Shackle Hitch for Recovery & Towing
$80.00
The Weigh Safe Recovery Soft Shackle Receiver has a sleek look while being strong enough for anything you can throw at it! Whether you need a soft shackle receiver for off-roading towing or vehicle recovery situations, Weigh Safe has you covered. We provide high-quality selections that are strong, long-lasting, and safe for your vehicle.
Frequently Bought Together
Features
STRONG
This hard shackle is perfect for recovery situations, whether you’re stuck in the mud/snow or towing a broken-down car, this hitch has got you covered! Keep it in your receiver or store it in your car door so you always have access to a strong tow point. Our hard shackle hitch has a 45,000 lb. breaking strength limit.
SLEEK
The all-new Weigh Safe Hard Shackle Hitch is made from aircraft grade aluminum and features a heavy duty steel hard shackle ring. Due to its aluminum material, you won’t have to worry about any rust or corrosion in your steel shackle hitch receiver! SPECIFICATIONS
- Rated for 45,000 lb breaking strength
- Fits a standard 2" hitch receiver with a standrd 5/8" hitch pin opening.
- Ring inner diameter is 1.75"
- Shackle has a working load limit of 4-3/4 tons
- Shackle is 3/4 inch and shackle bolt is 7/8 inch
What Is a Shackle Hitch Receiver?
A shackle hitch receiver is a recovery accessory that slides into your vehicle's standard 2" hitch receiver to create a rugged, ready-to-use anchor point for towing and recovery. Rather than relying on a factory tow hook, it gives you a secure spot to connect a recovery rope, strap, or soft shackle when you need to pull a stuck vehicle free or get pulled out yourself.
The Weigh Safe Hard Shackle Hitch pairs an aircraft-grade aluminum body with a heavy-duty steel shackle rated at a 45,000 lb. breaking strength, giving you a strong, corrosion-resistant tow point that's always ready when the trail or the weather turns rough.
Common Uses for a Shackle Hitch
Because it turns your 2" receiver into a rated, heavy-duty tow point, a shackle hitch earns its place in the bed or door pocket of just about any capable vehicle. Here's where it shines:
Off-road recovery A dependable anchor point for connecting a recovery rope or strap when the trail gets technical.
Towing A secure connection for pulling a disabled vehicle or hauling a load to safety.
Snow recovery Get a stuck truck or SUV moving again after it digs into deep snow or ice.
Mud recovery Pull free from soft, sloppy ground without trusting a factory tow hook to do the job.
Jeep recovery Built for the kind of off-camber, off-pavement situations Jeep owners run into.
Truck recovery Strong enough for full-size trucks, with a 45,000 lb. breaking strength to back it up.
ATV/UTV towing A solid recovery point for getting your side-by-side or quad unstuck and back on the move.
Compatibility
The Weigh Safe Hard Shackle Hitch is designed to fit the most common setup on the road, so it works with the majority of trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, and other tow-ready vehicles. Here's what it's compatible with: Receiver size – Slides into any standard 2" hitch receiver. Hitch pin – Uses a standard 5/8" hitch pin opening (pair it with our Hitch Locking Pin to keep it secured). Shackle dimensions – 3/4" shackle with a 7/8" shackle bolt and a 1.75" ring inner diameter, sized to accept most recovery ropes, straps, and soft shackles. Strength rating – 45,000 lb. breaking strength with a 4-3/4 ton working load limit, giving you plenty of margin for full-size truck and off-road recovery. If your vehicle has a standard 2" receiver, you're good to go. For 1-1/4" receivers or other non-standard setups, this hitch won't be a direct fit.
Hard vs. Soft Shackle: Which Recovery Option Is Right for You?
Both connect to your 2" receiver to give you a rated recovery point — the difference comes down to material, handling, and how you plan to use it.
| Feature | Hard Shackle Hitch | Soft Shackle Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Shackle material | Heavy-duty steel shackle | Synthetic soft shackle (sold separately) |
| Body material | Aircraft-grade aluminum | Aircraft-grade aluminum |
| Breaking strength | 45,000 lb. | 40,000 lb. |
| Receiver fit | Standard 2" receiver, 5/8" pin | Standard 2" receiver, 5/8" pin |
| Weight & handling | Heavier, fully rigid | Lightweight, flexible, easy to handle |
| Best for | Hard pulls, fixed anchor points, abrasive or rocky terrain | Quick recoveries, tight angles, frequent re-rigging |
| Durability | Highly resistant to abrasion, heat, and sharp edges | Strong but more vulnerable to cuts, abrasion, and heat |
| Safety if a connection fails | Steel adds mass under load | Lower mass means less stored energy |
| Corrosion resistance | Rust-free aluminum body | Rust-free aluminum body |
The bottom line: Choose the Hard Shackle Hitch when you want a rugged, always-ready steel tow point that shrugs off rough conditions. Choose the Soft Shackle Ring when you want a lighter, more flexible setup that's quick to connect and easier on your gear.
FAQs
What is a shackle hitch used for?
A shackle hitch turns your 2" receiver into a strong, rated tow point you can count on. It's built for recovery and towing situations—pulling a stuck vehicle out of the mud or snow, hooking up a recovery rope, or towing a disabled car to safety. Keep it in your receiver or stow it in your door pocket so you've always got a secure connection point ready when you need it.
Are shackle hitches safe for towing?
Yes—when used correctly with the right gear. Our Hard Shackle Hitch is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with a heavy-duty steel shackle rated at a 45,000 lb. breaking strength, so it's plenty strong for recovery and emergency vehicle towing. Just be sure to pair it with rated recovery gear, stay within the working load limit, and follow safe recovery practices. For towing a trailer, you'll still want a proper ball mount—but for recovery and vehicle towing, this hitch gives you Towing Peace of Mind.
What size hitch receiver does this fit?
It's designed to fit a standard 2" hitch receiver with a standard 5/8" hitch pin opening—the most common setup on trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. If your vehicle runs a standard 2" receiver, you're good to go.
What's the difference between a D-ring and shackle hitch?
A D-ring (or D-ring shackle) is the U-shaped metal connector with a screw pin that you attach your strap or rope to. A shackle hitch is the receiver-mounted unit that slides into your 2" receiver and gives that shackle a solid place to live. In short: the shackle hitch is the anchor point that mounts to your vehicle, and the shackle or ring is what your recovery line connects to. Our Hard Shackle Hitch combines an aluminum receiver mount with a heavy-duty steel shackle so you've got both in one piece.
Can you use a shackle hitch for recovery?
Absolutely—that's exactly what it's made for. Whether you're stuck in the mud, dug into the snow, or helping a buddy off the trail, the Hard Shackle Hitch gives you a strong, rated point to connect your recovery rope or strap. With a 45,000 lb. breaking strength and a 4-3/4 ton working load limit, it's ready for serious off-road recovery work.
What is the weight rating of this shackle hitch?
The Weigh Safe Hard Shackle Hitch is rated for a 45,000 lb. breaking strength with a 4-3/4 ton working load limit. The shackle itself is 3/4", the shackle bolt is 7/8", and the ring has a 1.75" inner diameter—built to handle tough recovery jobs with room to spare.
