Last week I posted this blog which can be seen as a hot potato. I hope that you read the full post and were able to form an educated opinion on the use of the Hitch pin during a recovery. If you want to check the blog out go to http://madmatt4wd.com.au/mad-matt-blogs/
As I mention in my blog I hear about shearing and bent hitch pins but have personally never seen one, even after a Google image search. I honestly thought I would get a fair few pictures of bent and sheared hitch pins sent my way, considering we all have cameras but alas not a single picture, once again just stories. So to learn a bit more on your thoughts i have set up a Poll at the end of this page.
Eye Candy
But for now I choose to stand by my original Blog that to use a hitch pin is an acceptable, safe recovery tool although not the safest. The worst story posted on Facebook was that of 2 vehicles that ended up bogged with 2 bent pins and a taught snatch strap between them. My response to that is, whats unsafe about that situation? Nothing, yes it’s a pain for the vehicles and they may have had to cut the snatch strap, but no one got hurt which is what safety is about. If your interested in reading the responses go to my Facebook page, there’s some good thoughts posted by others for your consideration. Until I receive evidence of a sheared hitch pin feel free to continue using that method until you can afford to upgrade to a hitch receiver with rated bow shackle for your recoveries.
I’m MadMatt stay safe on the trails.
As you mention, the sharp edges are the main concern with a properly fitted and properly made towbar (where the hidden danger really lies in cheaply made towbars). Some hitch pins are located deeper into the bar giving more chance to cutting the strap. As for missiles, it would only be the strap itself being flung back, which can do panel damage or smash a back windscreen. Those recovery hitches with the rated bow shackles would be the perfect implement for snatch recoveries. I also have a pintle hook but there is always only four bolts that attach it to the vehicle and one worries about the damage one of those could do to the stuck vehicle should they come adrift. Never seen it, but up to a dozen bolts in different directions on a Kaymar bar….., no contest in safety there. As for sheared pins, I’d like to see photos.
good comments Frazer, 4 M10 HT bolts for the Pintle would mean 40mm of HT steel has to fail I think we are safe. As for cheap or home made bars well we can only try and educate people to the dangers. I never got one picture of a sheared or bent pin so I call Myth. MadMatt.