Some of the things at harbor freight aren't worth the price of the box they came in, but there are a few things there worth their weight in gold. I used to read a lot of offroad magazines back in the day. They did a winch shoot out every year. The warn always won even when it broke and the badlands didn't. I bought a badlands winch and stopped reading magazine gear reviews after that issue
A lot of people rave about the Badlands winches. On the flipside, Warn does make quality products, but for the few people that did end up with lemons, I've heard their warranty policy is heinous.
@@drams1145 I can't speak for the warn warranty, I've never owned one of their products. My badlands winch has yanked down more trees clearing land than most people use one to get unstuck. The one time I snapped the line because it got kinked, I took the whole thing to a harbor freight and they handed me a new one, no questions
For anyone that wants to know, on fire trucks that have shinny chrome tow hooks, i used a harbor freight 6 foot lifting sling, cheaper then a tree saver. Pulled a tiller truck with a blown diff, with a pumper truck. But still an $11.00 strap to pull 55,000 lbs thats impressive. And a tiller is a fire truck with trailer/ladder combo.
One of the things I like about you and your videos is you tend to use gear that people can actually afford some way afford some of us can't afford the more high dollar gear to start off
Thanks, I tend to use affordable gear, because that’s what I can actually afford and the cheaper gear, in some cases is just as good as the hype of a big name brands.
Thank you! I’m sure that every off-roading person who has looked at those Badlands straps has wondered how they compare to a kinetic rope. You’ve provided the answers that we all needed.
I just think it's cool to see you hanging with other TH-camrs (Dirt Lifestyle's Taco in the backdrop), and keeping to a theme of true off-roaders - assessing all gear for its relative and comparative value, and passing along what you learn, along with an informed opinion.
I have had the HF 12volt 150psi air compressor for four years now. I bought it when my wife and I went to the Outer Banks North Carolina to air up the tires. I still use it regularly on the farm for equipment tires. For $80 it's worth every penny.
I use the 30 foot strap for all kinds of junk. Pulling rigs, moving trees, tree proctor. Its very nice having something that isnt super expensive and dont mind getting used in the wrong situations.
Harbor Freight has started selling some really good gear. I like the winch hook as well and got it when I went from cable to synthetic. The new 3ton jack stands are awesome. the safety pin addition is great and nothing like the cheap ones they were getting before. I like the Earthquake impact wrench, just rotated my tires and it was a breeze. A lot of my tools in my Jeep come from HF.
I have some of those items from HF but have yet to use them. Going off on a little different tangent, after years of shopping there, I have finally learned to stop buying mechanical stuff from HF. I've had HF mechanical things break from non-use! The last mechanical item I bought from HF literally broke upon inspecting it! I just replaced the item with a number two quality rated item in the country (the number one was sold out) and it cost twice as much but the quality is very obvious and the use is so much easier!
Nice! I saw some of the new badlands recovery gear and I'm definitely interested in a few items. I also have a Yankum rope and it's totally worth the money. About a month ago we ran into some crazy muddy conditions that we didn't expect. Ended up using the rope to recover several strangers and then the vehicles in our group multiple times. Got us out of some pretty crazy mud holes.
One important piece of gear you didn't mention is the winch damper. HF has this for about $25. I've put one in both our jeeps. Recovery gear is a must if you offroad, and even though synthetic doesn't store the energy that steel does, that cable can still fly when it breaks.
@@louisperich6678 a lot of people are getting away from steel cable and going to synthetic rope on their winch. It's plenty strong and it doesn't store energy the way steel does. So if it breaks, it falls to the ground a lot sooner and doesn't have the recoil or whip of a steel cable.
Ahh, thank you. I did not realize synthetic had taken over winches too. I always assumed the maximum practical cable diameter and its required strength was incompatible with synthetics. Appreciate the insight!
I was in Harbor Freight the other day and saw their expanded offerings jn off-road recovery equipment. HF has really upped their game with their ICON line of tools, and now their Badlands off-road gear. I think for my Gladiator, which will see limited off road time, I will be purchasing this equipment for sure, to outfit my Gladiator. Thanks for the honest reviews, they are greatly appreciated!
That’s my thing, I’m gonna use my recovery gear once, maybe twice a year if that. I really only ride dirt roads in the mountains and haven’t had to use my winch for recovery in over a year. Im not gonna drop hundreds of dollars into recovery gear for it to sit in my bag. Im gonna spend maybe $150 on the badlands gear and not feel like it’s a big waste. If I was wheelin trails daily, I’d invest more.
Before I even watch your video, I bought these a few months ago, and already used them to pull a tri-axle dumpster hauler out of a shallow but muddy ditch with my G6 Bronco. The "soft" shackle was horribly stiff, but the gear did work well for the recovery.... ok... now I can watch the video! 😜
The explanation between both and the demonstration was very impressive I am very thrilled I will definitely be getting one of each two soft shackles for the V Bridal
I have 3 of the snatch block from harbor freight. I use them regularly. Loading animals that are no longer among us. I've got a year on them using a atv wench tripping, or quadruple the line into the trailer. A little lube and the go. The huge hole where the bearing is gives a great place to put a chain through allowing a better purchase for the pull and it rolls and flows smoothly. Just a touch of lube now and again. Straps don't stretch as much. It's for a pull or wench extension. The rope is braded to stretch.
Some pretty cool stuff. No good to me, as I'm in Canada, but it's the winch hook that gets me here. I ALMOST got caught up the excitement or Hype of all the new fangled stuff ... but myself, when I wanna be quick with the winch, nothing beats a hook. So I never went with any others. Nothing like laying on a hood or wading into a river then trying to find the tow hook and screwing in a shackle! That sucks ... run down, slap a hook on ... done! ... okay,now I will go finish watching.
Right I’d love to have a yankum rope but can’t afford the $400 it takes to get one. Another reasonably priced recovery gear is rhino USA. I believe a 3/4 kinetic rope is around $120
I may have said this already, but thanks for sharing. I see a lot of the recovery gear at Harbor Freight and I wonder......I probably will get some from Harbor Freight until I can afford RhinoUSA. Keep it up.
My measure of recovery gear is...would you trust your life to it? Because it sometimes comes to that. I have the Badlands Apex 12 winch and I have trusted my life to it, and I'm still here. It now has a cracked aluminum cover, no fault of the winch-he 12k rated bumper winch mount actually bent during a hard single line pull. I repaired the bumper and reinforced it and the winch is still working perfectly. The cover is only cosmetic so I left it until I can find a replacement. I'll be trying more of their gear in the future. As someone else said, HF stuff in general is hit or miss, with lots of junk on the shelves, but the Badlands line seems to be a big hit.
The exact same thing happened to me, I have a video on it. The winch bent my winch plate during a hard pull and cracked the cover when it twisted. Still worked fine. 👊🏻
Harbor freight is definitely stepping up. The US GENERAL tool boxes look great and seem to be super good quality for 1/4 the price of tool truck brands.
I have the aluminum winch shackle mount on my ironman4x4 winch. I didn't like leaving the rope hanging, my old hook was rusting horribly after a few months. I may get a factory 55 winch shackle hook, they will actually sit flush against the fairlead.
One thing I'd advise against is chinese metal shackles if you're going to do a lot of snatch strap type recoveries a Crosby or Campbell shackle the same size is about 25 to 30 bucks and you can count on them to not be tempered incorrectly which in a shock loading type environment I would recommend going American on those forces can quickly double or triple in those dynamic environments
I see your point, but I have never seen a metal d ring shackle fail, either cheap or expensive. Maybe if you are talking huge weight 1 ton or larger, or excavator size recovery. But for Jeep size, I have never seen a failure in almost 15 years.
I use metal shackles I got off Amazon for my M35A2 and I've pulled two trucks out of the mud at the same time as well as pull tree's down, remove large fallen tree's and recover the truck a few times. All of these were well over a few thousand pounds and the truck recover, well the truck weighs 14k lbs, with HD 25T shackles, they haven't even bent. I'd expect my cable or strap to break before any of these shackles.
Good stuff. I have cable on my Superwinch but I plan to switch over to HF synthetic next time there's a coupon for it. I already have the Badlands fairlead and hook. They really have stepped up their game.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 Yeah I got deals on those other items. I missed out when the winch line was $75 though. I think I've been waiting for another deal like that for ~2 yrs now... I think they realized people will buy it for more than that. 🤣
I like the advice on the Pin style shackles, I never liked them as well, and some advice on the screw hard shackles when tighten them on the trail back it off a 1/4 turn and then they dont over tighten when you use them. Nice Video!
Those shackle and pins will work fine. I work for barge line for 15 years and that's all we used were them never had any problems with and barge puts a lot more pressure then anything on land ever will.
Why do people call shackles "D" rings? If it has a bolt that threads into one side, it's a shackle. "D" rings are for one thing, "D" shaped and they have a "U" shaped mount that welds on to the structure letting the D-ring swing. I have D-rings welded on my jeep bumpers and I carry shackles in my box of straps. I work in the theater business and none of us doing rigging have ever heard a shackle being called a D-ring.
A lot of people call a "Shackle" by calling it a "D-Ring" or "Disconnect-Ring" also they are also called a "Clevis" which is the most formal way of saying it.
Shackle is what we called them in the Navy, clevis in the oilfield. In both, a D-ring is a attachment point, with a little bit of pivot build in. A fixed attachment point is a padeye.
@@zackwhaley5350 true, in the respect that shackles are for heavy/ overhead use and a clevis is a lighter duty version never to be used for overhead lifting
Just purchased the Badlands winch and was looking for this type of video for straps and accessories. I appreciate your video. Regarding the snatch blocks. HF carries forged and bent steel. Would like to see more info on what blocks can be used with rope or cable so I don’t goof it up.
I have a 2014 4Runner Trail. Has the locker and crawl control. I use some Harbor freight equipment. I have the Apex 12000 pound winch, several straps, soft shackles, metal shackles, tree protector and some LED lights. All have performed well and are a good value for the money. I'm more of a Overlander than a heavy rock crawler or mud bogger, but I was very stuck at Badlands off road park and was able to pull myself out quite easily once I had a good angle on the pull. Is it the best gear? No, does it work well for the money, absolutely!
Damn it Kelly now i have to go by that winch hook! you made a strong argument for that one over the other winch end options. being pretty much a universal solution being as big as it is.
Hello :: I think someone in top Management is raising the bar. They are catching up with the times. I just bought a Vulcan 220 Mig Welder. I joined the Club got $100.00 off. The welder went up $50.00 since I got mine. I am looking for a can of corn to double in price this Fall and Winter !!! I saw the wall full of goodies you are speaking of. I put a Smittybilt from bumper on Wrangler Unlimited but no Winch yet !!! I really do not plan on taking Jeep into woods and bang it up, too new for that.
Check out Matt’s Off-road Recovery, Fab Rats and Casey LaDelle. They do off-road recoveries and they all swear by Badlands winches. I’ve had Warn and Badlands on ATVs and they were comparable in performance.
I have that winch on a reciever cradle and it is set up to be used front and rear on on my super duty and it works great. Most of my recovery gear is rhino usa and it seems to work pretty good
@Muddy Beards 4X4 I have a rhino usa kinetic rope on its way to me. I would like a yankum rope because I like to support local but I couldn't justify the extra hundred dollars
I think most of my recovery stuff came from harbor freight and rural king, all have been used and shine. I've got the same winch, I cut a T shaped chunk out of a mud flap(rural king) to drop in the thimble on the winch hook, let's that Apex hook snug up on the fairlead nice flat and quiet
@MuddyBeards4x4 hi, thanks for doing this channel and this video in particular. Can you please do an update to the video to include the badlands receiver hitch and how well you think they’d do snatching/kinetic recoveries, Or would it be best to wait and just get like a factor 55 or something? Thank you again, take care.
Thanks, I have the harbor freight receiver hitch recovery point, it will be going on the S10. So there will be videos about it later down the road for sure.
I've always frowned whenever I heard the words "Harbor Freight" when it comes to tools. But the popularity of the Badland winches seems to have exploded over the last couple of years and I've yet heard anything bad about them. Like you said, Harbor Freight seems to have really stepped up their game. I need to checkout those soft shackles, too. Thanks for this information.
The original rope that came on my 12k apex winch is still holding up great, almost 3 years of heavy use, so yes I would recommend buying it to swap out the old cable🤟🏻
You get what you pay for. And that holds true even at Harbor Freight. If you buy their higher end option of anything, you will get a legit, usable item. Their cheapest options are still garbage. Icon, Badlands, Bauer, etc are decent to say the least.
I didn’t test icon tools, I do have some icon screw drivers but that’s not what the videos is about. I was a professional mechanic for almost 10 years and most of my tools are Cornwell, Matco and snap on. I wouldn’t claim that because I didn’t test that, but maybe that would be a good idea…..🤔
Dude I absolutely agree with your thought process on affordable stuff. I just started my new channel jeepNdirt (with my first video posted from AOP Adventure Offroad Park in TN) and I too want to promote and encourage folks get out and wheel. Although I have a built JLU as seen in my video, I'm a diehard YJ guy and plan on featuring all of my affordable mods, purchases, and garage built improvements on that jeep in the coming future. I feel like the economy has driven so many folks away from wheeling or buying jeeps and I want to promote getting out there in different ways. Love your stuff man. I've been subscribed to you and Nate for a while and love the DYI stuff too. God Bless you brother.
I have a 7,200lb truck. Do you think the 2” badlands would be good enough to keep in the truck for winter snow recovery? I don’t off road it. Or would the 3” be better? Can a guy just wrap the strap over itself around points under a car to pull it out of a ditch quick. Like a wheel etc
I carry lockers fore and aft and a good shovel. That's all. Also a chain for the unprepared. I very much dislike stretchy ropes or straps so I don't carry them.
Stretchy ropes, aka snatch straps, kinetic ropes and soft shackles are the best choice by far in recovery situations, chains are heavy and dangerous if they break. I haven’t seen anyone use a chain in years and there is a reason.
Hey what front bumper is that? I have a friend with a LJ and she hates what's on there now. She is looking for some very low profile, even stubby style.
The soft shackles are way to thick. But other than that theyre ok. The winches are nice to just have to make sure all the bolts stay tight. And like any other winches don’t constantly run them let them cool then pull
what i seen at HF.. the shackle they melted the lead end ON THE TOP OF knot..might work might not..but if ya need it they have it,,,badlands ,,..24.00ea...i'm sure it was a manufacture defect that there wonderful QA missed...lol
The only shackles I ever know of or heard of was what goes on your leaf springs on a Jeep in the rear. Anything for the front or d -rings d hooks whatever Guess it just depends who's saying it. Don't think there is a right way or wrong way. D rings is what I always knew him was and like I said shackles go on the back of leaf springs on a Jeep or a truck
I did hear that too, this strap doesn’t have number of uses on it like they said, I checked. I will just use it until it becomes damaged and unsafe to use.
Not true, These recovery snatch straps actually stretch some, I have used many straps some that do not stretch and some that do and this one definitely does. You can feel a difference. And the stitching is just fine.
I feel like HF released that soft shackle just to shit on Bleepinjeep's $500 one. There is no substitute for quality gear but $500 for a shackle is just ignorant.
want to see badlands capability just watch matts off road recovery channel-- his wrecker has 6 badland winches alone- and uses it fo professional recovery
You cant really compare a kinetic rope like the Yankum to a strap. They both have there place in recoveries. Im surprised Harbor Freight hasnt came out with a kinetic rope yet
As i explained in the video these are snatch straps not a tow straps which stretch about 20% and a kinetic rope stretched more about 30%, so kinetic ropes are better. Tow straps have little to no stretch
Do those snatch straps have a number of pulls you can use them for like the arb ones? I wanna say you can only use the arb one 5 pulls then it's junk? Curious about that
I have heard about this as well. I checked and I couldn’t find any set number for these. They won’t necessarily be “junk” just won’t have the stretch and could be used as a tow strap or anchor strap after it loses its stretch.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 oh right on, the video I saw before I think said you shouldn't use them beyond the 5 hits. I could be wrong though. Think it was an Australian guy with Matt from Matt's off-road recovery
Some of the things at harbor freight aren't worth the price of the box they came in, but there are a few things there worth their weight in gold. I used to read a lot of offroad magazines back in the day. They did a winch shoot out every year. The warn always won even when it broke and the badlands didn't. I bought a badlands winch and stopped reading magazine gear reviews after that issue
A lot of people rave about the Badlands winches. On the flipside, Warn does make quality products, but for the few people that did end up with lemons, I've heard their warranty policy is heinous.
@@drams1145 I can't speak for the warn warranty, I've never owned one of their products. My badlands winch has yanked down more trees clearing land than most people use one to get unstuck. The one time I snapped the line because it got kinked, I took the whole thing to a harbor freight and they handed me a new one, no questions
@@mackenzieclancy959 can't argue with that. I've been back and forth on winches for a while now, but the Badlands products are certainly a contender.
After watching Matt's off road recovery now for a yr or so I'm ready to buy a badlands
Seeing it used in real world hard recoveries
Every so often Superwinch has a 50% off sale. I pick up a Talon 9.5i off their website for $549 shipped a while back.
For anyone that wants to know, on fire trucks that have shinny chrome tow hooks, i used a harbor freight 6 foot lifting sling, cheaper then a tree saver. Pulled a tiller truck with a blown diff, with a pumper truck. But still an $11.00 strap to pull 55,000 lbs thats impressive.
And a tiller is a fire truck with trailer/ladder combo.
impressive having an engine pull a bendy truck. fellow firefighter here
One of the things I like about you and your videos is you tend to use gear that people can actually afford some way afford some of us can't afford the more high dollar gear to start off
Thanks, I tend to use affordable gear, because that’s what I can actually afford and the cheaper gear, in some cases is just as good as the hype of a big name brands.
Also like the fact you don’t use “eye candy” like another channel that’s distracting from your technical content. Thanks for that!
Thank you! I’m sure that every off-roading person who has looked at those Badlands straps has wondered how they compare to a kinetic rope. You’ve provided the answers that we all needed.
I pulled my sons new Gladiator that was high centered in the snow with my Samurai and a 12000 Apex Winch. Saved our day of wheelin!
Nice, good to hear👊🏻
I just think it's cool to see you hanging with other TH-camrs (Dirt Lifestyle's Taco in the backdrop), and keeping to a theme of true off-roaders - assessing all gear for its relative and comparative value, and passing along what you learn, along with an informed opinion.
Thanks 👊🏻
I have had the HF 12volt 150psi air compressor for four years now. I bought it when my wife and I went to the Outer Banks North Carolina to air up the tires. I still use it regularly on the farm for equipment tires. For $80 it's worth every penny.
Thanks for the Harbor Freight gear reviews...their newer product lines show a great improvement in quality...
I use the 30 foot strap for all kinds of junk. Pulling rigs, moving trees, tree proctor. Its very nice having something that isnt super expensive and dont mind getting used in the wrong situations.
I have 4 Badlands winches between 3 vehicles , They have never let me down.
Harbor Freight has started selling some really good gear. I like the winch hook as well and got it when I went from cable to synthetic. The new 3ton jack stands are awesome. the safety pin addition is great and nothing like the cheap ones they were getting before. I like the Earthquake impact wrench, just rotated my tires and it was a breeze. A lot of my tools in my Jeep come from HF.
That impact is on my list to get, tired of firing up the air compressor
I purchased the 3/8 earthquake impact for a job and it underperformed the ridgid 1/4 inch impact I thought I was upgrading.
I have some of those items from HF but have yet to use them.
Going off on a little different tangent, after years of shopping there, I have finally learned to stop buying mechanical stuff from HF. I've had HF mechanical things break from non-use!
The last mechanical item I bought from HF literally broke upon inspecting it! I just replaced the item with a number two quality rated item in the country (the number one was sold out) and it cost twice as much but the quality is very obvious and the use is so much easier!
"I like that it's large" that's what she said. I'm in my 50's, but 12 mentally...
🤣
Nice! I saw some of the new badlands recovery gear and I'm definitely interested in a few items. I also have a Yankum rope and it's totally worth the money. About a month ago we ran into some crazy muddy conditions that we didn't expect. Ended up using the rope to recover several strangers and then the vehicles in our group multiple times. Got us out of some pretty crazy mud holes.
Yea man, I love the Yankum rope.
@@MuddyBeards4X4rhinousa rope works well too and straps
All of my recovery gear is badlands including my winch. It’s gotten me out of frame deep mud with ease. Quality with a good price is tough to beat.
Nice, good to hear
Finally, after years of griping, HF opened a new store close to me! Opening soon
One important piece of gear you didn't mention is the winch damper. HF has this for about $25. I've put one in both our jeeps. Recovery gear is a must if you offroad, and even though synthetic doesn't store the energy that steel does, that cable can still fly when it breaks.
I would agree, but no one I know runs cable anymore, so i don’t use a winch damper, it’s unnecessary. With a steel cable absolutely I would use one.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 if there is any steel in your line it's still not a bad idea. We always used old bath towels, I've actually seen it work.
sorry, I must be behind the times. If not cable, what do people run now? Are winches obsolete too? Asking just out of ignorance, thank you
@@louisperich6678 a lot of people are getting away from steel cable and going to synthetic rope on their winch. It's plenty strong and it doesn't store energy the way steel does. So if it breaks, it falls to the ground a lot sooner and doesn't have the recoil or whip of a steel cable.
Ahh, thank you. I did not realize synthetic had taken over winches too. I always assumed the maximum practical cable diameter and its required strength was incompatible with synthetics. Appreciate the insight!
I was in Harbor Freight the other day and saw their expanded offerings jn off-road recovery equipment. HF has really upped their game with their ICON line of tools, and now their Badlands off-road gear. I think for my Gladiator, which will see limited off road time, I will be purchasing this equipment for sure, to outfit my Gladiator.
Thanks for the honest reviews, they are greatly appreciated!
Thanks👊🏻
That’s my thing, I’m gonna use my recovery gear once, maybe twice a year if that. I really only ride dirt roads in the mountains and haven’t had to use my winch for recovery in over a year. Im not gonna drop hundreds of dollars into recovery gear for it to sit in my bag. Im gonna spend maybe $150 on the badlands gear and not feel like it’s a big waste. If I was wheelin trails daily, I’d invest more.
@@trevorturk7473 why not? You already blew tens of thousands of dollars on a vehicle you don't need. A Corolla could dirt roads too
Before I even watch your video, I bought these a few months ago, and already used them to pull a tri-axle dumpster hauler out of a shallow but muddy ditch with my G6 Bronco. The "soft" shackle was horribly stiff, but the gear did work well for the recovery.... ok... now I can watch the video! 😜
The nice part about their Apex winches, they come with a short relocation kit for the controller!
Thanks for helping us keep our fun affordable.
The explanation between both and the demonstration was very impressive I am very thrilled I will definitely be getting one of each two soft shackles for the V Bridal
I’m a newb truck owner and been looking for affordable and effective recovery gear before I show up at my local ORV park . Thanks for the video.
Thank you for sharing about the Harbor Freight recovery gear you gave me some reasurrence I just put a Badlands Apex 12000 lb winch on my jeep
I have 3 of the snatch block from harbor freight. I use them regularly. Loading animals that are no longer among us. I've got a year on them using a atv wench tripping, or quadruple the line into the trailer. A little lube and the go. The huge hole where the bearing is gives a great place to put a chain through allowing a better purchase for the pull and it rolls and flows smoothly. Just a touch of lube now and again.
Straps don't stretch as much. It's for a pull or wench extension. The rope is braded to stretch.
I don’t think most know that.
Snatch straps are braided loose.
Some pretty cool stuff. No good to me, as I'm in Canada, but it's the winch hook that gets me here. I ALMOST got caught up the excitement or Hype of all the new fangled stuff ... but myself, when I wanna be quick with the winch, nothing beats a hook. So I never went with any others. Nothing like laying on a hood or wading into a river then trying to find the tow hook and screwing in a shackle! That sucks ... run down, slap a hook on ... done! ... okay,now I will go finish watching.
I used my badlands snatch strap and soft shackle last weekend, loved it, worked great! No worries at all, and great price. Thanks for the reviews.
Nice, good to hear👊🏻
Right I’d love to have a yankum rope but can’t afford the $400 it takes to get one. Another reasonably priced recovery gear is rhino USA. I believe a 3/4 kinetic rope is around $120
They are $169 for a 20’ 7/8” kinetic rope not $400.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 might of been the Matt’s off-road rope I was thinking of
I may have said this already, but thanks for sharing. I see a lot of the recovery gear at Harbor Freight and I wonder......I probably will get some from Harbor Freight until I can afford RhinoUSA. Keep it up.
Thanks for the input, makes you feel little better knowing it holds up!
My measure of recovery gear is...would you trust your life to it? Because it sometimes comes to that. I have the Badlands Apex 12 winch and I have trusted my life to it, and I'm still here. It now has a cracked aluminum cover, no fault of the winch-he 12k rated bumper winch mount actually bent during a hard single line pull. I repaired the bumper and reinforced it and the winch is still working perfectly. The cover is only cosmetic so I left it until I can find a replacement.
I'll be trying more of their gear in the future. As someone else said, HF stuff in general is hit or miss, with lots of junk on the shelves, but the Badlands line seems to be a big hit.
The exact same thing happened to me, I have a video on it. The winch bent my winch plate during a hard pull and cracked the cover when it twisted. Still worked fine. 👊🏻
Harbor freight is definitely stepping up. The US GENERAL tool boxes look great and seem to be super good quality for 1/4 the price of tool truck brands.
You know, the only negative things I hear about badlands come from people who have never used them or given them a chance.
Haha, very true, or from improper use..
I have the aluminum winch shackle mount on my ironman4x4 winch. I didn't like leaving the rope hanging, my old hook was rusting horribly after a few months. I may get a factory 55 winch shackle hook, they will actually sit flush against the fairlead.
One thing I'd advise against is chinese metal shackles if you're going to do a lot of snatch strap type recoveries a Crosby or Campbell shackle the same size is about 25 to 30 bucks and you can count on them to not be tempered incorrectly which in a shock loading type environment I would recommend going American on those forces can quickly double or triple in those dynamic environments
I see your point, but I have never seen a metal d ring shackle fail, either cheap or expensive. Maybe if you are talking huge weight 1 ton or larger, or excavator size recovery. But for Jeep size, I have never seen a failure in almost 15 years.
I use metal shackles I got off Amazon for my M35A2 and I've pulled two trucks out of the mud at the same time as well as pull tree's down, remove large fallen tree's and recover the truck a few times. All of these were well over a few thousand pounds and the truck recover, well the truck weighs 14k lbs, with HD 25T shackles, they haven't even bent. I'd expect my cable or strap to break before any of these shackles.
Good stuff. I have cable on my Superwinch but I plan to switch over to HF synthetic next time there's a coupon for it. I already have the Badlands fairlead and hook. They really have stepped up their game.
Nice, I would definitely recommend it. You can get good deals if you are patient and wait for stuff to go on sale.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 Yeah I got deals on those other items. I missed out when the winch line was $75 though. I think I've been waiting for another deal like that for ~2 yrs now... I think they realized people will buy it for more than that. 🤣
I like the advice on the Pin style shackles, I never liked them as well, and some advice on the screw hard shackles when tighten them on the trail back it off a 1/4 turn and then they dont over tighten when you use them. Nice Video!
Those shackle and pins will work fine. I work for barge line for 15 years and that's all we used were them never had any problems with and barge puts a lot more pressure then anything on land ever will.
Why do people call shackles "D" rings? If it has a bolt that threads into one side, it's a shackle. "D" rings are for one thing, "D" shaped and they have a "U" shaped mount that welds on to the structure letting the D-ring swing. I have D-rings welded on my jeep bumpers and I carry shackles in my box of straps. I work in the theater business and none of us doing rigging have ever heard a shackle being called a D-ring.
A lot of people call a "Shackle" by calling it a "D-Ring" or "Disconnect-Ring" also they are also called a "Clevis" which is the most formal way of saying it.
Shackle is what we called them in the Navy, clevis in the oilfield. In both, a D-ring is a attachment point, with a little bit of pivot build in. A fixed attachment point is a padeye.
I mostly agree, a D ring is in fact a D shaped ring, usually a welded mount that allows swivel. A pad eye is a D ring with a bolt mount
Wait until you find out its actually called a clevis...
@@zackwhaley5350 true, in the respect that shackles are for heavy/ overhead use and a clevis is a lighter duty version never to be used for overhead lifting
Just purchased the Badlands winch and was looking for this type of video for straps and accessories.
I appreciate your video.
Regarding the snatch blocks. HF carries forged and bent steel.
Would like to see more info on what blocks can be used with rope or cable so I don’t goof it up.
Oh and that hook is a great design. I recently fitted similar to my TJ
That badlands snatch block weighs a ton.
On the pin style d ring, drill it out and use hinch pin tractor style.
You rock guy, subscribed. I was @ HF today lookin @ the badland stuff.
Thanks 👊🏻
I have a 2014 4Runner Trail. Has the locker and crawl control. I use some Harbor freight equipment. I have the Apex 12000 pound winch, several straps, soft shackles, metal shackles, tree protector and some LED lights. All have performed well and are a good value for the money. I'm more of a Overlander than a heavy rock crawler or mud bogger, but I was very stuck at Badlands off road park and was able to pull myself out quite easily once I had a good angle on the pull. Is it the best gear? No, does it work well for the money, absolutely!
Nice man, thanks for sharing👊🏻 glad it worked and got you home.
Try the 2" strap for your application, it will be plenty strong but have more stretch since you are closer to the rated load.
I have not had any issues with harbor freight recovery gear and I have used it many times.
Good to hear 👊🏻
Awesome! Thanks! I have the 12000 APEX winch and I’ve been wanting to test the gear out also.
Nice, How have you liked the winch so far?
I have a kinetic rope and I’ve used it a few times and it works great. If you want something that works like a kinetic rope buy a kinetic rope.
Damn it Kelly now i have to go by that winch hook! you made a strong argument for that one over the other winch end options. being pretty much a universal solution being as big as it is.
Haha, yes… best hook I have ever used, especially for the money.
Hello :: I think someone in top Management is raising the bar. They are catching up with the times. I just bought a Vulcan 220 Mig Welder. I joined the Club got $100.00 off. The welder went up $50.00 since I got mine. I am looking for a can of corn to double in price this Fall and Winter !!! I saw the wall full of goodies you are speaking of. I put a Smittybilt from bumper on Wrangler Unlimited but no Winch yet !!! I really do not plan on taking Jeep into woods and bang it up, too new for that.
Check out Matt’s Off-road Recovery, Fab Rats and Casey LaDelle. They do off-road recoveries and they all swear by Badlands winches. I’ve had Warn and Badlands on ATVs and they were comparable in performance.
I have that winch on a reciever cradle and it is set up to be used front and rear on on my super duty and it works great. Most of my recovery gear is rhino usa and it seems to work pretty good
Nice, I have a few rhino usa straps and I like them.
@Muddy Beards 4X4 I have a rhino usa kinetic rope on its way to me. I would like a yankum rope because I like to support local but I couldn't justify the extra hundred dollars
I love the Badlands brand..!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I think most of my recovery stuff came from harbor freight and rural king, all have been used and shine. I've got the same winch, I cut a T shaped chunk out of a mud flap(rural king) to drop in the thimble on the winch hook, let's that Apex hook snug up on the fairlead nice flat and quiet
They are coming out with an off road jack aswell
Already have it at my HF.
@MuddyBeards4x4 hi, thanks for doing this channel and this video in particular. Can you please do an update to the video to include the badlands receiver hitch and how well you think they’d do snatching/kinetic recoveries, Or would it be best to wait and just get like a factor 55 or something? Thank you again, take care.
Thanks, I have the harbor freight receiver hitch recovery point, it will be going on the S10. So there will be videos about it later down the road for sure.
I've always frowned whenever I heard the words "Harbor Freight" when it comes to tools. But the popularity of the Badland winches seems to have exploded over the last couple of years and I've yet heard anything bad about them. Like you said, Harbor Freight seems to have really stepped up their game. I need to checkout those soft shackles, too. Thanks for this information.
Yup, I have been having good luck with there newer line of hand tools as well.
Absolutely agree. The Badlands winches, as well as the Predator generators have an excellent reputation.
Good stuff Kelly 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks👊🏻
What are your thoughts on the HF synthetic winch rope? I still have a wire rope on mine (I know gasp,,, whatever life is dangerous LOL)
The original rope that came on my 12k apex winch is still holding up great, almost 3 years of heavy use, so yes I would recommend buying it to swap out the old cable🤟🏻
I bought that recovery strap but haven’t used it yet, was waiting for this video!
Hope you like it! 👊
You get what you pay for. And that holds true even at Harbor Freight. If you buy their higher end option of anything, you will get a legit, usable item. Their cheapest options are still garbage.
Icon, Badlands, Bauer, etc are decent to say the least.
Drives me nuts people call shackles D-rings.
Another youtuber tested & reviewed hand tools and had found the icon tools from HF to be up there with snapon
I didn’t test icon tools, I do have some icon screw drivers but that’s not what the videos is about. I was a professional mechanic for almost 10 years and most of my tools are Cornwell, Matco and snap on. I wouldn’t claim that because I didn’t test that, but maybe that would be a good idea…..🤔
You are correct, I misunderstood what he said for sure. That’s my bad.
Misunderstood this comment, I would agree with you 100%. I have had good luck with all my icon tools so far.
Nice review! Unrelated, what are the springs you’re running and how do you like them?
Metal cloak dual rate 4.5” lift. I like them, no issues
@@MuddyBeards4X4 Those are the ones I’m looking at as well. what’s the actual lift you got with your setup? Right at 4.5 or +/-?
Probably more like 5ish with the way the lower coil mount is
Dude I absolutely agree with your thought process on affordable stuff. I just started my new channel jeepNdirt (with my first video posted from AOP Adventure Offroad Park in TN) and I too want to promote and encourage folks get out and wheel. Although I have a built JLU as seen in my video, I'm a diehard YJ guy and plan on featuring all of my affordable mods, purchases, and garage built improvements on that jeep in the coming future. I feel like the economy has driven so many folks away from wheeling or buying jeeps and I want to promote getting out there in different ways. Love your stuff man. I've been subscribed to you and Nate for a while and love the DYI stuff too. God Bless you brother.
Thanks 🤟🏻
They also match the color of the jeep
Very true, 🤣
Rural King sells the Grip 20' recovery rope for $40.
Great test. Thanks!
Comparing harbor freight recovery strap with Yankum rope.. Please make your next video - speed test between a stock Corolla and a Porsche 911 😆
I agree “two inches is way more then enough”
Thanks for the video
love your reviews
Thanks man👊
Looks ok for the price point.
Trying to figure out if i should just buy an ARB kitout for recovery gear like snatch straps, etc, or if i should get the harbor freight stuff.
I have a 7,200lb truck. Do you think the 2” badlands would be good enough to keep in the truck for winter snow recovery? I don’t off road it. Or would the 3” be better? Can a guy just wrap the strap over itself around points under a car to pull it out of a ditch quick. Like a wheel etc
I carry lockers fore and aft and a good shovel. That's all. Also a chain for the unprepared. I very much dislike stretchy ropes or straps so I don't carry them.
Stretchy ropes, aka snatch straps, kinetic ropes and soft shackles are the best choice by far in recovery situations, chains are heavy and dangerous if they break. I haven’t seen anyone use a chain in years and there is a reason.
Good information
Thanks for posting! #JTRSPARTACUS
I think a kinetic rope will stretch further than that recovery strap
That wasn't a "D" Ring. It is a bow shackle.
Hey what front bumper is that? I have a friend with a LJ and she hates what's on there now. She is looking for some very low profile, even stubby style.
Barnes4wd, we also have a 10% discount code for them a well
Nice job
That 'D-ring' is called a Bow Shackle.
The soft shackles are way to thick. But other than that theyre ok. The winches are nice to just have to make sure all the bolts stay tight. And like any other winches don’t constantly run them let them cool then pull
Great video!
Thanks 👊🏻
what i seen at HF.. the shackle they melted the lead end ON THE TOP OF knot..might work might not..but if ya need it they have it,,,badlands ,,..24.00ea...i'm sure it was a manufacture defect that there wonderful QA missed...lol
The only shackles I ever know of or heard of was what goes on your leaf springs on a Jeep in the rear. Anything for the front or d -rings d hooks whatever Guess it just depends who's saying it. Don't think there is a right way or wrong way. D rings is what I always knew him was and like I said shackles go on the back of leaf springs on a Jeep or a truck
On another video they also talked about the snatch straps having a life span and can eventually lose their stretch
I did hear that too, this strap doesn’t have number of uses on it like they said, I checked. I will just use it until it becomes damaged and unsafe to use.
straps.are not kenitic do not yank on them. the strech is the stich in at the ends tearing they are "tow straps"
Not true, These recovery snatch straps actually stretch some, I have used many straps some that do not stretch and some that do and this one definitely does. You can feel a difference. And the stitching is just fine.
I feel like HF released that soft shackle just to shit on Bleepinjeep's $500 one. There is no substitute for quality gear but $500 for a shackle is just ignorant.
500??? Wtf!
One off subject question? Is the Montera a front wheel vehicle?
It’s 2wd, awd, 4wd and 4low, lol. It does it all.
want to see badlands capability just watch matts off road recovery channel-- his wrecker has 6 badland winches alone- and uses it fo professional recovery
You cant really compare a kinetic rope like the Yankum to a strap. They both have there place in recoveries. Im surprised Harbor Freight hasnt came out with a kinetic rope yet
really like your reviews!
Thanks man🤟🏻
Flat straps only stretch enough to not break which is not the same as kinetic energy recovery rope.
As i explained in the video these are snatch straps not a tow straps which stretch about 20% and a kinetic rope stretched more about 30%, so kinetic ropes are better. Tow straps have little to no stretch
I have Badland winch on my Forester, and Badland tree strap, snatch strap, soft shackles, hard shackles in my recovery bag. Good enough for me 🤷♂️
Nice👍🏻
just get hardened steel pins for the bigger d rings.
Thank You
You should redo your stretch test and use the same length of strap I think you’ll get more accurate results. Cool video though.
Btw The badlands D rings the bigger ones are really nice Kind of spendy but nice
Do those snatch straps have a number of pulls you can use them for like the arb ones? I wanna say you can only use the arb one 5 pulls then it's junk? Curious about that
I have heard about this as well. I checked and I couldn’t find any set number for these. They won’t necessarily be “junk” just won’t have the stretch and could be used as a tow strap or anchor strap after it loses its stretch.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 oh right on, the video I saw before I think said you shouldn't use them beyond the 5 hits. I could be wrong though. Think it was an Australian guy with Matt from Matt's off-road recovery
Yea that’s the one I saw as well. But I have never seen what he was talking about on a strap before.
Why do people use the soft shackles? Dandahermit