Killer tow hook~ a Must have

[green machine]

Hey I designed this awsome tow hook that fits in your tow reciever. I have the patent pending. Warn has one that is $65, and not nearly as strong. It is made really strong with a D ring for the hook. It not only is indestructable, but it gives your rig some additude (It looks cool). I posted more infor on the for sale trade board. But if any one is interested I will have pics up soon. I am selling them for $40, usually $50. They are seriously a safe, practical, attractive, and useful tool to have on your rig.
Give me a note at jpreppy@usa.net

Thanks

John Prepula

 

[green machine]

Well?

Lets have some feedback boys!!!

What do you think?

Any one interested, or am I off my clock?

 

[Rob]

Lets have a look...

Green,
Honestly I would be interested, but a picture speaks for itself.

Rob

 

[CBoug76]

I Agree With Rob.
I was looking into the kind that Warn sells, but this may have changed my mind. So lets see what they look like!

 

[Dre]

Any pictures??

If you'd post pictures it will be easier to say anything on the subject. Plus, some more info on the cost and all would be appreciated.



Later,

 

[Seth]

A picture speaks a thousand words. And how is this hook made? What did u do to make it indestructable?

 

[green machine]

pics on their way!!!

Sorry about taking so long!!

I have to get permission through Rick first, and the pics should be up in a few days.

Got to have a friend with a digital camera take them. Quality counts!!

Sorry for the delay!! Glad you guys are interested, and believe me, it is an awesome product, so just hold on, it will be worth it!!

John Prepula

 

[rock883]

I just put my hitch on today and I was thinking of putting some tow hooks on the frame, but if this thing looks real cool, I may be interested. Waitin for the pics....

 

[CBoug76]

How's the Tow Hook coming along??

 

[adionne 93 XLT 4.0]

I would be interested as well. Looking forward to see the pic's. ;?

AL

 

[Tom Wilk]

Well, I have a tow hook that fits the receiver; it is very heavy duty. But, with a tow strap, you don't really need it. Just put the end of the strap into the box and put the pin through the loop. 2" wide and my 3" Keeper straps are folded over and sewn at the ends so that they will fit into the 2" receiver hole.

 

[Seth]

Hey where are those pic's you promised us? I'm going to be getting some tow hooks here pretty soon and if yours are looking pretty good then maybe i'll buy from you instead.

 

[CBoug76]

I couldn't wait any longer!

So I made this receiver shackle which is similar to WARN's, but I believe it is a Heck of a lot stronger!!!

It cost me about $50 to make it for myself, I might be persuaded to make some more if there was enough of a demand and the price your willing to pay sounds good to me. E-mail me if you have any questions.

 

[gijoecam]

I have a question???

I've got a question for you... It begs to reason that like a chain, a pulling set-up is only as strong as it's weakest component. What makes the set-up you're building any stronger than a simple trailer hitch draw-bar with a 3/4" shackle through it? A Class III Frame-mounted hitch (which I assume is what yours slides into) is rated for 10000 lbs. The shackle I use (a 3/4" rated for 16000 lbs) in a class III 2" drop draw-bar should, in theory, rip the reciever right off the frame long before the the shackle fails, right? The drawbar came with the hitch (retails for about 20 bucks at any trailer supply store) and the shackle cost me 7 (though I could have swiped one from work I'm sure).
Now, knowing that, How is yours manufactured? Is it milled from a solid piece of 2x2 bar stock? What material? (CRS or other material?) What type of welding process do you use? Is it then heat-treated to relieve the stresses fo welding/machining? Also, my other concern is that with it set-up in the hitch as drawn, any angular pull will put a bending stress on the shackle pin... a definate no-no. If you set it up like mine (i.e. Shackle vertically) you can pull from any angle side-to-side, and up or down around 20 degrees or so before you stress the pin.
I'm just curious myself, but some others might want to know too.
-Joe-

 

[Jim F]

It would seem that Warns is cheaper. Check out this link:

Dead Link Removed

WARN RECEIVER SHACKLE
ITEM: XA-52-0417
PRICE: $39.99

Just my 2 cents.

[Edited by Jim F on 10-02-2000 at 08:45 AM]

 

[RFR2212]

Okay, I was looking at that web site and is it me or does that snatch block look kinda small and flimsy?
Thanks, Pete

 

[rock883]

I have always thought that they looked pretty weak too, but I know that they hold up to like 15,000 pounds, and they include those with the winch accessory kit.

 

[gijoecam]

One more thing...

I just thought of something else... those types of shackles are meant to be used with either eye-bolts or chains, not straps. They make a special shackle for use with straps that is flat on the "horse-shoe" end... It's hard to describe, but that way instead of putting a greater load on the edges of the strap and encouraging "bunching" of the strap towards the middle, the strap sits flat compared to the shackle. I'll try to post some pix when I can steal my dad's camera.
-Joe-

 

[Peter Weber]

Do you mean like a stirrup?

 

[CBoug76]

Re: I have a question???

Originally posted by gijoecam
I've got a question for you... It begs to reason that like a chain, a pulling set-up is only as strong as it's weakest component. What makes the set-up you're building any stronger than a simple trailer hitch draw-bar with a 3/4" shackle through it? A Class III Frame-mounted hitch (which I assume is what yours slides into) is rated for 10000 lbs. The shackle I use (a 3/4" rated for 16000 lbs) in a class III 2" drop draw-bar should, in theory, rip the reciever right off the frame long before the the shackle fails, right? The drawbar came with the hitch (retails for about 20 bucks at any trailer supply store) and the shackle cost me 7 (though I could have swiped one from work I'm sure).
Now, knowing that, How is yours manufactured? Is it milled from a solid piece of 2x2 bar stock? What material? (CRS or other material?) What type of welding process do you use? Is it then heat-treated to relieve the stresses fo welding/machining? Also, my other concern is that with it set-up in the hitch as drawn, any angular pull will put a bending stress on the shackle pin... a definate no-no. If you set it up like mine (i.e. Shackle vertically) you can pull from any angle side-to-side, and up or down around 20 degrees or so before you stress the pin.
I'm just curious myself, but some others might want to know too.
-Joe-

Joe,
First of all, sorry i have not replied sooner, it has been busy here at work. Now let me explain the differences with my Receiver Shackle Bracket is made frome a Heavy-duty Solid Steel Receiver Bar 12" long.(Warn's is shorter) It assume it is Extreded Steel,(Class of Steel unknown) My Shackle is made to be Semi-Theft Proof wiht the addition of a 1/4 set screw in the threads of the Shackle. My Shackle is 1", 27mm(Warn's is 3/4", 20mm). There is No welding or heat treating on my Receiver Shackle Bracket.

In regards to your concern's about stress on the Shackle, if you turn it sideways, now your applying stress to the Reciever Bar. So its 6 in one hand and a Half Dozen in the other. If You have any other questions, feel free to ask them.