Soft shackles

Driving, recovery & more
Unkredible
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 134
Joined: 22 Oct 2009 14:41
Full Name: Bruce Williamson
Nickname: Unkredible
Home Town: Rivonia
Current 4x4: '05 Patrol 3.0GL converted to TD42i
Home Language: E
Has thanked: 27 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: Soft shackles

Post by Unkredible »

They were invented to get you to buy more stuff...
2005 Patrol GL ex 3.0d now TD42
285x75x16 MT
40l S/S Nat Luna Beer Fridge, with Draught tap...
Bigger Intercooler, EGT, Boost Gauge
DC-DC Charger
User avatar
Peter Connan
Moderator
Posts: 6011
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 07:21
Full Name: Peter Connan
Nickname: Piet
Home Town: Kempton Park
Current 4x4: 1996 Patrol 4.5SGL
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Kempton Park
Has thanked: 1067 times
Been thanked: 985 times

Re: Soft shackles

Post by Peter Connan »

I freely admit that, despite having been drivinig trails fairly seriously for the last 10 years, I don't have all that much experience with recoveries. Maybe because I hang with the Patrol owners. But I have never seen a bow shackle break. Have seen a couple of ropes snap, and have seen a recovery point bend (fortunately not break).

Has anyone on here ever seen an appropriately-sized bow shackle break during a recovery? Not heard of a friend's uncle's cousin's dog's bow shackle, but actually seen it themselves?
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
Francois Theron
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 97
Joined: 02 May 2009 21:31
Full Name: Francois Theron
Nickname: Francois
Home Town: Robertson
Current 4x4: 2006 Patrol 4.8 GL
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 28 times

Re: Soft shackles

Post by Francois Theron »

Peter Connan wrote: 19 May 2021 13:53 I freely admit that, despite having been drivinig trails fairly seriously for the last 10 years, I don't have all that much experience with recoveries. Maybe because I hang with the Patrol owners. But I have never seen a bow shackle break. Have seen a couple of ropes snap, and have seen a recovery point bend (fortunately not break).

Has anyone on here ever seen an appropriately-sized bow shackle break during a recovery? Not heard of a friend's uncle's cousin's dog's bow shackle, but actually seen it themselves?
I don't think there is any way that an appropriate bow shackle can break during a 4x4 recovery. Too many other things that are weaker.
User avatar
Russ Kellermann
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 1148
Joined: 01 Feb 2010 22:39
Full Name: Russell Kellermann
Nickname: Russell Kellermann
Home Town: Cape Town now, grew up on the Wild Coast.
Current 4x4: 2007 Patrol 4.2D Pickup
2005 Patrol 4.2TD Wagon
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 93 times

Re: Soft shackles

Post by Russ Kellermann »

Agree, the fuse would be the rope, recovery point(s) . I've never seen or heard of one breaking, ever. (not even incorrectly sized units)
'07 Patrol Pickup TD42 N/A,285's KM2,3" Lift,ONCA Bars,Warn High Mount,Alu Canopy, and some other Stuff.
User avatar
Spike
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 212
Joined: 09 Jul 2019 10:22
Full Name: Spike Pretorius
Nickname: Spike
Home Town: Milnerton
Current 4x4: 4.8 GRX 2008 (platkar/daily driver)
Many others, here and abroad.....it's my job
Home Language: Sleg soutpiel
Has thanked: 77 times
Been thanked: 84 times

Re: Soft shackles

Post by Spike »

As with most equipment-related things, most usage is either for training/demonstration or for assisting somebody less skilled/prepared/equipped than yourself. So if you only need to be concerned about your personal needs then you can give Megaworld a wide berth and carry almost nothing in your vehicle.
The main downside to the soft shackle in my view is it's limited lifespan and when things have a lifespan I tend to be a subliminal cheapskate and avoid using it.

Some instances that come to mind where I have used it are on advert shoots for soft-roaders where there is no recovery points or you don't want to damage tupperware. Also connecting two snatch ropes or winch extension ropes, that sort of thing. So for me it's just a convenient Plan B to turn to once in a blue moon, where previously I would have improvised something else. The problem with rare events though is you forget about it and afterwards think oh ja I could have used the soft shackle
:oldtimer:
Sardonic Fattist

Ikigai. Do what you love. Love what you do.
Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of minds to think
Johann K
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 8
Joined: 23 Dec 2021 20:34
Full Name: Johann Kamp
Nickname: JohannK
Home Town: Midrand
Current 4x4: 2009 Patrol PUP 4,2
2015 Hilux Extra Cab
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: Soft shackles

Post by Johann K »

Peter Connan wrote: 19 May 2021 13:53 I freely admit that, despite having been drivinig trails fairly seriously for the last 10 years, I don't have all that much experience with recoveries. Maybe because I hang with the Patrol owners. But I have never seen a bow shackle break. Have seen a couple of ropes snap, and have seen a recovery point bend (fortunately not break).

Has anyone on here ever seen an appropriately-sized bow shackle break during a recovery? Not heard of a friend's uncle's cousin's dog's bow shackle, but actually seen it themselves?
I have never seen n bow shackle break.
They bend slightly but never break.
Only used a Jeep Owners soft shackle once to get him out of the mud, after he got stuck after trying to recover a Fire department Land Cruiser - With his winch fitted - but never connected. :rolling: trying to address a fire in a swampy area. I just drove past with no recovery gear on the Patrol.
Post Reply

Return to “26. Techniques”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests