Tow hitch for off-road recovery/snatch straps

[JMF661]

Hey all!

I’ve been looking around and found a few 2” class III receiver setups that would fit in my 94 ranger. I’m sure these would work as well as any for off-road recovery/hits on a snatch strap.

What are folks out there using for this application?

Thanks!

 

[sgtsandman]

Some use just the pin to hold a draw bar in the receiver for a recovery point. Others get a draw bar with a shackle or a hole for using soft shackles.

I would stay away from open hook style draw bars since there is nothing to retain the strap from coming off the hook and positive retention is a very good thing. They work but aren't the best option.

Whatever you do, do not use a standard ball hitch as a recovery point. Trailer hitch balls are not designed for that kind of load and if it breaks, it becomes a projectile that hurt or kill someone.

 

[JMF661]

Some use just the pin to hold a draw bar in the receiver for a recovery point. Others get a draw bar with a shackle or a hole for using soft shackles.

I would stay away from open hook style draw bars since there is nothing to retain the strap from coming off the hook and positive retention is a very good thing. They work but aren't the best option.

Whatever you do, do not use a standard ball hitch as a recovery point. Trailer hitch balls are not designed for that kind of load and if it breaks, it becomes a projectile that hurt or kill someone.

Thanks for the info Sgt!

Yes, I will definitely be acquiring a shackle type hitch to put in the receiver in the rear. Ball type hitches are certainly a real bad choice for off-road recovery.

I was more interested in what model or brand of receiver system guys are using, my Ranger currently has no receiver installed.

 

[gw33gp]

I just push the recovery strap loop in the receiver and put the largest diameter hardened bolt I can get though the receiver holes and strap loop. That works great and I don't have to carry an extra item. The receiver drags enough without something else hanging out of it.

My receiver is a Round Tube Hidden Hitch. I don't know if the Round Tube is available any more but I have had two different styles of Hidden Hitch receivers and liked them both. They got a lot of use and abuse too.

 

[wildbill23c]

Whatever brand class 3 receiver hitch you want to buy will work just fine. The trouble is which ones are made to tuck up nicely under the truck and not hang several inches below the bumper to get hung up on everything....one thing I'd suggest, go to a pick a part yard and look around at the receiver hitches on Rangers there, find one you like and pull it. I paid $20 for the receiver hitch for my Bronco 2. Sure beats $150-200+ for a new one for a 20+ year old truck. If it hasn't been damaged in an accident it'll be fine for your use.

 

[JMF661]

Not a bad idea wildbill. I’ll have to do a little snooping around. I think I’m looking to put a front and rear receiver hitch just in case.

 

[Uncle Gump]

While not the cheapest option... I think it's the coolest one. Probably set you back a grand... but I don't regret buying them a bit. Another 180 bucks will get you the front skid plate also.

 

[sgtsandman]

Not a bad idea wildbill. I’ll have to do a little snooping around. I think I’m looking to put a front and rear receiver hitch just in case.

I’ve had Curt and Reese and they have both been good. I never had an aftermarket on a Ranger, let alone one your year. Factory seems the best option to make sure it hugs up on the bumper the best.

I can’t remember the brand but etrailer sells a front hitch for Rangers. They might not be the best price but it will give a manufacturer and a part number to do some searching.

As posted above, an off road bumper with shackle mounts is the best option but it might not be in the budget. Affordable Off Road seems to be the best deal out there and is linked via the TRS Store. It might throw Jim Oaks a couple bucks if you use his link to buy one.

 

[wildbill23c]

While not the cheapest option... I think it's the coolest one. Probably set you back a grand... but I don't regret buying them a bit. Another 180 bucks will get you the front skid plate also.View attachment 44257View attachment 44256

Those bumpers look great, too bad there's absolutely no aftermarket for the Bronco 2's . I'd love to get some aftermarket bumpers for my Bronco 2, especially a rear one to get that noisy rattling spare tire carrier off the rear quarter panel and liftgate.

 

[snoranger]

I don’t waste my time with with hooks, shackles, etc...

 

[franklin2]

This guy uses a pintle hitch.

He also uses a triple ball tow hitch.

 

[Blmpkn]

While not the cheapest option... I think it's the coolest one. Probably set you back a grand... but I don't regret buying them a bit. Another 180 bucks will get you the front skid plate also.View attachment 44257View attachment 44256

A grand for BOTH or each end? Who's the manufacturer on those?

 

[Uncle Gump]

A grand for BOTH or each end? Who's the manufacturer on those?

I'm not exactly sure of the current pricing... or exactly what I paid. But a grand for BOTH. I did have them build my rear bumper from 3/16" stock vs the base bumper which is 1/8"... a bit heavier... but it is pretty stout and will accept a tire carrier better with less flex. I did buy the skid plate too... not on yet... but it really protects the lower radiator.

I see now they have rock sliders... they replace the rockers... weld on. Not sure I'm ready to pull the trigger on those just yet.

In my humble opinion... these guys do great work and you won't be disappointed in what you receive. The TRS store has a front bumper listed. Buying through TRS doesn't cost any more... but it helps the site maintain itself. But to see their other offerings... Google... Affordable Off Road.

 

[Blmpkn]

I'm not exactly sure of the current pricing... or exactly what I paid. But a grand for BOTH. I did have them build my rear bumper from 3/16" stock vs the base bumper which is 1/8"... a bit heavier... but it is pretty stout and will accept a tire carrier better with less flex. I did buy the skid plate too... not on yet... but it really protects the lower radiator.

I see now they have rock sliders... they replace the rockers... weld on. Not sure I'm ready to pull the trigger on those just yet.

In my humble opinion... these guys do great work and you won't be disappointed in what you receive. The TRS store has a front bumper listed. Buying through TRS doesn't cost any more... but it helps the site maintain itself. But to see their other offerings... Google... Affordable Off Road.

Awesome thanks!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Those bumpers look great, too bad there's absolutely no aftermarket for the Bronco 2's . I'd love to get some aftermarket bumpers for my Bronco 2, especially a rear one to get that noisy rattling spare tire carrier off the rear quarter panel and liftgate.

They do have a front winch/non winch bumper for the BII... and I can't imagine that the rear bumper couldn't be fitted with a set of new mounting brackets.