i read the pirate thing, but am still wondering what is the point of the stick? it appears they said to get the straps apart? i have used the loop through technigue for several things (not tow straps though) and have never had an issue with them not coming back apart
stick is in there so the straps dont sinch down tight on each other, and allows you to get them back apart. On the clevis/shackle question, the rating on the clevis or shackle is going to be more than a nylon strap BUT if the strap let go, one of the straps is going to have that shackle connected to it with some force behind it and head right back in the direction of the pull, RAPIDLY!!!!
. my vote is strap on strap
