Synthetic rope as a bridle?

[AndyRevill]

Hi all,

I'm just about to get some winch rope to use as an extension and I also need a bridle/equaliser to go between the two recovery points, which got me thinking, is there any reason I can't use a few meters of winch rope as the bridle, rather than a strap? I could just buy a few meters extra and splice an eye into each end, it would be a lot less bulky.

Couldn't find any posts where this has been discussed so interested to hear what people think.

cheers, Andy

[Phoenix]

an interesting idea, for winching or snatch recovery?

winching would be ok I guess, but I don'tknow how well it would stand up to the forces being exerted on it from 90 degreens from where it normally takes the force.

also, would it take the forces involved in a snatch recovery (if you want to use it for that).

[AndyRevill]

an interesting idea, for winching or snatch recovery?

winching would be ok I guess, but I don'tknow how well it would stand up to the forces being exerted on it from 90 degreens from where it normally takes the force.

also, would it take the forces involved in a snatch recovery (if you want to use it for that).

I was really thinking about winching or towing not snatching, though it would be interesting to know if that's possible.

Andy

[dullbird]

interesting question as we have some synthetic rope left over from what we cut to put on the winch....kept it for a winch extension but would be interesting to know if it could be used as a bridle

[steveG]

Having a quick search around the web for recovery bridles I found both stretch and non-stretch ones, and a mix of webbing and rope style ones.

As long as the rope has sufficient rating (most of the bridles I found seem to be minimum 8T breaking strain) I can't see a reason why you couldn't use it.
I'm no expert though, so I'll be interested to see what those have expertise have to say.

SteveG

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Leeds is your man to answer that questions - He's a polymer king!

From what I know snatching is a definate NO.

I think also that the strength of the rope is obtained by lining up the polymers along the length of the rope and as such it is significantly weaker when pulled at 90 degrees to the direction of the polymer alignment.

My advice would be to get a proper strop.

[Hoodoo Brown]

The approximate formula for the Safe Working Load of a manilla rope is the diameter squared is the approx swl in kg eg. 10mm x 10mm = 100 kg.To lift a 2000kg Landie would be 2000 x square root = approx 45 mm rope in dia.

As a bridle with two points of attachment and a third pulling point, further derate the SWL by one third. A single ended rope with a capability of 2000kg if further derated to 1340kg when it has three points of attachment.

I'm sure that a Landie stuck in mud, would exert greater than 2000 kg strain on a rope attached as a bridle.

To get a rope the right size do you know anyone who work on tugboats.

[leeds]

Like many questions there is not a simple yes or no answer but I would say it would not be best practise.

My arguement would be that if you had a bridle made out of a synthetic winch line for use in winching then it would soon become a general purpose bridle and would be used as a bridle in snatch recovery situations. Use of such a winch line bridle in a snatch recovery situation would be a No No in my opinion.

Winch lines are low extension lines whereas snatch recovery straps/ropes are much higher extension which allows it to cope with the shock loads involved in snatch recovery situations.

For a general purpose bridle I would use the following in this order of preference, (1) nylon, (2) polyester, (3) synthetic winch line (4) metal chain

Hope that helps

Regards


Brendan

[AndyRevill]

Thanks Leeds - really useful stuff. Looks like I'll by-pass the rope idea :)

How's life in Gods country? I'm a Sheffield boy originally (don't hold that against me :D)

cheers, Andy

[dullbird]

Muddymech is from Sheffield also......wouldn't it be funny if you knew each other he said he knew a Revill but his name was Michael

[AndyRevill]

Muddymech is from Sheffield also......wouldn't it be funny if you knew each other he said he knew a Revill but his name was Michael

refugees from the steel city seem to turn up all over the place :D
I did spend a year after my A-levels at college and seem to remember there was another Revill, but I think it was a slightly different version - for the life of me I can't remember his first name - too long ago, too much red wine :twisted:

cheers, Andy

[rmp]

Yes you can do this provided that the bridle is long enough so the apex is at a sufficient angle, around 30 degrees at the apex interior angle would be good. Also spread the load at the apex as the rope isn't designed for it, and ensure each end is properly terminated. 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 (http://www.4x4equip.com.au) do something similar.

[SVX37]

Nice to hear the differring opinions.
For the record, ARB sell these aleady made up. Can definately be used for a snatch as this was its design brief - winching and snatching.:)

[AndyRevill]

Yes you can do this provided that the bridle is long enough so the apex is at a sufficient angle, around 30 degrees at the apex interior angle would be good. Also spread the load at the apex as the rope isn't designed for it, and ensure each end is properly terminated. 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 (http://www.4x4equip.com.au) do something similar.

That's interesting, theirs is only 2m long - I doubt that would give you a suitable angle at the apex, I was thinking 4 or 5m

Andy

[steveG]

That's interesting, theirs is only 2m long - I doubt that would give you a suitable angle at the apex, I was thinking 4 or 5m

Andy

Its a stretching one - does that make a difference to the theory?

Steve