcha. That makes sense. And replacing both OEM loops is important so you have both sides available for recovery (not knowing what sort of situation you'll find yourself in)? Is that right? The Trail Tailor shackle mounts you've linked above don't mention bolts being included. It doesn't sound like the OEM bolts are ideal, where should I look for replacement bolts? (And thanks very much for you help - I intend to do more driving in the San Juans so recovery gear is something I should have already. I also want the ability to be a good samaritan come winter!)
 
MtnMantologist said:
Gotcha. That makes sense. And replacing both OEM loops is important so you have both sides available for recovery (not knowing what sort of situation you'll find yourself in)? Is that right? The Trail Tailor shackle mounts you've linked above don't mention bolts being included. It doesn't sound like the OEM bolts are ideal, where should I look for replacement bolts? (And thanks very much for you help - I intend to do more driving in the San Juans so recovery gear is something I should have already. I also want the ability to be a good samaritan come winter!)
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I replaced the factory bolts with Class 10.9 (metric equivalent to Grade 8).
 
you can use a hitch receiver shackle like this
https://www.amazon.com/Shackle-Receiver-H-Zonealph-Perfect-Accessories/dp/B074NSWBVL/?tag=ihco-20
i like it since it can go in different orientations.

I also have this kit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00426HZXS/?tag=ihco-20
but I may be changing some parts out.

I'm also using Mark 4WD recovery points

if solo recovery I'm using these guys too and they've worked as an alternative to maxxtraxx
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AV2HONS/?tag=ihco-20
 
MtnMantologist said:
Did you have to replace your OEM bolts with longer bolts to accommodate the extra thickness of the after market shackle mounts?
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I replaced the OEM bolts so I had a higher rated bolt holding the shackle mount (and a winch plate) to the frame. I do not recall the length of the bolts :doh:
 
I got a set of those recovery points previously linked,

They are beefy as all get out!

Remove your existing hardware and head to a bolt place, take your old hardware top and show them how long your new bolts need to be.

I believe they may come with longer bolts now, I can’t remember.

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....you can order the bolts as well from @reevesci, Trail Tailor, getting ready to call them now.
 
Greenbean said:
I got a set of those recovery points previously linked,

They are beefy as all get out!

Remove your existing hardware and head to a bolt place, take your old hardware top and show them how long your new bolts need to be.

I believe they may come with longer bolts now, I can’t remember.

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New design offers users the option to use steel or soft shackles with the chamfered eye now.

J
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I don’t have any soft shackles but if/when can I take a dremel and about an hours worth of time to mine?
 
TRAIL TAILOR said:
Bolts are M14 x 1.5 x 45mm or longer Grade 10.9 (or 12.9) for those that want to source your own. Or I have them as well.

Jason
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hey @reevesci, I'm looking at your website and the 100 series bolts are listed as M14 x 1.5 x 40mm (instead of the x 45mm you've listed above). Can you confirm the proper length of bolt to use with your beefed up 100 series tow points? I'm happy to order the bolts from you as well instead of finding them somewhere else. Thanks!
 
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