Tow strap question

[chris in ky]

This sounds elementary, but every so often I need to pull someone out of a simple snowdrift or mud puddle, usually a car. Right now I have a decent tow strap and receiver d-ring, but how exactly do you pull a car out with only those transport tie-down hooks...or nothing? I can't thread the strap through those tiny hooks.

 

[JVC8790]

Sounds like you either need a shackle, or a hook of some kind to attach to the existing d-ring.

https://www.amazon.com/Shackle-Off-Road-Recovery-Titan-Auto/dp/B01A03OGA6

https://www.amazon.com/Driver-Recov...cable+hook&qid=1548078071&s=Automotive&sr=1-6

 

[chris in ky]

Thank you, the shackle d-ring makes sense now. Some of those car transport tie down holes are not very big.

 

[JVC8790]

Thank you, the shackle d-ring makes sense now. Some of those car transport tie down holes are not very big.

Yeah, some tow hooks are really small and even a big hook might not fit!

If you haven't already, there's a pretty active Facebook group called Bluegrass 4Runners with a bunch of guys from Louisville/Bowling Green area, just a heads up as I see you're in Louisville!

 

[chris in ky]

Thanks, I'll check it out!

 

[emmodg]

This sounds elementary, but every so often I need to pull someone out of a simple snowdrift or mud puddle, usually a car. Right now I have a decent tow strap and receiver d-ring, but how exactly do you pull a car out with only those transport tie-down hooks...or nothing? I can't thread the strap through those tiny hooks.

If you’re talking about the screw-in “eye bolts” that are often used a 3/4” screw pin shackle will fit. (Obviously you’ll have to insert the pin through the eye as the shackle won’t fit. Many, if not all cars, have shipping transport “keyways” in their frames used for shipping. You can actually buy a set of transport keys to fit these. Don’t be tempted to wrap straps around axles or tie rods or bumpers. And if you are using a tow strap then do just that - tow. Don’t try to snatch a vehicle with a static strap.

 

[Cranberry]

Sounds like you either need a shackle, or a hook of some kind to attach to the existing d-ring.

https://www.amazon.com/Shackle-Off-Road-Recovery-Titan-Auto/dp/B01A03OGA6

https://www.amazon.com/Driver-Recov...cable+hook&qid=1548078071&s=Automotive&sr=1-6

I would tend to agree. I personally run a 22,000 LB rated Shackle.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

I actually had a question about using this one my 4runner as a recovery point. Is there any reason that these wouldnt be sufficient if someone had to tow or winch me out of mud?

 

[dade73]

I actually had a question about using this one my 4runner as a recovery point. Is there any reason that these wouldnt be sufficient if someone had to tow or winch me out of mud?

Winching, maybe if done slowly and not jerked. The openings to connect to these are usually small. Towing, I would use a snatch strap instead of a tow strap since the snatch strap will stretch and wont overload the recovery point.

If you are looking to do some wheeling, you should look at getting some sort of descent recovery points added (front and read). Many aftermarket bumpers have these welded on, but there are also some bolt on recovery points as well that don't require a heavy bumper. For there rear there are a lot of ones that just simply go right into your tow hitch receiver.

 

[thenightman]

For the rear, put the loop end of the tow strap in the receiver hitch hole, and put the hitch pin in, through the loop. You can also wrap the strap around the receiver hitch tube. If you want to buy a cool device for the hitch, that's fine, but you don't need to.

 

[fourwd1]

This sounds elementary, but every so often I need to pull someone out of a simple snowdrift or mud puddle, usually a car. Right now I have a decent tow strap and receiver d-ring, but how exactly do you pull a car out with only those transport tie-down hooks...or nothing? I can't thread the strap through those tiny hooks.

First off, you have to understand there is a big difference between a "tow strap" and a "snatch" or "recovery" strap.
Two different things with different properties.

Make sure you have the proper strap for what you want to do.
Hooking it up is secondary.

 

[DigitalRJH]

Right...some have stretch and elasticty and some do not.