Should you use a hitch pin as a 4x4 recovery device? Is it a YES or NO answer?

4x4 recovery is always improving and we’re all learning which is a good thing. In this video we discuss the use of a hitch pin as a primary recovery connection point. Should we do that? What is the latest thinking on this. The use of the correct tool for the job will always end up with the best result.
If you're interested in signing up for my upcoming online 4wd training course click this link to register your interest and I will email you FREE and exclusive 4x4 training videos www.4x4online.org/register
A question was asked in the comments
If the pin bends at 9t and the receiver is rated at 9500lbs (4.3) isn’t the reciever under rated?
Here’s the answer from Factor55.
The 2” hitch itself is rated for 9500 lbs. that’s the max load. That’s why the 2” HitchLinks, all of them have 9500 lbs machined into them. Our parts have not seen yielding in testing until just before breaking. What’s this mean? Every other item you have attached to the HitchLink and pin will fail before either of those do.
Standard duty soft shackle - 39K
Tow Strap- 31K
KERR- 29K
HitchLink 2.0 - 51K
Hitch pins- 50+K
The entire off-road industry functions off break strength not WLL. 3/8 Synthetic rope breaks between 18-22K so a 5:1 means it’s WLL is only 4.4K on a 12K winch?
It’s about quality of materials and validation through testing.
Does an Air Damper make a 4x4 Snatch Recovery safer?
• Does an Air Damper mak...
Robert Peppers KZbin Channel / l2sfbcrobertpepperauto...
Here at MadMatt 4wd there is everything from 4wd tips and tricks to fixing your four wheel drive. As a professional Four Wheel Driver I am all about educating and building the 4x4 community. If you are passionate about going bush with a 4x4 then this channel is for you. Enjoy and please subscribe & Hit the bell icon to be notified as soon as they're up!!!
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#4x4 #recovery #4x4recovery

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’m passionate about helping the 4wd community and I'm developing an online course so i can help as many people as I can to get out there and wheel well on their 4wd adventures. To register your interest and for free and exclusive training videos visit madmatt4wd.com.au/register

[@miznitic5574]

I would love to hear your analysis on hitch mounted winches.

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@miznitic5574 Hey. So long as the winch mount is designed correctly they have their place. But for the most part, I don't think they're a worthwhile solution. They definitely can work and be safe.

[@harrywalker968]

yes me.. ive asked this Q, & had no A.. my Q, is, what, is the shear kg of a hitch pin. seeing you can tow 4t, its the pin taking the strain, not the hitch.. what material are they made from, various, will they shear, or bend. the clevis, might hold 5t, but the chain is fixed to a 5mm pin. so the pin, has to hold 20t, 4 times strain.. ronny dahl, had to cut a tow ball half way thru, before it gave.. pins need to be rated, the same as balls, shackles ect. its the pin.. @@MadMatt4WD

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@harrywalker968 There's lots to consider here. 1st the tow hitch has no rating for a recovery as it's designed to tow. So everything we're doing is unrated and at best could be considered best practice. The loads subjected when towing are actually quite low. To tow 4T you do not need 4T of lifting capacity. Just think you can push a small car but you can't lift one. The hitch pin is in a double shear which significantly increases it's strength but again there is no rating on it.

[@dbadventures9869]

One of the first things anyone ever buys for their 4WD is a nice shovel to proudly strap to the roof rack to make it look like a serious adventure machine. It is also the one piece of recovery equipment that I rarely see being used. Taking as much of the load out of the situation as you can by digging the restrictions out from under the 4WD, can be the difference between a deadly snatch and a simple tow out of a hole.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Totally agree. I did a video the other day showing getting unbogged with just a shovel.

[@streammlock09]

@@MadMatt4WD link?

[@keithhaycraft3765]

I agree with @badadventures. I have saved a lot of recovery effort by using a shovel, it is especially useful in soft sand. On top of that, it is super handy around the fire.

[@ike8236]

Something that always gets used when you're alone but when you get to camp it's the first thing off the roof ready for a fire or bog hole.

[@luigismushrooms5701]

Mine folds and sits in the back, use it every time I'm stuck pretty much... I find those plastic boards people carry to be far more obnoxious.

[@bobvedder2451]

I use a grade eight bolt holding my hitch in. It will be a hassle to remove the ball hitch and change it to a pintle type. But i change it during winter since i don't pull a trailer in the winter, but the pintle is good to attach a tow strap to.

[@cyclemoto8744]

Have always wondered about the integrity or a hitch pin if used as part of a recovery system. Your explanation is so logical that it left me wondering why I hadn't found the answer myself. Cheers

[@aviatr2000]

Great info! Brilliant!! When I was young and foolish, I took all kinds of dangerous short cuts. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’m thankful when I find safe and proper info like this. Thank you!

[@stevegoodwin5841]

Great presentation. Safety first with a calm, cool and collected thought process is what is needed. I look forward to the hierarchy of recovery. Snatch always last. Shovel first and then the between.

[@bdd1469]

Glad you mentioned DOUBLE SHEAR, as a steel shackle receiver has SHARP EDGES, and IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SHEAR THE PIN THAN ANY ROPE, EVEN BEING A SINGLE SHEAR SET UP....Do as you wish. I've used recovery ropes and pins thousands of times for over 40 years, and never even bent a pin badly enough that it was difficult to remove. If something is going to shear a pin is likely going to be wedged in the hitch, or eject sideways, away from the drivers. I'd rather have a rope that weighs next to nothing flying around than a 15 lb shackle receiver on a rope coming directly towards the drivers heads.

[@MadMatt4WD]

So you had good success with a pin only and a hitch receiver will be stronger and better but you don’t want to use it?

[@petercasasola2432]

Great delivery, on point and concise. Well done.

[@Rc-crawlerbuilder]

Great info, always kind of thought the same thing, good to hear my theory backed up

[@1hdt]

This video will definitely help saving lives and 4wds. Good stuff 👍

[@jackfourbee3609]

You hit the nail on the head. It’s all in the preparation. Sort your gear out and inspect it as part of your service or pre trip inspection. Well informed Matt you are an ambassador to the four-wheel-drive community. Well done keep up the great work 👏👏👏👍

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks Jack

[@stayraddad4638]

This is the exact content we need :) Clearly explained and no short cuts . Thanks again !

[@MadMatt4WD]

Stay rad Dad. 😁 cheers

[@xmo552]

@@MadMatt4WD I was going to mention those Factor55 stuff. I flew out to the 2022 Florida Tow show earlier this year. It's kind of like a SEMA convention for the American tow truck industry. I approached the Factor55 booth and they had some damaged samples of their gear. I asked why they would display such items. They replied by saying to show that this stuff is actually tested and certified correctly. I'm a fan of their stuff now that I know that. And, you're correct if you get stuck, play time is over and you need to look at it as a serious recovery. Don't just wing it, throw a chain on it and yank. Vehicle damage is almost guaranteed but loss of life is very real.

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@xmo552 well said. You can support us by getting gear from our gear store. Cheers

[@Chris8duvenage]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video and explaining it. It is something that I have been wondering about for some time now and there was nothing on this topic that I could find. My thought was always, why carry the extra piece of metal receiver around with you if you could just recover of the pin. Thanks Matt

[@cogentdynamics]

Very clear and no-nonsense explanation of the limitations of connection to the pin alone. Thank you. I have subscribed.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks for the support mate

[@benkanobe7500]

Thanks Matt. As always you are looking out for all of us.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks kindly for recognising that.

[@vaughanscott7308]

Great video man, great point on the double sheer. Thanks for the info 👍 👍

[@gremlingrown4301]

Cheers for making a video on this!

[@allenwurl6245]

Thanks for the video, I asked the question in another video and you replied with a link to this video. I have done this for years and never thought to ask if it was wrong. Thanks again for such an educational video 👍❤️👍

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’m happy to help and love that you’re prepared to learn. We’re all learning.

[@taringaturi6950]

I have used the pin to snatch out few vehicles several times and have had great success. But I agree, using the correct gear is always a must.

[@darrellmendiola3495]

Great teaching on this. Love your channel.

[@no_handle_required]

Excellent information and concept, through and through. Especially the "headspace" idea.

[@Haywoodjablomie100]

Really good video Matt. It's one thing most tutorials don't cover, they generally all show text book situations assuming everything is perfect, the vehicles have all the correct gear, they are on flat ground, perfectly aligned etc. But it doesn't always work out like that, and you often come across stuck ill prepared vehicles in non-textbook situations. So it's good to see someone tackling these scenarios. When i done road crash rescue and 4wd recovery certifications back 25 years ago we done a lot of improvisation techniques, and also had rescue and recovery hierarchy. It's invaluable information, thanks for addressing this topic.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks and I’m glad I’m being part of the solution not part of the problem.

[@DonziGT230]

5:55 The pin bends after exceeding the snatch strap's rating by over a ton; it seems that pulling by the pin is safer than the rest of the video claims. It would be interesting to know how much more it takes to break the pin since a bent pin doesn't create a hazard.

[@DonziGT230]

@@thegunsngloryshow Stainless is often weaker than steel, tho it depends greatly on the type of steel used. Locking pins with the push button release are hollow so they'll be weaker. One could get a tool steel or other high grade steel for the pin.

[@garychandler4296]

Or a grade 8 bolt? 😂

[@DonziGT230]

@@garychandler4296 And if you snug it down with a nut it'll take even more pulling to bend it.

[@karena-keithjensen6662]

As always another quality and very informative video. Thank you I have learned so much from your channel

[@MadMatt4WD]

It’s makes me happy knowing I’m helping

[@daveb7999]

Excellent suggestions, all around! Your discussion makes perfect sense. Thank you for taking the time to do the research and make this video, it's appreciated!

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@etc-and-more]

No matter if you are the person who is recovering the vehicle or are the person in the vehicle that is getting recovered it is important to have the correct gear. As a complete newbie to this I just learned a lot. Subscribed.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yes indeed

[@harrywalker968]

join a club with trainers.. we have 3. s.a. & books, to get signed off.. cowboys with 4x4 stikers, get track closed for being rtrds & dieing..

[@dave8599]

Super advice, excellent presentation and understanding Thank You.

[@jr487]

Thank you for answering my question in such detail. You have convinced me to go out and buy a hitch receiver recovery point

[@MadMatt4WD]

My pleasure. . Head to my gear store at madmatt4wd.com.au

[@davidsumpter1]

If you don’t have respect for what your doing and the dangers involved that’s when you get hurt, that’s when you have failures. Great video

[@Gaston.-]

Very informative. Great content.

[@pradeeppitiyegedera4101]

Great advice with lots of information

[@ryangordon2118]

Fantastic video as always Matt, I love this one especially after commenting on a previous video stating that I had used a pin and kinetic strap in a recovery before 👌 Will definitely make sure that the correct equipment stays in the vehicle maybe in with the jack or something 👍

[@MadMatt4WD]

Great stuff mate. Glad to help

[@olliehopnoodle4628]

Thanks Matt. I have been using that pin way more often that I should. I have one of those Factor 55 hitch attachments, that's what I will always use from now on for any kinetic recovery. I also agree with your suggestion to increase the attempt force a bit at a time.

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’m pleased I could help you

[@furyfrewy25]

Great video Matt!!!

[@heathwalker7981]

Awesome video mate always good to watch you

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad you enjoyed

[@powerhorsea1a376]

Excellent informative video! 👍

[@gldsmith61]

You may have just saved a life. Thank you for vid's like this, the info need's to get out there. I don't know why I have not seen any of you vid's, but after I saw this one I knew I had to subscribe.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks mate. KZbin is a bit odd in how it shows videos but I’ve got lots of content along these lines. Thanks for the sub.

[@heftymerv]

facts always win, great episode on something so important in recovery

[@BOK_Q400]

Good on you Matt. You've probably saved at minimum one person's life with this video so kudos to you.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks mate. Just doing what I can to help

[@digitalbilly]

great video, im glad i got a proper recovery points

[@jarrodlethborg7942]

The "change of attitude" is a great point. I wish everyone took the time to watch your recovery videos before they start wheeling. I'm so glad that I did. Thanks for what you do.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks kindly

[@rayss3323]

Great info! We started wheelin in the early 70s and didnt have this kind of info. We are truly lucky to be alive today.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Right on!

[@harrywalker968]

70,s, no info, no internet, no gear, no warries.. mates, adults, pulling a car out of salt pan, guy holding cable, for some reason, cable snapped, went sideways, lucky..

[@brianchristenson6055]

I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@PapaRug.58]

The key to keeping gear/kit in top condition is to clean and inspect it regularly especially after a hard pull or recovery keep it out of sun and elements

[@josephtucciarone6878]

I wanted to cheap out, but having had some engineering training, your excellent explanation sold me. I'll buy the correct Shackle Hitch Receiver. Thank you for your wise guidance.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thank you for being willing to learn. We all have to grow.

[@rich7447]

I had the same issue with wanting to be cheap. Especially since I have 3 different receiver sizes (2", 2.5" and 3"). It ended up costing me $350 to get all three from Factor55.

[@harrywalker968]

its still the shear kg of the pin. your hitch is good for say 5t, what is the pin good for.. being an engin neer.. you should know the shear of different steels, or if chinese, plastic..

[@Badgertronix]

Some good points. Thanks

[@kenmuggli4613]

Thanks Mate, you and Robert Pepper do excellent work, I appreciate what you do.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Much appreciated thanks for saying so.

[@louiep9862]

I learned something today,thank you for posting this video.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobvincent4841]

Excellent video and potentially life saving info.

[@nordic5490]

Great video - subbed

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jc7654]

good job Matt 👌👍

[@briankayaker1]

Really high quality information well presented 🙏🏼

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ian9toes]

I used the pin a few times without drama, but that was only in a 2wd VW Transporter that doesn’t take much to get bogged and with a hand winch. I also filled the edges of the inside of the hitch receiver. But I never considered the radius of the bend of the tow rope on the pin.

[@masstag1]

Thank you for this video 👍🏽

[@MadMatt4WD]

My pleasure!

[@frankhage1734]

Very informative video. I've revamped my own kit for recovery. For me, it's usually a winter, snow situation. It's not hard nor expensive to get prepared to do something potentially dangerous. It does take a certain mindset to go home home without trauma. Always try to imagine the worst outcome. A flying tow hitch toward the windshield is the nightmare scenario.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Great comment

[@jfloydsea]

Great info. I’ve got the F55 hitch link in my recovery kit, luckily haven’t needed to use it yet.

[@MadMatt4WD]

At least you’re prepared. Well done

[@steveformosa5191]

I’ll be very happy to go 4x4 driving with Matt

[@dirtyoff-roadaustralian5525]

Thanks Mad Matt for covering this subject as the tow bar pin hasn’t been recovered in depth of detail as you can provide The reason I asked about this in the last video was because I forgot my tow bar recovery hitch And unfortunately had a situation we had a vehicle heavily bogged and winching forward was not available at this point abs I did use the pin as my point of contact for the snatch strap but use very lightly as a drag not as much as a full snatch Thanks Matt

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad to help

[@bigjohn2048]

I have also noticed most people are not using sand bags on the winch lines any more. They should be used to help keep the line low or on the ground in case it fails.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Go to my recovery playlist and see my testing on this.

[@3.0colorado21]

I usually use just the pin when I happen upon a stuck car in a place it shouldn’t be. To be clear, I remove my receiver and ball and use just the pin. Again, I have never seen a pin fail but I have seen balls break and damn near hit people. I saw a ball break and go into a tree so deep we had no chance of getting it. I have also seen cheap amazon D rings (clevis hook) bend open and release. Recovering a stuck vehicle is just potentially really dangerous if taken lightly or done without care. Appreciate you shedding light on good safety habits.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks mate.

[@grahamwest1079]

Totally agree with everything said

[@firsttodothat375]

Great video

[@TuffRR]

A good educational video on a bit of a contentious topic. One of the arguments for not using the hitch pin is that it is not rated and tested for that sort of load. That is reasonable, but that logic can also be applied to the whole Toyota/Hayman Reece/'insert brand here' tow assembly. AFAIK, these are also not tested or rated for the forces of a kinetic recovery. So it comes back to common sense, education and risk mitigation, which is i guess part of the reason you do these videos. So thanks. 👍

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yes it’s difficult when so much of what we’re doing is not real good but works if we’re careful

[@garychandler4296]

And kinetics RULE! 😂

[@johnossendorf9979]

I have a Cast Steel Pintle Ring with a frozen hitch pin stuck in my class III receiver. We tried induction heating then air hammering the pin with out success. At some point I will have to cut off the outer ends of the pin and drill it out, but since I usually just skid logs or pull a car out of the snow once in a while and haven't done any towing in years I'm not in a rush to drill the pin.

[@codestools1528]

I have one tow strap I have with a hook on the end I don't even plan on using it for recovery's but for pulling cars around the yard I have been sticking the hook though the hitch and simply hooking it on the back

[@SW0000A]

I'm definitely going to get one of those recovery receivers now.

[@MadMatt4WD]

👍

[@burtreynolds3143]

"four wheel drive recovery professionals" perfect

[@wb5mgr]

People should always remember that in most cases only 4-6 bolts are holding those hitches onto that vehicle. 8 if your lucky. I had a hitch on my F250 almost fall off after towing a trailer through the mountains because the bolts stripped out of the holes in the frame. It had been removed by a body shop for service and then put back after the repairs and instead of them replacing it with new bolts they had put it back with the original bolts and I’m assuming tightened everything up with an air impact that probably stripped out the fasteners 😮 II towed that trailer all through the smoky mountains like a death trap not realizing it was wiggling it’s way loose. Safety chains are no help if the whole hitch falls off the vehicle. I would advise anybody who’s doing off-road recovery on a regular basis to just have their hitch welded to the frame to make sure it can’t shear off. Especially if you do a lot of these recoveries and then go pull a trailer.

[@awestruck9075]

Doesn't welding the frame, weaken it? Best off checking and replacing the bolts as required.

[@rh4402]

Don’t weld to frame

[@danbusey]

Thank you Matt. I'd love for you to come to Cruiserfest and do a recovery seminar.

[@MadMatt4WD]

You know I’m keen Dan. I’d be happy to chat about how we can make it happen. [e-mail]

[@jasonlovell3934]

This is good advice for the energy created by a kinetic recovery from mud. In rock crawling we generally just need a little tug to get a light weight jeep off a rock. This is well within what the hitch pin is designed for and much less than what it would be subjected to towing a 10k pound trailer thousands of miles. Thanks

[@MadMatt4WD]

What you’re identifying there is the difference between what we call a tow recovery and a kinetic recovery. And yes for a tow recovery the pin would be fine as you say. But best practice still suggests we use a hitch link.

[@johnguilfoyle3073]

It's also important to define your terms. What is a "4x4 Recovery"? The first example given, it's what I would consider a Standard Recovery because it doesn't require Four-Wheel-Drive and it isn't off-road if you can pull from the pavement. I had something similar happen to me, it was a minivan slid in a creek and I had a rear-wheel-drive pickup truck and 75 feet of 5/32" Polypropylene Diamond Braid Rope for tying down loads. I tripled up the line and looped it from my hitch to their hitch.

[@brsnow225]

I’d never even thought about using a hitch pin like that but I get why someone thought of it…..it’s probably better than hooking to a corner suspension piece. Maybe a follow up to this video would be a “recover vs getting recovered” like who’s pulling who. I’ve seen so many people hook up to pull an IFS suv out and they go right to the a-frame.

[@JB-ro3sz]

I use a recovery hook from a semi-truck. I welded a sleeve over it as a shim to fit the 2 inch receiver tube correctly. (the weld is at the back end of the hook and only serves to hold it in place). Overkill? maybe but I believe overkill is good practice, for example, if your equipment is rated for the work you are likely to be doing use a higher rated device, it could significantly increase your margin of safety.

[@austinjackson5220]

Have always used it for small things, Like pulling the tree limb across the yard, Good to know the strenths/ Limitations.

[@MadMatt4WD]

For that sort of application it’s fine.

[@crispernator]

good video mate as you say emergency stuations only for a pin recovery ,sorry to be a party pooper but are they load rated shackes your using for your tow chains where i live its illegal not to have them and tow a trailer or van and they get a few at the ramp too .

[@gypsy_on_drugs1285]

Done lots of recoveries going off the hitch pin but was always with a winch and a wide strap like the middle section of the snatch strap. Gives it a wide foot print similar to the reciever.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yeah but it’s not true double shear so be careful.

[@craigkelly3620]

Another great video Matt. Was wondering if you have ever done a video on a car with no recovery points , ( tray back Ute ) and if not could you . Cheers

[@MadMatt4WD]

yeah thats a can of worms leave it with me

[@NismoXero]

My thoughts exactly on your assessment! The pin in only useable for low energy straight line pulls. I did nicely radius the edges on my receiver and upgrade the pin to a grade 8 bolt but still would only use it in a low energy, emergency situation. Great video!

[@harrywalker968]

america, has the best content,, seeing they make all the gear we use.. & vehicle mods, that are totally illegal here in aus, cos our laws are for cars,, not 4x4rs.. vast difference..

[@chriscuppywhitehead6722]

The pin on its own is something I've always done, and I've always debated in my head whether it's necessary to buy a receiver. But after this really simply explained video, I will go buy one. They're not expensive so we really don't have any excuse. I just always left it as the pin because I figured I'm just eliminating the hitch receiver and thus its one less thing to fail. But your points outway my one thought. Thanks again Matt. 👍👍

[@MadMatt4WD]

My pleasure mate. Only trying to help

[@dcf476]

Glad you made a mentioning of the max speed you should use to recover, I was wondering as the F55 hitch can only hold 4.5ish tonne, how much loads up during a recovery. So I'm taking it that at 15kph you're going to be up at around that 4.5T momentum load?

[@MadMatt4WD]

I want to explore that. Rabert Pepper has done a video around the subject of recovery loads and the numbers are high.

[@dcf476]

@@MadMatt4WD thanks for the clue to go hunting, found it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp7YdpSZn9l0jLc pretty scary numbers hey!

[@DougVandegrift]

I had to use this method in the St George Sand Dunes to recover a van. He wanted me to use the ball mount on the hitch but I thought that was dangerous. This pin only totally worked!

[@MadMatt4WD]

Well done.

[@hairybubbles127]

Hitch pins are for towing. "With great caution" in an emergency is spot on. Replace your hitch pin with a grade 9 bolt with correct shoulder length and you'll feel better about the contingency. Further, your emergency gear does not work if it isn't in the rig.

[@ED-es2qv]

I can anecdotally say I’ve ruined a number of straps early by ignoring the bend radius issue. I’ve had a number of them fail right where I regularly bend them sharper than they want. They have always taken it for years, but maybe not as many as they should.

[@contributor7219]

It speaks volumes to the level of technical skill involved in off road recoveries that most military forces around the world have dedicated recovery mechs and dedicated recovery vehicles - including tracked recovery vehicles. I've worked with them many times over the years and because the 'Reccy Mechs' live and breathe recoveries of heavy vehicles the safety factors they work with are substantial. As you correctly point out, people can use recovery equipment recreationally with no formal training, no scheduled inspection or testing of recovery equipment, and no understanding of the forces involved. As we have very recently seen it can be a lethal combination. Let's hope people watch and absorb the messages you are sharing.

[@trickster8635]

Well said. As an ex-reccy-mech, I shudder, sometimes, at what I see happening out there in "no idea land".

[@mattluszczak8095]

I dont think i have ever used a snatch strap recovery. Granted i travell alone so would use a winch for self recovery i have come along once to a bogger prado or something. Yep used the winch. Snatch strap is bogs on sandy tracks not stuck on a beach to the sills. I think there is a limit to snatch strap and anything past a Sandy track should be the winch

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’m with you. A snatch is only used when I have to. I also travel alone a lot

[@aaronb7990]

Same, sand is the only place I will 'snatch' I call it bumping. Anywhere else it's tire traction or winch %100.

[@kevinwalker7302]

So what about bypassing that receiver point entirely??? I've just been putting soft shackle around the crossbar of the hitch adapter... Mine happens to be a round crossbar, but I can a decent gap above the square crossbar and below the bumper of the rig in this video.... Id really like the actual break strength difference single shear vs double shear, and possibly see what gains are made with the addition of something like 2"L*5/8 ID*1/4WALL Tube creating a near double shear scenario... I've seen several cheap recovery shackle hitches that use a hollow square tube, so is that really much better???

[@247geoffers]

Hey Matt, love your channel. Had a bit of a left field content suggestion. Comes from almost loosing my pride and joy on Moreton last week after the high tide came up a lot higher than the day before, I'd run out of beach and was forced to drive through a fair amount of salt water (hip deep on one of the creek crossings which was terrifying driving solo). Luckily got back to camp with a lot of cleaning ahead. Definitely the most stupid thing I've done in the last decade. I guess in hindsight what I'm curious about is whether it would have been a better choice to park the car as high on the beach as possible, drive up the dune potentially rolling the car or just trying to get the car out of there which is what I ended up doing (besides the obvious of just not getting myself in the position in the first place). I know a lot of people every week loose their cars to the tides, just for the poor folk that do; I wonder if there's a better course of action. Cheers, Geoff

[@MadMatt4WD]

Hey Geoff. Thanks for the kind words. Personally I plan my beach drive and always try to have a buffer. I’d not drive through salt if at all possible but as you have then lots of fresh water flushing is the go. If you could get above the tide level that would be good but balancing that with damage to the dunes is important. It would be an interesting video for sure. Let’s we what happens

[@johneden7975]

Matt, Great video and you were doing some homework about hitch pin as the recovery point! My argument would be for incorporation of the ‘hitchchunk 2.0”. Would be that you are introducing a projectile. Where as just using the hitch pin standalone, with a soft shackle and a kinetic rope. It keeps the working bits all made of speed reducing fibers. I know I know, emergency only for the pin. But I’ve been doing it for yyyyearrrs. Most I’ve ever done to a pin on bogged 6600lb rigs. Is slightly bend them. Never had one snap and that is because of its Rockwell hardness being in the 20’s. They’re just not brittle and have a nice elasticity to them. And when they do finally give up the ghost. Very cheap to replace. That’s my 2cents. Thanks for listening:-)

[@MadMatt4WD]

I appreciate you proposing the argument. Have a read of this from Factor55 re the breaking points of things. The hitch ain’t coming flying any time soon. The 2” hitch itself is rated for 9500 lbs. that’s the max load. That’s why the 2” HitchLinks, all of them have 9500 lbs machined into them. Our parts have not seen yielding in testing until just before breaking. What’s this mean? Every other item you have attached to the HitchLink and pin will fail before either of those do. Standard duty soft shackle - 39K Tow Strap- 31K KERR- 29K HitchLink 2.0 - 51K Hitch pins- 50+K The entire off-road industry functions off break strength not WLL. 3/8 Synthetic rope breaks between 18-22K so a 5:1 means it’s WLL is only 4.4K on a 12K winch? It’s about quality of materials and validation through testing.

[@johneden7975]

@@MadMatt4WD I’m my defense, I don’t buy garbage hitch pins and not a kamikaze recovery dude. Slow steady, baby pulls and usually have the winch helping too. I’ve watched the original video from where this PSA started from. And it is very unfortunate. It needs to stressed as well as all this great recovery gear. But you cannot go gangbusters with the throttle. The suction needs to be broken. As you know, the factors of this tragedy are numerous. Hope you and yours stay happy and healthy -PS Heading up to Vermont USA for 4-5days. If your ever in the states again remember this road. RISKY RANCH RD. it’s an amazing gateway to Vermont wheeling👌🏼

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@johneden7975 great comment and it’s good to see you’re playing the game well. Risky ranch it is.

[@ridestreet20]

Terminology always gets me and even though you are a world away I still believe "receiver" is the hitch attached to the vehicle and the hitch attached to vehicle is not a "tow package" or "tow pack". A tow package is a mounted reciever, added cooling under the hood and trailer light wiring. Possibly gear ratio change. All installed at the factory.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Ha ha ha. Yeah I try to use language or you lot but dang it’s tough. 😂😂😂 nice comment

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏. And, hope long between kinetic rope pulls should you let the rope fully recover? Thank you for sharing

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yes a rope needs to rest as well as a strap. About 5 hits and it needs to rest

[@Walkercolt1]

Most hitch pins aren't that strong. An ARP grade 9 bolt in the receiver is another matter! A grade 9 bolt with a nut to secure it will pull thru the receiver before it bends-ask me how I know!!! Hey, I got the 4-wheeler out with my 2 WD truck and he paid me for a new hitch and gave me $500 to boot. My new hitch has a "sacrificial" receiver that can be replaced-great idea Reese!

[@awestruck9075]

One small query and not saying that you should use it, but Isn't a D shackle or soft shackle the same diameter as the draw bar pin? Hence inside the tow strap design radius?

[@MadMatt4WD]

The pin is slightly smaller at least in my rigs.

[@PeterJames143]

thanks

[@MartinsGarage97]

I have a rhino USA solid steel receiver. I have a excursion so my hitch is meant to stop a car at 70 MPH from sliding under me so its meant to do it. I have a v10 and 430s. Tones of torque and rpms. My first pull is always slowly pulling with the brakes still on slowly inching forward. 4 low for really slow and steady pulling.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Excellent. Slow is the go

[@n8b5]

Hi Matt, I appreciate your videos and have learned from them. I attended a professionally run course a few months back with an ex-military recovery guy and was specifically taught to use the a snatch strap directly connected to the hitch pin (and cautioned about sharp edges) with instructions not to add unnecessary potential failure points to a recovery. Using a kinetic rope directly off a hitch pin is dangerous for reasons you mentioned (if it even fits) and while the solution is to use a receiver and shackle between the rope and the hitch pin, that introduces two more peices that can either fail themselves or become projectiles. Doesn't this point to a single snatch strap being a safer, simpler and cheaper solution than receiver + shackle + kinetic rope?

[@MadMatt4WD]

I used to teach that as well. I believe recovery in 4wding is a ever improving space, so things i once did I no longer do as I learn. There are way more experianced people than me in this space it just seems I have a voice they don't so we work together. So I believe a hitch reciver connected as I show will have an excellent margin of safty as opposed to a pin which has no design or testing for this sort of application. go for the safest method not the easiest.

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@Ihavetopoop718 that’s an interesting idea. I don’t know if there’s enough space in there for all that but it could be explored. In defence of the Factor55 gear it’s all tested and is not failing out in the field so I feel comfortable that’s it’s up to the task with suitable safety limits.

[@tyronnagy1963]

Great point..if you know you know.if not,you probably don’t know you don’t know. When I go wheeling I see p platers with a breaka iced coffee and no gear or it’s built cars with drivers who are experienced.

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

I know I've said it before, but having good connection points is a must (I have 2 square hitch points on the front of my rig & 2 & the rear, PLUS my tow bar. All 4 points are directly connected to my chassis rails, it means I can spread the load evenly & safely. I even have one on the rear of my car carrying trailer (for Justin!) As I've also said before, I absolutely love your passion for safe 4wding & the fact recoveries are serious stuff! I totally agree with the correct head space with recoveries, one of the worse things is having mates around being D*ck heads & forgetting about safety all together! Great Stuff Matt!! Stay on the mission, you could certainly save some heartaches, if not maybe a life by your continuous campaigning!! 👍

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks heaps for such a positive encouraging comment.

[@garychandler4296]

Noob to my 4x4 and you just saved me from cutting tow straps or killing anpin AND strap. I could see me welding a square of pipe halves for a smooth insert to protect a strap, but you brought up the pin itself as another problem! I will rather weld up a square tube hitch, with an extension welded to a large piece of pipe, with a keeper plate on top?

[@MadMatt4WD]

Welcome. For the cost just buy the right tool designed for the job. It’s not worth the risk.

[@brucebaxter6923]

As you said earlier. Use the safest stuff you have.