The recovery shackle of your trailer is also known as lashing rings or D-ring tie-downs. They're the part of your trailer that's shaped like a Letter D and kind of looks like a belt buckle. It moves within the bolted or screwed steel hasp that's connected to a strong, durable, and secure substrate.
The cargo-bearing recovery shackle comes in various safe working load ratings, sizes, and capacities. You should be familiar with them before looking for a replacement D-ring. DIY installation of this trailer part is moderately difficult.
Recovery Shackle Replacement Steps
- What You'll Need to Do and Get: You absolutely need a screwdriver and replacement recovery shackles for your trailer. It's optional for you to get a pilot bit, socket set, and electric drill. Before shackle installation, you should know the number of shackles needed for keeping the cargo in place and the locations where they're placed unto the trailer. Sometimes there are designated areas and sometimes you need to make mounts.
- Correct Recovery Shackle Placement: These shackles ensure that cargo is secured in all directions. Avoid making the shackle anchor too far or too close from the cargo. This could result in them toppling as you drive, which could damage fragile objects. Furthermore, the hasp of the trailer bed should be positioned correctly so that the shackles will fall to where the load is located. A hasp consists of a hinged metal strap that fits over a staple and is secured by a padlock.
- The Nuts and Bolts Assemblies: To fasten your shackles into place, you can use coach bolts and screws as well as nut, bolt, and washer assemblies. Use the right tools to use for each respective fastener. For instance, use an electric drill with a pilot bit in order to install your coach bolt with your socket set. A screwdriver is enough to handle any screws. Bolt shanks require you to drill holes through the trailer bed when using a nut, bolt, or washer assembly.
- Recessed Shackle with Backing Plate: The recessed trailer recovery shackle has a sunken design for wooden surfaces that includes a backing plate that allows you to install it anywhere on the trailer. The backing plate serves as a strong tie-down point compared to D-rings that lack it. You need to drill a drill a 3¼-inch hole in the wood in order to ensure proper trailer recovery shackle recession.
- Drill, Drill, and Drill Some More: The backing plate serves as your template when drilling four mounting holes. Put the plate over the 3¼-inch hole and line up the mounting holes to allow attachment of the plate with bolts and nuts. Put your trailer floor tie-downs correctly so you won't drill into the steel frame accidentally when making those recessed holes for your D-ring or recovery shackle tie-down to sit in.