Recovery Equipment

I have a standard Jimny at the moment. What type of tow rope/ Slings are reqd. Was thinking of a couple of shackles to fit to towing eyes on front of vehicle. Then possibly a 2m strop to go between shackles and then a 7-8m Recovery rope to couple up to a winch.
What is this argument about a recovery rope as against a tow rope. Someone said on here somewhere that you should only use a Dyneema type rope if you have been instructed in its use. Please excuse my ignorance but what is there to know? Kinetic recovery ropes was what I was thinking of. Also what wt of shackles would I need

in my kit i have 2 D shackles 2 bow shackles a 10ft tree strop winch blanket and a good pair of gloves

What weight of shackles do you have, and what type and length of recovery rope. Sent you an email about other matter.

Hi mate you can only get very small shackles through the standard towing eyes so I would have a look at some of the pictures on this site on how to up grade them, I made my own. I use some 3 tonne D shackles with a 2m strop and then a 6m tow rope. Kinetic Energy ropes are very good but can be extreamly dangerous if used incorrectly.I used to use them in the forces to recover tanks and they are very good.
I have got myself a 6000lb Champion winch to fit so i will be changing my recover gear once fitted.
These are the towing eyes I made.
Thanks, James

Did you weld those towing eyes on or bolt them? What wt of shackles do you use?. What is dangerous about kinetic recovery ropes. Don't you find the shackles rattle when left in the towing eyes?

Kinetic ropes can be dangerous if misused. As with winches i think they're best left away from your truck until you gain some experience with them. I've seen a lot of people crop up in the last few years with winches fitted and have no idea about safe use.


I carry 4xblue pin (3.25t) bow shackles, i've also got a couple of small ones but i don't used them off road they're rated at a bit over a ton though iirc, a short strap/strop to use as a bridle and 2x4/5m(iirc) strops. 2 are rated and one is from a mate in civil engineering and is massive so more than enough for a little jimny. If you look at your front recovery eyes(or tie down loops) there are some bigger holes that will fit the bigger shackles. They're not ideal but a bridle across them and a gentle pull from a winch line or on a strap should be fine, definitely avoid snatching on them.
The way i see it is that due to jimny's being so light, unless you have something properly sorted you'll not be getting that stuck. Someone once said to me that if my trucks that stuck then so would everything else be! Always carry a good pair of gloves too and i've got an entrenching tool with me, no harm in a little digging i needs be.