Recovery straps...?

[Daven]

Ok, so i have a 4x4 so in turn have had to help pull some people out lol I only had a little tiny rope that my dad randomly found in his car (apeared from nowhere ), but that was real small and ended up breaking with the slightest tug. I knew that would happen, but i figured i would use it until it did lol

So now i am in the market for a new recovery strap. I dont know much about them other than the idea behind them that the elasticity of it will more than double the force and in turn, pull the other vehicle out. I'm only 16, so i do not have a whole lot of experience in this... but i have seen and done recoveries where just lining up and pulling just wouldnt cut it. And that what got the vehicle free was takign a run at it and yanking it free from the rut, etc.

So what am i looking to get? Just one of the 30,000lb ones on this site that is about 3" i beleive? Or would i want a thicker one to be able to do a bit of a tug to get free without breaking the rope? I am asuming that a thicker rope would cancel out the elasticity.

Also, if you have any tips and/or past experiences with pulling people out and think that could help me, that would be great. Thanks

 

[02RangerXLT]

Make sure you get a strap with loops on both ends, NO HOOKS. Get a D-ring receiver hitch for your pickup, and then something else that can attach to anyone else's vehicle that will go through the loop of the strap without tearing it.

 

[84stealthranger]

there is some rope called bubba rope. but im sure u could find something cheaper then that

 

[xkotyx]

heavy chain! i carry a heavy 20' chain behind my passenger seat at all times just in case. and if im going off roading, i also carry my heavy duty come-a-long and hi-lift.

but anyways, chains ftw!

 

[Daven]

I know not to go with a chain or metal hook, as i like living...

And i just attach the rope to my frame underneath as it is easily assesable and obviously wont just rip off lol

So what i am mainly wanting to know is what type is best to go with? Can i get a higher rated one so i can give them a good tug to get them loose without loosing the whole point behind it? lol

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

heavy chain! i carry a heavy 20' chain behind my passenger seat at all times just in case. and if im going off roading, i also carry my heavy duty come-a-long and hi-lift.

but anyways, chains ftw!

SCARY. good for towing a buddy home but not good for recovery. search on youtube for "tow chain breaks" and you'll think twice

getting a running start and yanking with a chain carries the chance of snapping the chain and send it whipping back at either truck or bystanders. i've been one of those bystanders when trying to pull stumps, we had a HUGE chain and a f350 with barely a rolling start and that thing snapped and went flying back into the f350, luckily the truck had a super heavy duty "bumper" on the rear its a flatbed

dedicated recovery straps also carry this risk, but they are designed to absorb the sudden jolt of force and stretch. a strap would also not do as much damage hitting your body as a heavy chain or hook slamming into you at high velocity.

as for the original question, there is a selection of recovery straps (usually keeper) at most auto parts stores for $30-$40. i think 3" would be ideal and as has been said, get the ones with the loop and not metal hooks

also the points where you attach the strap is important too, it must be strong enough for the load. the frame is ideal. you're not supposed to use a trailer hitch but most people do and don't have any problems

 

[Bennybooster]

My current one was a 2in 20000 lb one, worked great, although I had to be towed all over town with it while my engine was hydrolocked, needless to say its really haggard, I'm going to get a 3in strap next

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I always had a tow strap with hooks on either end. Never hurt anyone's ride....and I pulled out my fair share of vehicles from the ditch.

A good 30,000 pounder is quite sufficient to do the job unless you plan on pulling rigs out of the ditch. lol.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I always had a tow strap with hooks on either end. Never hurt anyone's ride....and I pulled out my fair share of vehicles from the ditch.

A good 30,000 pounder is quite sufficient to do the job unless you plan on pulling rigs out of the ditch. lol.

 

[Daven]

SCARY. good for towing a buddy home but not good for recovery. search on youtube for "tow chain breaks" and you'll think twice

getting a running start and yanking with a chain carries the chance of snapping the chain and send it whipping back at either truck or bystanders. i've been one of those bystanders when trying to pull stumps, we had a HUGE chain and a f350 with barely a rolling start and that thing snapped and went flying back into the f350, luckily the truck had a super heavy duty "bumper" on the rear its a flatbed

dedicated recovery straps also carry this risk, but they are designed to absorb the sudden jolt of force and stretch. a strap would also not do as much damage hitting your body as a heavy chain or hook slamming into you at high velocity.

as for the original question, there is a selection of recovery straps (usually keeper) at most auto parts stores for $30-$40. i think 3" would be ideal and as has been said, get the ones with the loop and not metal hooks

also the points where you attach the strap is important too, it must be strong enough for the load. the frame is ideal. you're not supposed to use a trailer hitch but most people do and don't have any problems

Ya im definately staying away from chains. So with a standard 3" strap would i be able to take a bit of a run at it? You guys do understand what i am meaning by that right? lol Such as i was in the ditch one time and this guy had to pull me out, and just lining up did nothing and he just spun on the spot. But he took runs at it and it yanked my out of where i was stuck and with th combined power i got out eventually.

I mainly dont want to break another rope lol

EDIT: Btw, im not talking lining up bumper to bumper and gunning it as a "run" But a good tug to pull the vehicle loose lol

 

[4.0B2]

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-CC330-30-Recovery-Strap/dp/B001CF4UXU/?tag=959media-20

smittybilt my brother.. i have one that i aint broke yet.. and its about the cheapest one i can find in 3 inch.
and get some d-rings or tow points, and bolt them to the frame, it makes life easier at times.
no tow strap is made for snatching on!!!

for a snatch strap ARB is the way to go
http://www.amazon.com/ARB-Snatch-Strap-30-24000lbs/dp/B0010E1MGG/?tag=959media-20

 

[Daven]

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-CC330-30-Recovery-Strap/dp/B001CF4UXU/?tag=959media-20

smittybilt my brother.. i have one that i aint broke yet.. and its about the cheapest one i can find in 3 inch.
and get some d-rings or tow points, and bolt them to the frame, it makes life easier at times.
no tow strap is made for snatching on!!!

I am guessing the d-rings would be a little bit difficult to do right? How do they work? Thanks for the link

 

[Daven]

Also, whats with there being recovery straps and "snatch" straps? Whats the difference? Uses? I heard that snatch straps can be a little more dangerous, how come?

 

[4.0B2]

snatch straps stretch and then pull, to "double" the pulling power. i've never used one so.... i've always used the smittybilt recovery after i broke 2 autozone 30k straps. a regular recovery strap doesn't stretch so if you jerk on it, it jerks the stuck vehicle out.. so.. i've abused my smittybilt and its been fine.

 

[84stealthranger]

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-CC330-30-Recovery-Strap/dp/B001CF4UXU/?tag=959media-20

smittybilt my brother.. i have one that i aint broke yet.. and its about the cheapest one i can find in 3 inch.
and get some d-rings or tow points, and bolt them to the frame, it makes life easier at times.
no tow strap is made for snatching on!!!

for a snatch strap ARB is the way to go
http://www.amazon.com/ARB-Snatch-Strap-30-24000lbs/dp/B0010E1MGG/?tag=959media-20

thanks for the links