On Tue, 2011-05-24 at 18:56 -0500, mcneely4@cox.net wrote:
> ---- Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > 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.
>
> Mr. Squirrel, my '91 camper has tow loops on the front, as well.  What
>  do the shackles do that the tow loops could not do?  Sincerely,
>  mcneely

But second and third pic down show where shackles could be handy:

<http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=343910&highlight=griphoist>

-- RJS