My son has shackles, e.g.,

<http://www.4by4connection.com/drings.html>

mounted to his Jeep's front and rear bumpers. I know the bumpers on the
Vanagon are not strong enough to use to mount shackles to for unstucking
purposes.

So are there sufficiently strong points on the van?

I do have a fairly sturdly hitch receiver mounted to the rear tow loops.
Maybe attach a couple shackles to it?

For the front, I dunno.

--
Rocky J Squirrel, AKA Jack Elliott
'84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
'74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR