What strength recovery strap do I need?

The rule for sizing straps is that for every inch of width, the strap gains a strength of 10,000 pounds. Thus, a strap that is three inches wide has a rating of 30,000 pounds. When purchasing a recovery strap, make sure that you acquire one that is rated three times your vehicle’s weight.

What is the difference between a tow strap and recovery strap?

As the name might imply, a recovery strap is strong enough to “recover” a vehicle from a tough spot, for example pulling out a truck from a muddy bank. On the other hand, tow straps are excellent at towing vehicles, but not at recovering them! Tow straps are, as the name suggests, designed for towing.

When should a recovery strap be placed?

Recovery tow straps are used to “recover” a vehicle, mainly when one is stuck in a ditch or in the mud. If you want to forgo the use of a tow truck then you can use a recovery strap. Obviously, you’ll need the help of another vehicle in order to make use of the recovery strap.

How long do recovery straps last?

The 10 year rule came from previous studies and is now believed it should actually be 6 years.

How do I choose a recovery rope?

However, from experience we recommend that the best method in selecting the right rope is by multiplying the weight of the vehicle you are recovering by 3 or 4 times and then selecting the rope that has a breaking strength that is equal to or higher than that number.

What size recovery shackles do I need?

Shackles with a rating of at least 3.25t should be the minimum and are suitable for attaching one end of a strap. 4.75t rated shackles have a larger eye and are more suited to applications such as tree trunk protectors where two ends of the strap are fitted in the shackle. Never over-tighten the shackle pin.

Is a tow strap better than a tow rope?

If you’re doing a slow pull or tow on the stuck vehicle, with little effort, a tow strap is fine. If you need to “yank” the stuck vehicle free with a lot of brute force, sometimes doing several attempts to break it free, you need to use a Snatch Rope / Strap. Tow Ropes and Snatch Ropes are rated by Break Strength.

Can a tow strap be used for recovery?

Although tow straps are not technically recovery straps, they are still useful in a recovery situation. The main difference that separates a tow strap from a recovery strap is the amount of “give” each strap possesses. Tow straps contain little to no elasticity making them perfect for towing vehicles.

Are tow straps safe?

The safe working load limits of tow straps with hooks average around 3,000 lbs. and they have an average minimum breaking strength of 10,000 lbs. You will not need to do the math to see how dangerous this can be.

How strong should a recovery rope be?

When choosing the size of your Kinetic Recovery Rope, the breaking strength should be approximately 3 times the weight of the vehicle you are pulling. For example if the Jeep or truck you are recovering weighs 4,000 lbs., you would multiply that by 3.0 (4,000 lbs x 3.0 = 12,000 lbs.)