What do I look for in a tow strap?

[siume99]

I'm looking at getting one before the real snow flies.  Not that I'm planning on bailing myself out, just the cute women.    I'd settle for being late to work to brighten a lady's day!  Anyways, I've seen a lot to choose from.  Braided rope, nylon straps, tow straps with and without hooks, different weights, and different lengths.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I'm leaning more to a 30' nylon strap, with hooks if I can find that combo (unsure on the weight).  I don't want a massive "pull the town tow truck out" sized strap.  But, one that is compact and still gets the job done.  BTW I don't plan on seriously "mudding" either.

[Kansas Kid]

I will tell you what I have, which seems to me to be about the perfect setup.  Not only in my opinion, but alot of the truck guys I know as well.  For the strap I have a 25ft strap that is rated at 25000lbs.  It is approximately 4" wide and a between 1/4 and 3/8" thick  (can't remember off hand), with braided loops on both ends.  It cost about $35 at the local farm supply store.  I also bought a clevis to hook the strap to my rear bumper.  Works much better then having a hook on the ends of the strap, not to mention safer.  Just loop the strap around something solid on the stuck vehicle and take both ends of the strap back to your bumper.  Makes for a very quick hookup and realease.  Thats my $.02...

[TheScaryGuy]

After getting stuck really bad once and after 2 25,000lb tow straps i bit the bullet and got a (i believe) 50,000 lb tow strap, I think it cost me 50-65 bucks, its 6 inches wide, i can't even guess at how thick, just thick.  Personally i'd never use chains, if they break they can kill someone.  I use a tie down buckle thingie to hook the two loops from the strap together.  Its a bit of a overkill, but hey whatca gunna do?  ;)

[siume99]

So what you are saying, the two heavy duty black bungies won't work?  ???   I was initially looking at a 30' 20,000lb 2"wide strap for around $30 (it had no hooks).  Do you guys attach the strap to both tow hooks on your truck?  At first I thought the "I'm not going mudding" excuse had a place here.  But then after thinking, getting stuck in a drift or a ditch is the same as getting stuck while mudding (but probably with fewer buddies along and less beer   )

[Kansas Kid]

Do you guys attach the strap to both tow hooks on your truck?

I've never pulled anything out of the ditch going in reverse, so I wouldn't know.  I've always pulled stuff out in drive with both ends of the strap attached to the rear bumper via a clevis.

[XSaNiTy]

i keep a 20' 20000lb and a 30' 20000lb in the truck, that covers almost anything.  the 20' has hooks and is the most useful for pulling out cars, etc that arent very stuck and/or dont have tow hooks (not many people do).  the 30' is more for offroad use and a bit overkill for rescuing girls  

[XSaNiTy]

Do you guys attach the strap to both tow hooks on your truck?  

i use just one when pulling somebody out in reverse, works just fine.  if you had 2 straps you could put one between your hooks and attach another to that in the middle for a straighter pull, but thats a bit overkill again

[doverarjim]

I use a 2 inch wide tow strap that has loops on both ends, it depends on what is stuck and how bad as to how to hook up.  A little truck or car I'll loop it over the rear axel and pull it through the loop in the end and throw the other loop over my trailer ball.  If it is a little bigger I'll loop it over and put both ends on my trailer ball.  I saw one just like it at Lowes for $22.00 today.  The one I have is about 8 years old and has been used about 3 or 4 times a month since new.  I pulled the rear end of my sons Nissian off the ground with it the last time he got stuck.

[siume99]

8 years old and has been used about 3 or 4 times a month since new

Ohh.....My.......Goodness!!  Is pulling people out of trouble a 2nd job for you.    jk  That reminds me....I need to get a ball and hitch too!  Great, more money to invest in my truck!  

[HillHound]

I keep a 20 foot section of log chain in my truck.   Every tow strap I've had has frayed so bad from rubbing the ground etc that I quit fooling with them.  Just a matter of personal preference I guess.

 

On the other hand, take a look at this:

Warn Reciever Shackle

 

Nice if you have a tow hitch installed and gives you a nice solid place to hook a strap or chain with no worry of damaging a bumper or frame part.   I just ordered a new one from Cabela's because my dad *ahem* borrowed mine...about 6 months ago!  

[DigUout]

Whatever you get, I would suggest steering clear of straps with hooks.  Look for one with looped ends.  There is always the chance a strap could break and the hook could recoil into the vehicle or a nearby person.  Just about anything you read regarding using tow straps, from professionals, will tell you to stay away from hooks.  I purchased a 30' strap at a NAPA store for about $35 -

[siume99]

There is always the chance a strap could break and the hook could recoil into the vehicle or a nearby person.

That is a very important note, I forgot in my researching last night I stumbled across http://www.asa4wdc.org/saf/recovery.html

Its from Arizona State Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc.

Here's a quote from there, "For example, if the towing vehicle weighs 3,000 lbs. and is moving at just 10 mph when the anchor breaks, a 3 lb. shackle will become a cruise missile flying at over 300 mph.  Just as a piece of straw can penetrate through a telephone pole at this speed during a tornado.  So will the cruise missile strap blast through a vehicle.  The message here is:  If you're going to use the recovery strap, know how it works."

I think I'm going to stay away from hooks, but that Warn Receiver Shackle looks cool.

[chevy4x4trucks]

I've got a 12' one w/ hooks on the ends for general pulling.  I've got to get another one rated for 30,000 or more w/ loops on the ends.

 

Unless you don't have a choice, never pull someone out in reverse.  All of you power is in drive, even go to 3 or 2 and put it in 4x4 if need be.  Remember, be carefull and go easy on the gas.  If you pull too hard you would be more likely to snap the tow strap.

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com is a good place to find them.

[Jpshostr]

Find yourself the nearest Farm and Fleet, I know there is one near you siume99, and buy their towstrap that you will find in the automotive section.  It is the best that we have found, and works well for all sorts of uses other than vehicle recovery (although these are uses that you will not likely come across).  They are pretty inexpensive, and pretty durable.

 

As for the tow hooks, we usually just tug from one of them.  Almost all of our stucks where we pull from the front come on a greasy hill or something similar, so we are also pulling uphill in addition to forward.  Pulling from an angle helps pop it up a lot faster.  Keep a clevis with the strap, don't ever think about looping over a ball.  As for the two vehicle, almost all the time we use a tractor, but back when I had my Blazer we used in pulling in reverse several times, never had a problem.

[Chief Smallfire]

While this won't help when rescueing damsels in distress, I ask the stuckee to attach the strap to their vehicles themselves.  I'd hate to be responsible for pulling their car apart.