School me on Tow Straps...

Liberty02sport · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:14 pm

OK now that I've got my front tow hooks on and about to install the rear hitch I'm in need of a little edu-ma-cation on tow straps .... as in which ones to get, which to avoid. Do I want a springy type recovery strap or just a ragular tow strap ?? How about strength rating ?? I'm seeing some that are rated by vehicle weight and then breaking strength (i.e. 9,500 rated for vehicle/ 14,000 breaking strength)

I tried the search function, but I must be doing it wrong 'cause I can't seem to turn up much...Thanks.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:25 pm

A tow strap has no stretch. A recovery strap does. Recovery straps are better...they'll hold up longer to snatching someone out of a mud hole. The ones I use are rated for at least 20,000 lbs. I get them at Tractor Supply Company and they have hoops sewn into each end for easier hook-up.

I learned the hard way to NEVER use a chain, or straps with metal hooks. I came close to having a metal hook in the back of my head one night. So I always use recovery straps with nothing but the fabric at each end.

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:50 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

A tow strap has no stretch. A recovery strap does. Recovery straps are better...they'll hold up longer to snatching someone out of a mud hole. The ones I use are rated for at least 20,000 lbs. I get them at Tractor Supply Company and they have hoops sewn into each end for easier hook-up.

I learned the hard way to NEVER use a chain, or straps with metal hooks. I came close to having a metal hook in the back of my head one night. So I always use recovery straps with nothing but the fabric at each end.

x2
Have fun & be safe out there!

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

I have this on my list of things to buy for my Jeep...

http://www.masterpull.com/item.cfm?itemid=47157

Vehicle wt. up to 8000lb.

P/N: M3000

Includes:

1: M-P Super-Yanker®
7/8" X 20' 28,500lb.
Kinetic Tow Rope

1: M-P Super-Yanker®
7/8" X 10' 28,500lb.
Tree saver / Bridle / Ext.

2: Van Beest 3/4" 62,700lb.
Screw pin shackles

1: M-P Accessories bag
-Black 17 X 7 X 8

had it recommended to me by a friend who's used his several times with great success.

Liberty02sport · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:29 pm

So no metal parts, and I probably want the recovery type strap that stretches some. I checked the link sota posted but when I saw the price there was a bit of sticker shock :lol:

I guess I should wait for the tractor supply store to open up and check there. I don't doubt that the Masterpull kit is quality, just a bit out of my budget right right now.

Is there a minimum strength limit I shouldn't go under ?? I realize the forces created when recovering a vehicle can be many times the base weight of the vehicle, but what is a good minimum and maximum ?? I'd rather break a strap than tear off the hitch or break something in the driveline because I went way overkill on the tow strap.

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:46 pm

A buddy of mine here has this one. Used many times, beach, mud, dirt, it works! (I'm not sure if that is the exact one, but it looks good)

IRONMAN Recovery Snatch Strap 17,600lb
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/IRONMAN- ... ccessories

And its 48$ shipped.

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

Liberty02Sport: yea it's not exactly cheap but if you go price stuff out it's not that bad really. you get alot of pieces in the kit and the bag to keep it all in plus your gloves and some other stuff if you need.

just throwing it out there.

GeoJeeper · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:18 pm

Totally agree with the No Hooks advice. Also, never, never, ever, never, ever let anybody strap onto the hitch ball. Seen another one this past summer that snapped off. I wasn't close enough to stop them in time and we watched the ball shoot right into the stuck truck's grill. Very, very dangerous.

Liberty02sport · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:50 am

Based on the replys here, I think this one might be good to go .......

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towing-Au ... -Eyes-2x25

Anybody see anything wrong with it that I'm missing ?? Look to be rated for what I expect it to do without going too big.

ridenby · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:57 am

http://www.bubbarope.com/

curt7088 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:18 am

Well some of you might disagree, i have a procomp recovery strap that a paid waaayyy too much for when i had my Ram 3500 and it cost soo much i avoid using it, and there happened to b a day where i needed to pull a frontier out of a muddy, nasty hole and ran to WALMART and got the strap they sell there it was a recovery strap with fabic loops i think it is called... recovery strap... quite original there and honestly it was the best investment i ever made, i used it time and again to pull out that 10k lb beast and my libby, and my ford ranger, and once on my own frontier which was in a pond and completely full of water ( cab and bed) it is just now starting to fray a little on one loop and i've had it for four years now and if it breaks tomorrow, i will buy another one... still have yet to even use my Pro Comp strap... i think it cost like 30 bucks tops... that and a couple clevis' and for 40 bucks ur good t' hook

SabaII · **Joined:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:48 am **Posts:** 62

First off I like this thread. I have searched before and could not come up with anything. I have but one question. The recovery straps with the hoops sewn in. Will those fit on the stock front tow hooks? Or should I make some with some larger clevis's?

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:11 pm

SabaII wrote:

First off I like this thread. I have searched before and could not come up with anything. I have but one question. The recovery straps with the hoops sewn in. Will those fit on the stock front tow hooks? Or should I make some with some larger clevis's?

You don't need a clevis, it's only required if you're trying to hook up to another clevis or a D-ring like what I have hanging behind my Jeep;

http://www.canam4x4.com/en/Receiver-Hitch-D-Ring/SA129312_Group-1.aspx

A simple recovery strap has the sewn loops at the ends and will slip easily over the front tow hooks. You don't need to buy a fancy brandname. There's plenty of good generic ones out there.
http://www.4wd.com/search.aspx?PN=1&kw=recovery+strap

Jackson02 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:02 pm

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/10-ton-tow-strap-by-grio.aspx?a=450228
What I use, worked good so far.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:22 am

http://www.tractorsupply.com/trailers-t ... bs-3040059

I use this. I wash it after each use in the mud and let it dry out so that the fabric doesn't rot. Then I keep it rolled up and stored in the Jeep.

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

Like everyone has said, never, never, ever, ever use hooks on the ends of straps. My neighbor across the street was pulling a stump out of his yard with a strap that had a hook on the end. It came loose and the hook ended up embedded in his knee.

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:56 pm

jimymc wrote:

Like everyone has said, never, never, ever, ever use hooks on the ends of straps. My neighbor across the street was pulling a stump out of his yard with a strap that had a hook on the end. It came loose and the hook ended up embedded in his knee.

Ouch!

XJMA · **Posted:** Sat Apr 02, 2011 1:33 am

I've never used any 'recovery straps' that have stretch...sure they work, but never seen one used. Closest thing I guess would be a 30' section of used ~1" diameter marine line for keeping a ship on a dock with two bowlines on each end....used it for serious recovery and for yanking down multiple shrubs and apple trees!! No idea what the original rating was but it takes a beating. Uncle accidentally nicked it with a chainsaw, just took 3' off and redited the end!!

Otherwise I ahve a collection of tow straps. Some are heavier duty than others. never hurts to have a bunch of tow straps, you never know how stuck someone will get....always happens when you don't expect it!! The heavier duty they are the more abuse they can take basically. Cheesy long ones will work fine for moderate recovery, but wouldn't trust them for life threatening situations....which happen. I have a couple of disused lifting straps, heavy duty stuff, you fold it, don't roll it up!! Rated for overhead lifting means that it can handle 2x pulling force (with safety factor). With my jeep locked f/r on Q78s I just keep a short strap on one of my rear shackles and then wrap it up on the roof so if someone behind me needs a tug, I just get like 15' away, take it off the roof, pull, and go. No need to whip out a 30-50' strap for your average 'guy just needs a little tug.'

I would start with a longer one, then get a short one and another long one. Have a mix, if you wheel enough you'll need em.

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

XJMA wrote:

I've never used any 'recovery straps' that have stretch...sure they work, but never seen one used. Closest thing I guess would be a 30' section of used ~1" diameter marine line for keeping a ship on a dock with two bowlines on each end....used it for serious recovery and for yanking down multiple shrubs and apple trees!! No idea what the original rating was but it takes a beating. Uncle accidentally nicked it with a chainsaw, just took 3' off and redited the end!!

Otherwise I ahve a collection of tow straps. Some are heavier duty than others. never hurts to have a bunch of tow straps, you never know how stuck someone will get....always happens when you don't expect it!! The heavier duty they are the more abuse they can take basically. Cheesy long ones will work fine for moderate recovery, but wouldn't trust them for life threatening situations....which happen. I have a couple of disused lifting straps, heavy duty stuff, you fold it, don't roll it up!! Rated for overhead lifting means that it can handle 2x pulling force (with safety factor). With my jeep locked f/r on Q78s I just keep a short strap on one of my rear shackles and then wrap it up on the roof so if someone behind me needs a tug, I just get like 15' away, take it off the roof, pull, and go. No need to whip out a 30-50' strap for your average 'guy just needs a little tug.'
I would start with a longer one, then get a short one and another long one. Have a mix, if you wheel enough you'll need em.

Yeah... Years ago when I had a Jeep Wagoneer I carried a piece of nylon line that was about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. It to, was used to tie up ships and was called a hawser. The old Wagoneer only had a 2WD and 4WD selection, with no low range. Like you, I used bowlines on either end and when someone got stuck I would leave a little slack and jump forward in 4WD. That hawser would stretch a bit, the Wagoneer would dig in and the the stuck vehicle would "POP" out of the hole. Wish I still had that piece of line.

School me on Tow Straps...

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