tow strap help

M

Muffin-Man

New member
Ok so I just got my jumper cables in (last time i was at the desert my battery went dead twice from playing music too long without the engine running, luckly there were nice neighbors with jumper cables) and now I am in need of a good set of tow straps since I have had to pull other people out of the sand before using their tow straps. I buy all my stuff off of amazon.com and I was browsing and saw some for like 25 feet and 15k towing weight. My question is what is the best tow straps that you offroaders out there have used, and what is the easiest to use, since i have never attached tow straps so I really dont know anything about them. I dont want to go way overkill but I dont want to undercut myself. Also I wanted to know how exactly you use tow straps, I know you NEVER attach them to the bumper, only the frame, but how do you use the loops in it to attach? Thanks for the help fellas.
 
Register to hide this ad
ProMed said:
A shackle in your tow hitch receiver would be a good idea if you plan on using a tow strap.
Click to expand...

do I absolutely HAVE to use a reciever shackle? can I just use the tow ring on the drivers side if I were to pull someone out, or just tie the tow strap to my frame somehow?
 
Are you looking for a tow strap or a recovery (snatch) strap?

Look similar, big difference. Keeper Corp makes good snsatch straps.
 
I usually just wrap it around either my tow bar or hitch ball but not the ring...itll either cut your rope or in my case bent the ring haha
 
As fourwd1 said, there is a difference between a tow strap and a snatch strap.
Use a tow strap for towing something that is not stuck, like a disabled vehicle. Once the strap is connected, slowly take out the slack and gently start 'pulling'. Always try to avoid slack in the strap. I sometimes use a tow strap or chain to drag fallen trees of the road or drag firewood to my campfire.
Use a snatch strap for recovering a stuck vehicle (like a jeep, hehehe). The snatch strap acts like a big rubber band, it has elastic properties. Once the vehicles are attached, leave about 1 cars length of slack and then drive off steadily. As the strap takes up the tension, the strap will stretch and (hopefully) apply enough force to 'pop' the stuck vehicle out of trouble. These work very well.

If you have hooks on you vehicle, simply put the strap loops onto the hooks. If you have or loops or rings on your vehicle, then use a shackle to join the strap to the loop or ring.
Factory 'tie down' loops are generally strong enough to deal with average forces, but not strong enough to deal with repeated heavy use. Always inspect them after use. The 120 series Prados had problems with the tie down loops being very weak and they were not recommended for recovery use. Many people had warranty claims rejected after their loops tore away from the chassis during snatch strap use.
By the way, if you ever need to join two snatch straps together for extra length, NEVER join them with a shackle. If a strap breaks or a loop fails, the shackle will become a missile and usually ends up going through a windshield.
Also, NEVER use a snatch strap to extend a winch cable. You can use a tow strap though because it does not stretch.
 
Last edited:
Good job expanding on my post, I was in a hurry so didn't go into detail.

One thing, the tie down points on most vehicles are no way strong enough to use for snatching, or even towing.

The axle, no on that too.
 
fourwd1 said:

The axle, no on that too.
Click to expand...

Definately not.
I did come across a good samaritan once trying to help a stuck GQ Patrol. Sadly, he thought the tie rod and drag link were great attachment points. As I pulled up I was suprised to see the front wheels turning towards themselves as the steering system was slowly being wrecked!

I just bought a new snatch strap today, so I'm off to Paragon on saturday to 'hopefully not' use it...
 
I know the front tie down loops are not a good place to attach a recovery strap but I do not see a good place to attach it on the front of the vehicle. Any ideas short of a ARB bumper?
 
Thanks for the great info guys!! So what I need is a definetly a snatch strap, but a tow strap is probably not bad to have on hand, I will just make sure not to use it to pull out a stuck vehicle. I just need to know what a good tow strap is to buy and a good snatch strap to buy. I also don't want to buy shackles, i would much rather just tie the tow strap/snatch strap to an acceptably strong point on my front or rear frame. Can one of you tell me a good tow/snatch spot on the 4runner? Thanks again for the info!!
 
Im not totally familiar with the factory recovery points on the 4th gen 4runners, but from what I've seen in a few pictures, all they have are two loops welded to the underside of the chassis at the front (not sure about the back). They will cope with light duty use but as I said earlier, repeated heavy use may cause problems. Maybe a search of the forums will give you some better info on these recovery points and other options.
I understand that you dont want shackles (not sure why?), but unless you have something like a recovery hook bolted to the chassis, or a tow ball, then you really have no option. Do not tie a strap to something with a knot. A knot in a rope/strap will weaken it by about 30-40%. Also, the knot will tighten up so much when you put it under load that you will never get it untied again.
There is a snatch strap on the market that can thread back on itself to create a loop after it has gone around an anchor point. I cant remember what its called but it was over $100. This would suit you for a shackless application. I have seen them at Meridian Offroad in PA. Call them if you would like more details. 724 285 5082
 
Ok, it looks like I will need 2 shackles. What are 2 good shackles I can get and a good recovery strap and a good tow strap?
 
Maybe you could check out Off Road Warehouse in San Diego www.offroadwarehouse.com They might be near you...??
I have also just seen that strap I was describing on their site. The brand name is Beard.
If you visit a retail store somewhere, Im sure the guys that work there will be able to set you up with what you need. I have always found staff at offroad shops to be friendly and passionate about 4wding.
All my recovery gear is from ARB.
 
Thanks for the info!! The San Diego store is about 15 mins away from my house. I will definetly make a trip there either this weekend or next to pick up a recovery strap and shackles. Thanks for the help it is much appreciated!
 
I would highly recommend purchasing the hitch receiver shackle as opposed to the front loops or anywhere on the frame. You can find them online (do a search from www.froogle.com) for under $40... or check a local shop.
 
generally, i have a d ring for the vehicle im draggin out. as for my vehicle, i put the loop of the strap into the reciever hitch and slide the hitch pin thru the loop. ive never had a problem with that
 
ObeseFieldMouse said:
generally, i have a d ring for the vehicle im draggin out. as for my vehicle, i put the loop of the strap into the reciever hitch and slide the hitch pin thru the loop. ive never had a problem with that
Click to expand...

Those pins will bend if you have to put a good yank on someone....once they bend you will have to get it cut to remove it.Not saying dont do it ...just my .02
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 426 (members: 4, guests: 422)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,304
Messages
3,554,033
Members
248,014
Latest member
xf-bot+t4r

Share this page

Back
Top