Difference between bow shackles and D shackles

[halberg]

What's the difference gents?

Why would I buy a bow shackle over a D shackle, or vice versa.

(trailer rigging and four wheel driving use)

[on_one_wheel]

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A D Shackle is designed for a single straight line pull.
A Bow shackle is designed for use when you need 2 legs attached to the Bow shackle pulling at an angle to the load on the hook.

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A bow shackle is fine to use for both applications but D Shackles shouldn't be side loaded.

[Bourt]

Bow shackle is more versatile.

D shackle cheaper to make I think, why they still have them.

[Supaduke]

Bow shackles also have a larger clearance in its inner and outer diameter. So you can fit a larger hook or chain in it. On the flip side it also does not fit within as small an area, which in certain circumstances would require a D shackle. D's have a slight strength advantage when pulling in a straight line over a bow, but are much weaker when pulled on an angle.

[lole]

D shackle cheaper to make I think, why they still have them.

Bugger all dif at Bunnings on price though.

$1 each way or something last time I bought a pair for a trailer.

[Hatter]

I heard two young guys trying to choose something for a trailer at Masters a while back, one of them said get the bow because it looked better

[Fritz]

I've always looked at it this way.
When working with a load, D is for Dumb.

[Gregg]

There's nothing wrong with D shackles as long as it's for their intended use, dead straight pulls.

As soon as their is any side loading their WLL is massively reduced.

D shackles have an advantage of being smaller, so are good for limited space where only straight pulls are required. That's part of the reason they're still around.

As it relates to trailers and four wheel drive recoveries you should go with bow shackles as there will always be angles involved.

[Chronos]

There's nothing wrong with D shackles as long as it's for their intended use, dead straight pulls.

As soon as their is any side loading their WLL is massively reduced.

D shackles have an advantage of being smaller, so are good for limited space where only straight pulls are required. That's part of the reason they're still around.

As it relates to trailers and four wheel drive recoveries you should go with bow shackles as there will always be angles involved.

And don't buy $1 shackles from bunnings, always buy shackles with the appropriate rating for the max predicted load

Chronos

[Gregg]

Yes, good add there Chronos.

Only use shackles with a stamped WLL on them, choose a suitable limit.

If they're bare don't use them.

[Gaz52]

Bow shackles are better suited for use with soft slings and snatch straps as they don't squeeze the sling as much as a D shackle.