Is it safe to use one of these:

with a shackle as a recovery point? (It is rated at 6000 lbs while my hitch is rated at 5000 lbs)...

 

You mean put a shackle in it? Sure. But it might bend the clevis pin if it doesn't support it right, making it hard to remove. So use the biggest shackle that will fit.

Just never loop your recovery strap over the ball and yank. Seriously, ball failure is very rare - but disastrous if it happens.

 

Right on...Thanks

 

another way is to stick the loop of the strap into the receiver hitch and put the pin through the loop.

 

There isnt a problem with using that. Its better then hooking onto the frame or something. I believe Warn makes a mount so you can hook a winch to a receiver. If you can winch from it, you should be able to pull from it...well considering thats what its designed to do ....I wouldnt pull more then its rated for of course....remember though, pulling a vehicle that is stuck in mud is gonna be ALOT more weight then the vehicle itself, since the tires will have a suction effect in the mud...

 

i welded a front tow hook from a 99 yukon to one and made a big bad tow hook. it works great.

 

I used one of those with a 7/8" shackle for recovery use. I later made a long reach shackle receiver to replace it:





I can't use the std. short reach receiver in my bumper, the pin is set 5" back.

 

That's awesome! I wish I had crazy fabrication skills .