My question is which method would be better when hooking up a recovery strap/s to a vehicle that's stuck in the ditch, mud, or snow. My question isn't the hook up to the pull vehicle, but on the vehicle that's being recovered.
Hook up #1: use one strap and use a recovery point on the vehicle that's being pulled out.
Hook up #2: use 2 straps. The first strap would be used on 2 recovery points and joined at the front to form a Y shape. The second strap would get joined to the first one, and that would be connected to the pull vehicle. I'm thinking this method would be better because it would distribute the weight more properly. The force is taking place on 2 sides instead of just 1 like the first method.
Thoughts?
recovery straps
- Thread starter simple
- Start date
The 2nd would be better but realistically you're lucky digging around under the bumper etc to find just one tow hook.
Unless you have a jeep with 'em built into the bumpers, but then, how would you get stuck?
The good samaritan towing you out would start losing patience if you're hooking up something complicated, so it would be better to have it all set up, standing on the shoulder with the hook ready for his vehicle.
I practice recovery in some form almost everytime I go out wheeling. Use method one. Recovery straps are not designed for forces like method two. A strap is designed to stretch as the recovering vehicle pulls, and then contracts, yanking the stuck vehicle out. You will need a slight running start for a good pull, anywhere from 3-6 feet. Also, do NOT use straps with hooks or attach a strap to a hitch ball! These can end up being 1 or 2 pound projectiles!
Zaedock, I appreciate your input. I really do. Listen, I'm not saying you're wrong, but how would you describe the link below then? He's using method 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISdDPliZSA
My experience with a lot of snowbelt rescues...
1. straps are nice in that they have some give and don't give as much whiplash. (talking about your average AAP strap with hooks on both ends).
2. however, they snap almost every time you get slack and then have to "catch" the towing vehicle as the line goes taut.
3. otoh, steel cables last and last, but don't have a safety factor of snapping before something important on the car. Good to use only after you've used straps for a while.
4. I've never used fancy rigging like #2. #2 could make a good slingshot as first strap will have less force than second; 2nd snaps and the elasticity of #1 launches #2 through a windshield. BOTH ENDS must be secure in the event of snap.
M
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Originally Posted By: simple
Zaedock, I appreciate your input. I really do. Listen, I'm not saying you're wrong, but how would you describe the link below then? He's using method 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISdDPliZSA
Originally Posted By: meep
1. straps are nice in that they have some give and don't give as much whiplash. (talking about your average AAP strap with hooks on both ends).
Originally Posted By: meep
2. however, they snap almost every time you get slack and then have to "catch" the towing vehicle as the line goes taut.
Originally Posted By: meep
3. otoh, steel cables last and last, but don't have a safety factor of snapping before something important on the car. Good to use only after you've used straps for a while.
With my jeep and f250, offroading was a weekly thing.
To pull someone out I would use my tow hooks on the jeep, or tow points on the truck. I would put the strap on to the tow points or hooks on the other car.
Worked every time.
Now one time in my jeep I was stuck in a 3 foot mud pond. The only way for a truck to get to me was at the rear. And there was no point back there for the tow strap. So I had to wrap the strap around the rear axle. NOT FUN IN 3 FEET OF MUD!!!
I was scared, but I had to get the jeep out. It worked GREAT. Nothing broke and I drove that jeep for another 20,000 miles before trading it in.
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
[quote=simple]Zaedock, I appreciate your input. I really do. Listen, I'm not saying you're wrong, but how would you describe the link below then? He's using method 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISdDPliZSA
Call a wrecker. I have seen to many "do gooders" create way more damage than you could imagine.
theirs ALOT of physics in a proper recovery that most people will never understand.
LEAVE IT TO THE PRO's
Having pulled out many small cars/trucks and two articulated single-axle trucks with my F250SD, I always go for one chain/strap hooked up to the best point on the towee. Yank only when absolutely required and the hookup point won't go flying.
I have an assortment of clevis' and hooks, as well as chain, polypropolene w/hook at each end, and a couple of straps. The poly w/hooks has been invaluable for pulling stumps and bushes out of the ground, and I've used it on the smaller cars. I think they work pretty well, but the straps and chain come out for anything heavy.
Like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19hUTpbm9OM
Originally Posted By: cousincletus
Like this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19hUTpbm9OM
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