[browningbuck225]

im looking at one of these on ebay and it has a 40,000# breaking strength. is this enough to snatch and pull stuck vehicles without worrying about it breaking? i already have chain marks in the tailgate of my truck from this past weekend, and i dont want anymore.

 

[95DRW4x4]

It's best to have a recovery strap that will strech and one that doesn't have hooks on it. In many off road recoveries the pulling vehicle needs to be moving and the strap absorbs that energy , like a rubberband, and jerks the stuck vehice out. Chains and cables don't allow for this type recovery and that's why parts get broken and bent! Hooks on straps often become missiles and can go thru windshields. It's best to have "D" rings or some other type of secured fastener. Most stretch type recovery straps have loops on the end that can be secured on the vehicles tow hooks/points. A 4 inch strap at 40K is pretty hefty! I've used 2 inch 20K for pulling my Ranger (5K) for 16 years and it's never broken. I've even recovered full size K5s and F-series truck with it. Maybe a 3 inch 30K might be best for a heavy truck. You just want it to be able to strech a little otherwise you could use a chain!

 

[Matt0987]

It's best to have a recovery strap that will strech and one that doesn't have hooks on it. In many off road recoveries the pulling vehicle needs to be moving and the strap absorbs that energy , like a rubberband, and jerks the stuck vehice out. Chains and cables don't allow for this type recovery and that's why parts get broken and bent! Hooks on straps often become missiles and can go thru windshields. It's best to have "D" rings or some other type of secured fastener. Most stretch type recovery straps have loops on the end that can be secured on the vehicles tow hooks/points. A 4 inch strap at 40K is pretty hefty! I've used 2 inch 20K for pulling my Ranger (5K) for 16 years and it's never broken. I've even recovered full size K5s and F-series truck with it. Maybe a 3 inch 30K might be best for a heavy truck. You just want it to be able to strech a little otherwise you could use a chain!

Having never considered this.... Are there elasticity ratings on these straps that we should be aware of ? Or, anything else ?

 

[Matt0987]

It's best to have a recovery strap that will strech and one that doesn't have hooks on it. In many off road recoveries the pulling vehicle needs to be moving and the strap absorbs that energy , like a rubberband, and jerks the stuck vehice out. Chains and cables don't allow for this type recovery and that's why parts get broken and bent! Hooks on straps often become missiles and can go thru windshields. It's best to have "D" rings or some other type of secured fastener. Most stretch type recovery straps have loops on the end that can be secured on the vehicles tow hooks/points. A 4 inch strap at 40K is pretty hefty! I've used 2 inch 20K for pulling my Ranger (5K) for 16 years and it's never broken. I've even recovered full size K5s and F-series truck with it. Maybe a 3 inch 30K might be best for a heavy truck. You just want it to be able to strech a little otherwise you could use a chain!

What about length? I have to guess they come in different lengths, right? Or, are they all a standard (1) length?

 

[95DRW4x4]

Yes they come in different lengths. I've seen them in 20 and 30 foot lengths. As for elasticity, the higher the rating the less stretch your going to have on a lighter vehicle. If you go to pull a Smart car out of a ditch the 4 inch strap probably won't give much. The strech is not a lot just enough to prevent that sudden impact you get from a chain.

 

[browningbuck225]

yea the chain is not a good thing, i learned that this weekend the hard way, now there are dents running up my tailgate. I think im gonna get the 4"x30' which should definitely be plenty of snatching strength

 

[fireguywtc]

Having never considered this.... Are there elasticity ratings on these straps that we should be aware of ? Or, anything else ?

I am not sure of this, but the strech is not significant on this kind of material but a lot more forgiving then chains. IIRC these types of straps and such are rated with a 2to1 safety factor on the towing rating. However, if it says breaking strenght, that is what it is.

 

[Charlie]

I carry 3 straps in my ~26000 lb Unimog camper. A 2" Masterpull kinetic rope(131K breaking strength) for bigger trucks than me; a 40mm Marlow kinetic rope (66K) for trucks my size and somewhat smaller; and a 1-1/8" (~33K) rope made up by a rigging shop for pickup sized vehicles.
If EITHER the puller or the pullee is smaller, the snatch strap can be safely sized for the smaller vehicle. Think about the boundary condition of either vehicle being infinitely heavy; the limiting factor is the weight of the lighter vehicle and its' effective coefficient of friction ("stuck factor", which can be up to 3 for deep mud).
I also carry 3 X 1-1/4" Crosby shackles primarily to rig the 2" rope. They have a safe working load of 12 tons and breaking strength of 144K lb, > than the rope. They also weigh 9.5 lb each.

Charlie

 

[choff12]

Im using the ARB snatch strap (ARB715) and its pulled a few framed super duties out of the thick south Florida mud. I also use D ring receiver hitches and that setup hasent failed me yet***
Tow/Recovery Straps

 

[NEVERSWEAT7]

I have different length and different rated straps for my rigs. The jeep is 20K the 350 was 30K , 450 is 40K I try to keep as close to as possible a 4 to 1 safety rating. Most likely will never get to 2/3 of rated pull but it is a just in case or better yet, a case by case scenario.

I have been working in the recovery business with my rigs for 35 years and also agree no two hooks. I use clevis pins ( shakle brakets/d rings) secured to woven in eyesplices found in ARB and Warn products to secure the set up. It is true acceleration will telegraph pull force to object stuck but you do not want so much line out to attain such a speed that will seperate tow components from their structural anchors.

I also use winches with at least 3 to 1 MAs to ease the object from its earthen grip. Nice slow smooth action that way. The strap is a little more dynamic.

 

[BubbaZ71Tahoe]

Hey man.. me and my buddies have popped a bunch of straps.. my heavy tahoe has popped a 4inch and a couple 3 inch straps..

After having popped a bunch my buddy went to Shannon Hardware in Lafayette and bought 100ft of like 2inch tugboat rope... We braided loops to the ends for shackles and have been using it ever since... I highly suggest it.... it streches like a rubber band!

 

[Matt0987]

Hey man.. me and my buddies have popped a bunch of straps.. my heavy tahoe has popped a 4inch and a couple 3 inch straps..

After having popped a bunch my buddy went to Shannon Hardware in Lafayette and bought 100ft of like 2inch tugboat rope... We braided loops to the ends for shackles and have been using it ever since... I highly suggest it.... it streches like a rubber band!

Is this the same company???

www.shannonhardware.com

 

[BubbaZ71Tahoe]

yea thats the hardware store...

 

[NEVERSWEAT7]

I understand popping but you have to hit it fairly hard to get that action. That is unless you have collected some faulty straps. I have never done it but who knows.. maybe I was lucky in the order.

I used to have a piece of elastic rope designed for pulling big electric wire through conduit. It was some of the most awesome elasticity on the planet. I would love to get another chunk of it and keep around.

 

[MonteCarlo31]

Im using the ARB snatch strap (ARB715) and its pulled a few framed super duties out of the thick south Florida mud. I also use D ring receiver hitches and that setup hasent failed me yet***
Tow/Recovery Straps

Snapped one of those clean in half with only a 1/2 F-150. I'll never use the cheap crap again. I've upgraded twice. I went to this TSC 6" 55K strap. Almost broke that and have since got a Master pull 74K lb recovery strap With the master pull you'll pull out a tow point or two (pulled one out of a F-550 with the master pull), the strap was still fine.

There is a place in Tampa, FL called Certified Slings that will also make similar straps. I know that the master pull is pricey but all you have to do is break a strap once to be at a 500 dollar deductible or worse really hurt or KILL someone

 

[95DRW4x4]

There is a point where you stop using a snatch strap and go to a winch! Like NEVERSWEAT7 said it's a nice steady even pull, that way you have less broken parts.

 

[knoweigh]

I do alot of rock crawling, trail riding etc with my modified toyota...so I see very little thick mud but I do use a winch with snatch blocks quite often.
As far as snatch straps, back in the day in my younger years I'd love to bury my stock toyota in 2ft of mud and we used 2" for those lighter trucks;
4" for full size;
However, different strap makers use different thicknesses too...
for instance, I've got a 4" from Loading Ramps, Hauling, Transport, & Skateboard Ramp Superstore - Discount Ramps.com that I keep in my super duty but it's relatively thin.....most likely comparable to a 3" white strap from TSC.
But, for the money, can't go wrong.
I've got alot from discount ramps and have been very happy with their service.

 

[choff12]

Snapped one of those clean in half with only a 1/2 F-150. I'll never use the cheap crap again. I've upgraded twice. I went to this TSC 6" 55K strap. Almost broke that and have since got a Master pull 74K lb recovery strap With the master pull you'll pull out a tow point or two (pulled one out of a F-550 with the master pull), the strap was still fine.

There is a place in Tampa, FL called Certified Slings that will also make similar straps. I know that the master pull is pricey but all you have to do is break a strap once to be at a 500 dollar deductible or worse really hurt or KILL someone

I would rather break my snatch strap then pull out a tow point, but thats just me. It seems like it would be alot cheaper to replace the $75 snatch strap then a ripped out tow point. On the subject of injuries as long as everyone is at a safe distance a snatch strap is alot less harmless than a tow hook/loop flying through the air. I still wouldnt want to nailed by a snatch strap though.

If I cant recover a stuck vehicle after 2-3 snatches its time to bust out the shovel and 2x6s. A winch would definitely be the way to go but I just cant justify spending 2000k+ on a winch setup when I can effectively spend about 150 on a nice strap, a few shovels, and a couple planks of wood. I will say that ive been in a few situations where digging is not and option and thats when I wish I had a beefier strap. As long as you take good care of the strap and keep most of the dirt out it will last you a long time.

 

[CowKiller]

i have broken 3 inch straps yanking people out with my 6.9. in my box i carry 1 3inch 30 footer, and 2 6 inch wide 30 footers. also have enough clevises to hook all three together and still have extras. also a 20 foot chain just in case.

some say overkill, but i have a dent on the back of my old cab from a 20000lb rated to hook i tore out of the frame on a blazer. scares the hell outa ya when that hits the cab.

 

[LandShark-47]

FWIW dirt and grease contaminate the strap. Be sure you maintain your straps like any other piece of equipment. Some grease and anti freeze can seriously damage the material also.