It makes no difference what type of tow vehicle you're using as long as it's capable of pulling and stopping; in the old days they were mostly standard transmission; it's all in the driver's ability of easing off the clutch, then increasing throttle as required.
It is much more important to know the turning limits; this is where an experience driver comes in.
As to shear pins, most vendors tow bars have them, most if not all home made bars don't.
Shear pin P/N: AN427-4 or -5 depending in the size of the bar....