tow points

[AKMark]

Not that is hasn't worked for you but that shouldn't be a recommended practice, sort of like tie down points. The pin isn't designed to hold that kind of a load across a 2" space and likely will bend of not break. Generally pulls in the rock of AZ aren't nearly as tough as being in 18" of mud stuck to the frame.

Question for you then. If the pin is there to hold the reciever of a hitch, and the pin is rated for up to a 15K pull, how is that any different than putting the same pin in a shackle such as the one listed.

The pull force is the same, the strap when used with the pin is distributing the weight of the pull across the hole shaft of the pin. When used in a shackle assembly, (at least the ones I've seen) the insert is usually hollow, so that weight is being distributed across only two small points on either end of the pin.

Just using some of the good old Force calculations on this, but if science is true, then it's actually safer to use your hitch pin, over using a shackle in your reciever. The pin will get the same amount of force either way, but with the strap on the pin, the load is on a longer area of the pin.