I use hooks like these:
View attachment 170634
I think I got them from MasterPull.
I like them because the gate can't get damaged so there's no risk of cutting corners and using an open hook.
I don't like them because they require routine maintenance to keep the operating smoothly. But that's pretty minor.
Yeah, that's what the "I don't like them because..." was about. But I found that a squirt of WD40 and moving it some while I wait for my oil to drain keeps them from rusting up.I never had any luck with these hooks. They always rusted shut. Before a trip I had to spray them down with PB blaster and beat it with a hammer to get it to open up.
I never had any luck with these hooks. They always rusted shut. Before a trip I had to spray them down with PB blaster and beat it with a hammer to get it to open up. It got so bad I secured it to my bull bar with a piece of string so I could just cut it and then put a shackle through it.
The other hook that just has a gate seemed to be pretty good. Many of my friends have that and they seem to be pretty resistant to rusting shut.
Just put a shackle on it. That is what you are gonna do anyway. Remove a useless link from your chain.
HMMMM where do you live? I've had that type of hook on my winch line for about 15 years and have never had it not open easily. I do now live in the realitivly dry area of central Arizona but when I first got it I lived in the very damp Pacific Northwest. I have never put WD40 or any other lub on it, maybe I should?
Here's the link for the master pull 28k safety hook: http://www.masterpull.com/self-locking-safety-hook-3-8-28-000-lbs/