advice on bridle straps

[BreakingBad]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a bridle strap and I'm seeking advice on which is the best type, particularly advantages/disadvantages of stretch versus non-stretch.

Is stretch better for snatch recoveries? And is non-stretch better for winching?

Can they be used for both styles of recovery?


Cheers

Wayne

[incisor]

me personally

i used a non stretch unit

i eventually went for a 2 leg galv wire rope unit as it ensured i got a straighter pull.

[buddha D2]

Non stretch.....that's what the snatchum's for.........I use a dyneema rope bridle which I got from ARB in Ballarat......came with 2 x rated shackles but you have to have 2 x rated recovery points too

[Hymie]

Non stretch.

[Old Farang]

I find that a two legged chain sling works, similar to the wire rope sling but easier to stow and carry. They come with a single "eye" with hooks on the ends of the legs.

[Tank]

Personal choice, as long as it is Non-Stretch, but have it (bridle) as long as possible to keep the angle (top of triangle formed) to as far below 90 degrees as possible, 30 to 45 degrees or less ideal, Regards Frank.

[BreakingBad]

Personal choice, as long as it is Non-Stretch, but have it (bridle) as long as possible to keep the angle (top of triangle formed) to as far below 90 degrees as possible, 30 to 45 degrees or less ideal, Regards Frank.

Looks like the consensus is non-stretch - thanks everyone.

So is this just marketing or is there actually engineering science behind it?


Recovery Bridle - 4x4 Accessories - Recovery Gear - 4wd Recovery Gear | 4wd Accessories | 4wd Equipment and Camping Gear Australia | Axe and Shovel Holder | Combo Shovel | Synthetic Winch Rope | Camping Lights| Autofridge Eutectic Refrigerators|Pillo (http://www.4x4equip.com.au/4wd-camping/4x4+Accessories/Recovery+Gear/IDH-23-6)

[MLD]

I thought that a tree protector strap is also equally suitable as a bridle. The recovery kit I bought promoted the tree protector as dual purpose. cheers MLD

[101RRS]

I thought that a tree protector strap is also equally suitable as a bridle. The recovery kit I bought promoted the tree protector as dual purpose. cheers MLD

Might be OK for winching but most are too low a rating for snatching - now I use them for my truck but I use two of the same length and rating when snatching.

Garry

[Tank]

Looks like the consensus is non-stretch - thanks everyone.

So is this just marketing or is there actually engineering science behind it?


Recovery Bridle - 4x4 Accessories - Recovery Gear - 4wd Recovery Gear | 4wd Accessories | 4wd Equipment and Camping Gear Australia | Axe and Shovel Holder | Combo Shovel | Synthetic Winch Rope | Camping Lights| Autofridge Eutectic Refrigerators|Pillo (http://www.4x4equip.com.au/4wd-camping/4x4+Accessories/Recovery+Gear/IDH-23-6)
Not all recoveries are snatch strap recoveries, using a stretch strap as a bridle on a winch recovery could be dangerous esp. with a tifor winch.
In a winch recovery with a snatch bridle strap the stretch in that strap will be taken up before the vehicle starts to move, then when it moves it could leap forward catching the winch operator unawares. This could cause undue strain on the winch cable and the jerking could cause the cable or shackle to part. Also if using a Tirfor you are standing next to the winch and a sudden movement of the vehicle could cause a dangerous situation, this is why stretch type straps are banned in the rigging industry, Regards Frank.

[Tank]

Might be OK for winching but most are too low a rating for snatching - now I use them for my truck but I use two of the same length and rating when snatching.

Garry
Garry, a tree protector strap should be rated higher than your winch cable load, esp. if you reeve one eye through the other or when using a snatch block, if you loop around a tree (not too great a diameter) instead of reeving (one eye through the other) it would be OK, Regards Frank.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

bridle description-
as with all stuff on the net,, make your own mind up,,
Heavy Duty Equalizer Strap (http://www.australian4wd.com.au/4wd-training/5equalstrap.html)

[101RRS]

Garry, a tree protector strap should be rated higher than your winch cable load, esp. if you reeve one eye through the other or when using a snatch block, if you loop around a tree (not too great a diameter) instead of reeving (one eye through the other) it would be OK, Regards Frank.

I wasn't talking about winching - talking about snatching and using a tree protector strap as a bridle. Snatching loads can be twice as high as winching loads.

[Tank]

I wasn't talking about winching - talking about snatching and using a tree protector strap as a bridle. Snatching loads can be twice as high as winching loads.
Quote: "Snatching loads can be twice as high as winching loads."
I don't know how you come to that conclusion Garry as most snatch straps have a Breaking Strain (BS) of 8000kgs. Most winches advertise a BS of their winch cables at 9000kg BS to 12000kg BS.
Getting back to my point, that is, a tree protector strap should be rated at a higher BS than all of your other gear, it is the final piece of gear between your vehicle and a solid anchor point and if it fails a great deal of damage or injury would result.
The TOTAL load of a winching operation is transferred to the TTP strap.
So if the TTP strap is used as a Bridle strap it should have a BS higher than the Snatch strap and be long enough to minimise the angle at the top of the triangle formed by the bridle strap. I know you weren't talking about winching, but the TTP strap is part of the winching gear and it should be adequate for the job it is used on, regards Frank.

[uninformed]

Im thinking that it would be rare for a recovery to be exactly straight ahead, with centered pull and for it to remain this way durring. I would have thought that a wire or synthetic rope, rated of coarse and a winch block pulley used so it will always share the load down each chassis rail. Unless your recovery line can move on the bridle it will be unequal at most times.....

[101RRS]

Quote: "Snatching loads can be twice as high as winching loads."
I don't know how you come to that conclusion Garry as most snatch straps have a Breaking Strain (BS) of 8000kgs. Most winches advertise a BS of their winch cables at 9000kg BS to 12000kg BS.


Most snatch straps are rated in Kg (mine is 10,000kg) and winches are rated in pounds - most winches are 9000lbs to 12,000lbs not 9,000kg to 12,000kg hence my general comment that loads under snatching can be up to twice that of a similar winching exercise.

[clubagreenie]

I use a lifting type of sling, a roundsling with a core thats the rated material and the outer sheath that's protective. Fitted to each recovery point with a bow shackle, and another from the sling to the recovery line, which can slide across as required, since as stated the direction of pull can vary.

And before anyone starts, it was discussed & demonstrated in length with the suppliers about it's end use, what size to use (ended up being 3T and 2m) and best set up (as described above to achieve equalisation as best as possible). The included angle ends up being about 40deg for a 2m sling with points 600mm apart. So rating for the sling in this set up would be about 6t, with 7:1 safety factor. Best part is comparatively pretty cheap at < $50-.

[Tombie]

Most snatch straps are rated in Kg (mine is 10,000kg) and winches are rated in pounds - most winches are 9000lbs to 12,000lbs not 9,000kg to 12,000kg hence my general comment that loads under snatching can be up to twice that of a similar winching exercise.

Average Snatch strap = Breaking Strain (BS) of 8-10,000kg

ARB (this was easy to find) Tree Trunk protector - 12,000kg min BS

[Tombie]

Loads on a snatch recovery can ONLY top out at the Breaking strain of the Snatch strap (in your case assuming its Bs is spot on 10,000kg) then something will give at 10,000kg...

A winch recovery can include Slip and Grip situations... Big shock loads..... Well over 10t