Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

They were invented to get you to buy more stuff...

I freely admit that, despite having been drivinig trails fairly seriously for the last 10 years, I don't have all that much experience with recoveries. Maybe because I hang with the Patrol owners. But I have never seen a bow shackle break. Have seen a couple of ropes snap, and have seen a recovery point bend (fortunately not break).

Has anyone on here ever seen an appropriately-sized bow shackle break during a recovery? Not heard of a friend's uncle's cousin's dog's bow shackle, but actually seen it themselves?

Peter Connan wrote: ↑19 May 2021 13:53 I freely admit that, despite having been drivinig trails fairly seriously for the last 10 years, I don't have all that much experience with recoveries. Maybe because I hang with the Patrol owners. But I have never seen a bow shackle break. Have seen a couple of ropes snap, and have seen a recovery point bend (fortunately not break).

Has anyone on here ever seen an appropriately-sized bow shackle break during a recovery? Not heard of a friend's uncle's cousin's dog's bow shackle, but actually seen it themselves?

I don't think there is any way that an appropriate bow shackle can break during a 4x4 recovery. Too many other things that are weaker.

Agree, the fuse would be the rope, recovery point(s) . I've never seen or heard of one breaking, ever. (not even incorrectly sized units)

As with most equipment-related things, most usage is either for training/demonstration or for assisting somebody less skilled/prepared/equipped than yourself. So if you only need to be concerned about your personal needs then you can give Megaworld a wide berth and carry almost nothing in your vehicle.
The main downside to the soft shackle in my view is it's limited lifespan and when things have a lifespan I tend to be a subliminal cheapskate and avoid using it.

Some instances that come to mind where I have used it are on advert shoots for soft-roaders where there is no recovery points or you don't want to damage tupperware. Also connecting two snatch ropes or winch extension ropes, that sort of thing. So for me it's just a convenient Plan B to turn to once in a blue moon, where previously I would have improvised something else. The problem with rare events though is you forget about it and afterwards think oh ja I could have used the soft shackle

Peter Connan wrote: ↑19 May 2021 13:53 I freely admit that, despite having been drivinig trails fairly seriously for the last 10 years, I don't have all that much experience with recoveries. Maybe because I hang with the Patrol owners. But I have never seen a bow shackle break. Have seen a couple of ropes snap, and have seen a recovery point bend (fortunately not break).

Has anyone on here ever seen an appropriately-sized bow shackle break during a recovery? Not heard of a friend's uncle's cousin's dog's bow shackle, but actually seen it themselves?

I have never seen n bow shackle break.
They bend slightly but never break.
Only used a Jeep Owners soft shackle once to get him out of the mud, after he got stuck after trying to recover a Fire department Land Cruiser - With his winch fitted - but never connected. trying to address a fire in a swampy area. I just drove past with no recovery gear on the Patrol.