The stock front tow point on a vanagon I have found to be surprisingly strong so I would feel fine using it as a tow point and with a shackle.
As for the rear tow bar I would not use that as a tow point for extraction purposes by pulling from the tow ball.� the tow hitch will break in 2!
If using a tow strap only hook it and pull from where the hitch is bolted to the vans rear tow hook
Brady

----- Original Message -----
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 11:39 AM
Subject: Place to mount shackles?

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