Hitch tow hook or shackel?

DJBassman · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:33 pm

I am going to purchase the uhaul hitch for the back of the kj. I have tow hooks in the front. I seen at 4 wheel parts, that I can get a tow hook or shackel in the hitch receiver. which would be a better choice?

bmg9b · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:40 pm

I have a shackle and I REALLY like it. It has many uses, and since it's a closed circle, ropes and shiz won't slip out of it like a tow hook.

I think Warn makes one that you can pick up at just about any Tractor Supply Co. store. I got mine on the internet, because I'm picky and I wanted a black one to match the Mopar hitch.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:41 pm

if you can slide a pin through your new rear hitch receiver then you can use that as a recovery point on the hitch....but i think the shackle is the better option when using a hitch, IMO, after seeing those in use this weekend they look pretty solid and beefy....

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:42 pm

DJBassman wrote:

I am going to purchase the uhaul hitch for the back of the kj. I have tow hooks in the front. I seen at 4 wheel parts, that I can get a tow hook or shackel in the hitch receiver. which would be a better choice?

Shackle looks cooler. I got mine for $17 from Sportztrailers andale store. It looks like they no longer sell them in the store, but they have them on their eBay store for $18:

http://stores.ebay.com/SPORTZTRAILERS
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-2-RECEIVER-SHACKLE-WITH-3-4-BOLTED-4-3-4-D-RING_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33653QQihZ003QQitemZ130036197742QQtcZphoto

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:45 pm

Shackle is

DJBassman · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:47 pm

Kewl

I guess I got my answer, rather quickly!!

bmg9b · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:49 pm

DJBassman wrote:

8) Kewl

I guess I got my answer, rather quickly!!

That's right, welcome to LOST.

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:13 pm

go with the shackel

broncsrule · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:24 pm

shackle--very easy to use. Strap won' t slide out.

DJBassman · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:09 am

Nice pic AdorindacKJ. Does that hitch attach to the same place as the tank skid?

chetos · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:35 am

DJBassman wrote:

Nice pic AdorindacKJ. Does that hitch attach to the same place as the tank skid?

I say go with the shackle too. It does look and perform better. I think it goes tank skid then hitch and then bolt all into same holes. From what I've heard it's a two person job and kind of a pain.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:44 am

chetos wrote:

DJBassman wrote:

Nice pic AdorindacKJ. Does that hitch attach to the same place as the tank skid?

I say go with the shackle too. It does look and perform better. I think it goes tank skid then hitch and then bolt all into same holes. From what I've heard it's a two person job and kind of a pain.

it can be done with one, and it's not THAT bad, once you have the right tools. Having the right tools is key.

DJBassman · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:10 am

I have the tools. I put on my gas tank skid, yes it was a bit of work. Had my son hold the shid plate while I started the bolts.

The UHAUL one can be done also. I saw the instructions, you take four of the bolts off the tank skid, and then place the hitch and bolt it up with new longer bolts (supplied). The hitch has a larger hole for the two middle bolts that were left. After the four are in and tight, you take the last two off and there is a special washer to cover the hole while putting in the last two new longer bolts. Look pretty easy from what I saw in the instructuins.

kolesy · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:49 pm

DJBassman wrote:

I have the tools. I put on my gas tank skid, yes it was a bit of work. Had my son hold the shid plate while I started the bolts.

The UHAUL one can be done also. I saw the instructions, you take four of the bolts off the tank skid, and then place the hitch and bolt it up with new longer bolts (supplied). The hitch has a larger hole for the two middle bolts that were left. After the four are in and tight, you take the last two off and there is a special washer to cover the hole while putting in the last two new longer bolts. Look pretty easy from what I saw in the instructuins.

Dude that is a hella smart way of doing it! Just a one man job with the use of a floor jack too.

Skipperb · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:27 pm

Northern tool had shackles for 9.00 for a three day sale
we got 4 and just turned the hitch ball mount sideways and drilled
I had said I would get the shackle all together with the ball mount
but have left it this way.

click on pix
worked so far.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:18 pm

I'm going w/ the warn shackle too...just looked at one the other day. They wanted like $45 at TSC...but it just slides into the reciever...it's not just the shackle. Plus they look cool.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:33 pm

I have the same shackle,also if your worried about someone stealing it Walmart has a locking pin with keys & it's made with a protective cover for the key hole to keep out dirt,etc.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:41 pm

raceinfan wrote:

I have the same shackle,also if your worried about someone stealing it Walmart has a locking pin with keys & it's made with a protective cover for the key hole to keep out dirt,etc.

Good idea..

I never thought about anyone stealing it but I'm sure if someones feeling cocky enough to nab it off there can just take it off pretty easily. :roll:

Stupid criminals.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:48 pm

it's more of insurance that it won't get stolen with that pin,it's around $20,glad I could help

AdirondacKJ · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:11 pm

chetos wrote:

DJBassman wrote:

Nice pic AdorindacKJ. Does that hitch attach to the same place as the tank skid?

I say go with the shackle too. It does look and perform better. I think it goes tank skid then hitch and then bolt all into same holes. From what I've heard it's a two person job and kind of a pain.

Thanks for the compliment DJBassman. Yes, the DrawTite uses the skid's holes. Even with a jack, it was a two man job... and we did have the right tools. I suppose you could do it yourself but I wouldn't even attempt it.

Oh... and it was a pain. I have a Magnaflow exhaust and a DrawTite hitch... these two things were not made to co-exist. We had to use a metal grinder on the hitch to clear the exhaust, otherwise the thing rattled like you wouldn't believe... you can see it in these pictures. Shouldn't be a problem with a stock exhaust... but this sucked...

Hitch tow hook or shackel?

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