Never use a tow ball for recovery.

[DocMike]

The last time I rescued an F350 on Crystal Mill, I just aired him down.
Dude was running 75 PSI.

Only ever done straight line pulls with the winch. Factor 55 Flatlink. Closed system.

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[mrmo]

41K pound rated

What about the pin, how do you know its rating or if it even is rated

 

[NachoRuby]

Do super duties have actual purpose-built recovery points, like our jeeps, from the factory.

 

[Prescottmojave]

Do super duties have actual purpose-built recovery points, like our jeeps, from the factory.

Yes, two in front. There was an old Ford ad in which they swung the truck around in the air to show the strength of the loops. I used them a lot on my F250 and F350.

 

[maddocmuc]

What a horrible story.
Since front winches are illegal where I live, I was considering a ball hitch mounted winch for forest works. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Jefe1018]

I've had this thread in my head for the last few days. When using a shackle receiver with the proper ratings, what hitch pin is appropriate? I'm more curious about using it with a kinetic rope as with a straight pull a static line won't put that much strain on it.

 

[NC_Overland]

Wha happened? The hitch pin failed? I’ve thought about that before and wondered if there are stronger ones out there for recovery. I use my tow hooks because I never trusted a hitch pin. I have a receiver mounted D ring shackle, but I never use it for that reason.

 

[RustySeatbelt]

Wha happened? The hitch pin failed? I’ve thought about that before and wondered if there are stronger ones out there for recovery. I use my tow hooks because I never trusted a hitch pin. I have a receiver mounted D ring shackle, but I never use it for that reason.

No, the hitch pin didn't fail. They used a drop hitch, looks like 6-8", and looped a strap around it, then tried to do a kinetic recovery. The hitch, due to the drop, couldn't take the kinetic force and it ripped the hitch off at the welds. This type of recovery wouldn't be smart with a normal hitch, but add in the fact that it was a drop hitch and the force from the kinetic pull was way too much for the hitch to sustain. They would have been better off taking the hitch out and sticking the rope into the receiver, then using the hitch pin to hold the rope in. There are numerous videos on YouTube which go into detail about what happened and ways to prevent it if you're interested in looking them up.

 

[Jefe1018]

No, the hitch pin didn't fail. They used a drop hitch, looks like 6-8", and looped a strap around it, then tried to do a kinetic recovery. The hitch, due to the drop, couldn't take the kinetic force and it ripped the hitch off at the welds. This type of recovery wouldn't be smart with a normal hitch, but add in the fact that it was a drop hitch and the force from the kinetic pull was way too much for the hitch to sustain. They would have been better off taking the hitch out and sticking the rope into the receiver, then using the hitch pin to hold the rope in. There are numerous videos on YouTube which go into detail about what happened and ways to prevent it if you're interested in looking them up.

Is the hitch pin something to use in a pinch only or is it actually usable with minimal risk?

 

[RustySeatbelt]

Is the hitch pin something to use in a pinch only or is it actually usable with minimal risk?

I haven't done a lot of research, so please take this with a grain of salt, but from memory the hitch pin is generally rated to exceed the load rating of the hitch itself. The large the hitch pin, the greater sheer strength. So it can be used with minimal risk if you don't have something like a factor 55 hitch receiver with a shackle.

 

[fourfa]

Problem is, you probably won’t break the hitch pin (assuming it’s a proper rated hardened steel pin) but you might bend it, and good luck to you ever removing it if you do. better to carry proper recovery gear and more importantly, step in and volunteer your time when you come across people about to do stupid stuff

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