RG&B Soft Shackle review

[Red90]

What's the advantage over a traditional shackle? Other than the metal one becoming a projectile if it fails (almost unheard of if rigged properly).

The main advantage is they can be used on a wider variety of mounting locations. A normal shackle needs a fairly specific place to attach.

The steel shackles become projectiles because of failure of what they are attached to. This is VERY common in our usage as the vehicle attachment points are not suitably designed or built.

 

[Red90]

Good question. I also wonder if those would absorb water and mud, freeze in the winter, deteriorate from road salt, abrade from the inside, etc. I know climbing ropes can suffer from all of these problems and lose strength/fail. What's the effect of UV light on these as well?

Climbing ropes are completely different. The structural rope is on the inside and can be damaged without seeing it. These types of ropes are an open braid with all of the rope fibers visible and easy to inspect. As with all synthetic winch rope, they should be cleaned between use to prolong life.

 

[Antichrist]

The steel shackles become projectiles because of failure of what they are attached to. This is VERY common in our usage as the vehicle attachment points are not suitably designed or built.

Maybe it's just me, but using that rationale for using one seems like backwards thinking to me and comes under the caveat "if rigged properly."
It would also require the user to be absolute in their commitment to not just switch to a steel shackle (assuming they could) if they are trying to recover someone and the soft shackle breaks.
Personally, I prefer to use the same guideline from when I first started off-roading, if the attachment point isn't up to the task, that type of recovery isn't attempted.

On the assumption we all have suitable attachment points, I can see the use for them if the person you're recovering doesn't have anything suitable and you want to wrap it around an axle housing or the like.

 

[David Harris]

On the assumption we all have suitable attachment points, I can see the use for them if the person you're recovering doesn't have anything suitable and you want to wrap it around an axle housing or the like.

Yes. I can see bringing one or two of these for additional options, but seem like they would need higher maintenance and have less longevity than steel shackles for normal use.

David

 

[mongosd2]

I can't believe your still debating this...It's pretty simple, the rope shackle has it's merit's, as do steel ones. Carry both...You can have the same argument about lot's of "tools" and gear:
Crescent wrenches
Vise grips
Syn rope vs Steel line

Are any of them the "right" tool?

Just give it a rest...

 

[I Leak Oil]

I can't believe your still debating this...It's pretty simple, the rope shackle has it's merit's, as do steel ones. Carry both...You can have the same argument about lot's of "tools" and gear:
Crescent wrenches
Vise grips
Syn rope vs Steel line

Are any of them the "right" tool?

Just give it a rest...

A freek'n men!

 

[Fivespddisco]

The BS about Amsteel-Blue was pulled from MasterPull, http://www.masterpull.com/cpage.cfm?cpid=197
I'll let you argue with them if it's BS or not, I have no idea if their rope is really that much stronger.

Tom
Just grabbing random data from google to defend yourself has made this debate ponderous.

but you haven't stated what the pin diameter was in the original test.

If you have another serious question I will answer it but beyond that you will have to find someone else to fight with.

Video 1 test pin was 1 inch in diameter.

 

[Fivespddisco]

What's the advantage over a traditional shackle? Other than the metal one becoming a projectile if it fails (almost unheard of if rigged properly).

Rob Davison hit this on the head.

"Advantages of soft shackle (unconventional recovery)
Conforms to unconventional recovery points.
Floats.
Light weight
Easy to pack"

 

[Fivespddisco]

We will have a lager TR version soon.

 

[Red90]

You can put that in the advertising. "So big, even the Antichrist will give it a tug"

 

[Antichrist]

It's pretty simple, the rope shackle has it's merit's, as do steel ones.

I've never said otherwise.
If you read my posts, as opposed to what others have claimed I said, you'll see that.

Video 1 test pin was 1 inch in diameter.

Thanks. That validates the detrimental effect of sharp bends in ropes reducing the overall load capacity.

 

[AxeAngel]

On the assumption we all have suitable attachment points, I can see the use for them if the person you're recovering doesn't have anything suitable and you want to wrap it around an axle housing or the like.

Would like to hear from all - what is the more preferred rigging: i) soft shackle or ii) appropriately rated chain with hooks?

Thanks
-Sam

 

[Nonimouse]

I'd like to give one of these a go - well two to be honest

I don't think it will work but I would like to find out if I was wrong

Of course there are two reasons I won't be able to go down that route:

a) I'm a writer for an international mag so might not be able to give good press

b) I'm based in the UK so who would send me one over...

 

[Antichrist]

Would like to hear from all - what is the more preferred rigging: i) soft shackle or ii) appropriately rated chain with hooks?

It's dependent on the situation, but more than likely the soft shackle. I'm not a fan of chain except for very limited conditions.
If I were to use a soft shackle I'd use it with a 3:1 safety factor, so about a 4t WLL. The cheapest chain with a 4t WLL is around $10/ft and quite heavy.

 

[Beowulf]

Looks like you got a front page shout out.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/exp...54-stuff-and-things-lucky-8-soft-shackle.html