Hitch Pins -Recovery

[Tryfan]

I have a D-shackle assembly in my rear tow bar for recovery (Not towing) and this is secured with a stainless steel class III / IV hitch pin. I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that stainless steel hitch pins aren't good for this. Is this true if so why? Whats the best option ?

[Tryfan]

moved to modified forum

[FlexdXJ]

I had the same setup before I got bumpers and I got tugged on a few times like that and no issues. If its rated for towing a trailer, I see no reason it would shear in a hard pull.

[Tryfan]

OK thanks good to know, its just I remember reading that normal steel was better than stainless steel for recovery hitch pins

[POSJ]

Trailers are being towed on a flat smooth pull, not a quick pull in a bound up circumstance. I would Recommend buying a receiver pin that is rated higher and not worry about it.

[souske]

Most Stainless steel has little or no carbon in it, and therefore cannot be heat treated.

Ductility in a hitch pin would be bad, as you would never get it back out.

I suggest a hardened steel pin

[Tryfan]

Thanks for the explanation

[MG2000XJ]

Is there any reason the correct diameter grade 8 bolt would not work? How about 5?

[mcantar18c]

Somewhere on Pirate there's a thread about this. Somebody posted in the thread the shear strength of a grade 8 bolt and a hitch pin... I don't recall what exactly the numbers were, but the difference is pretty significant (the pin being much stronger than the bolt)