General 4x4 Discussion - don't pull a stuck rig via hitch-ball

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don't pull a stuck rig via hitch-ball

Printed From: Rocket City Rock Crawlers
Category: General
Forum Name: General 4x4 Discussion
Forum Description: Tech Talk
URL: http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13133
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 9:05pm
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Topic: don't pull a stuck rig via hitch-ball

Posted By: alabamatoy
Subject: don't pull a stuck rig via hitch-ball
Date Posted: 29 July 2022 at 11:42am

I have always heard of this being a dangerous possibility, but havent seen it in reality. This fellow apparently tried to pull a stuck truck out of a mudhole by putting a snatch strap onto the hitch ball of the stuck truck then yanking it with his truck. This broke the hitch on the stuck truck, and the stored energy in the stretched strap sent the broken hitch through his windshield and into his face, which killed him.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Arizona-man-killed-when-tow-hitch-breaks-during-stuck-truck-recovery/5-2573050/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Arizona-man-killed-when-tow-hitch-breaks-during-stuck-truck-recovery/5-2573050/

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"If you didnt buy your 1st gen 4Runner new, then YOU are a newbie!!"

BRC Life Member

Replies:

Posted By: 98TJ
Date Posted: 29 July 2022 at 3:10pm

I've pulled a bunch of stuff using the hitch ball just like they say not to and never had a problem and never seen anyone have a problem. But I guess I won't do it again.

I watched a couple of videos on this topic a few days ago. Both happened to be Australian. They talked about one incident where the ball didn't break, the ball mount broke. It had been exposed to saltwater for many years and the metal was half eaten up.

The other was them destructive testing hitch balls by putting a strap on the and then putting a lot of slack in the strap and running wfo to the end of the strap and breaking the hitch ball bolt. Every one I saw appeared to be a lite rated hitch ball with maybe a 3/4" bolt and likely chinese junk.

Most of my hitch balls are 10,000 lb rated with 1-1/4" bolts (IIRC). Anyway , probably not a good idea and I will do something different next time unless I'm pulling something real lite.

https://4x4earth.com/forum/index.php?threads/another-tow-ball-tragedy-rip-ryan-warning-graphic-images.50910/#post-699874" rel="nofollow - https://4x4earth.com/forum/index.php?threads/another-tow-ball-tragedy-rip-ryan-warning-graphic-images.50910/#post-699874

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1998 TJ 4.0 5spd Atlas 36" Swampers RE4.5 ARB's 44/44
2015 JK Rubicon, mostly stock

Posted By: 98TJ
Date Posted: 29 July 2022 at 3:19pm

After looking at the photo of the failed dropped ball mount; what manufacturer would build a 15" dropped ball mount with a hollow tube to go in the receiver? That should have been solid steel square bar. That is a gross design failure even if they rated it for extremely lite use. That has to be so chinese junk right there. Somebody gonna get sued if their even still in business.

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1998 TJ 4.0 5spd Atlas 36" Swampers RE4.5 ARB's 44/44
2015 JK Rubicon, mostly stock

Posted By: RL-RRC
Date Posted: 30 July 2022 at 9:20pm

Sad thing is they had the tools to do it a lot better. Should have pulled the hitch and put the strap loop in the receiver and installed the hitch pin.

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96 Lexus lx450
85 Toyota Truggy built by Don
69 FJ40
Chance favors the prepared!

Posted By: NOT4HWY
Date Posted: 03 August 2022 at 11:50am

Saw a video many years ago where a winch cable snapped and the recoil cut a bystander in half.

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Club member since 1992, Club President 1995-1999 Trail rig:S-Blazer,Rockwells,507 Caddy,T-400,203/205, Tow-rig: '23 F350 4x4