Thread: 4x4 tow ropes

using a snatch strap to tow isnt such a bad idea

using a snatch strap without connecting it properly, clearing the area, yada,yada,yada is.


re-read of question...

they are a problem because they store energy and typically involve momentum. Attach one incorrectly or to a point thats not rated to deal with the stresses involved and things go pear shaped.

try this.

take a piece of dental floss and stretch it between your hands till it breaks.

now do it with an eleastic band

Which one hurt more?

I use an old snatch strap as my tow rope - last tow was by my 101 where I towed a series 2 on back country roads for about 23km - no issues at all - some say because of the springiness they do not make good tow ropes but that has not been my experience. BUT never use a snatch strap that is in service as a snatch strap - they get chaffed on the road, driven over etc that kills them as a snatch strap. My old strap is 20years old - has heaps of chaffs and will work as a tow rope but never as a snatch.

If your tow recovery is just a short distance where a snatch is not required and you had nothing else I would use a snatch but I always carry my old strap in the car so it is always available.

People need to understand the difference between a snatch and a tow recovery where the loads are vastly different.

Garry

You shouldn't use a snatch strap to tow if you ever want to use it as a snatch strap again, they will tow a car, they do snap which is not good when it happens and without doubt it will stretch out, they can even go rigid. Once it is stretched it means it is no good for snatching and would probably break if you tried. It might not but they can take off a persons head.
A good quality rope and some nice splices and some heavy shackles are the go. Go to a boat place and get something made up if you are not good at rope work. With shackles remember pin to the eye on the rope and you are good to go. It works for tugboats so a land rover should be all good. Keep the rope in good condition and it will last a very long time.

Work load limits can be figured out very easily with different types of rope as each type of rope will have a WLL value such as .8 or 1.6 these can be found in riggers hand books or on the net i presume, then i think it is just "dia in mm x the ropes value"

I use an old soft lifting sling. It has some minor damage (fraying) so was condemmed for lifting at work - but still perfectly good for towing. Have a couple of them at different lengths.

Just to go off slighty on a tangent here or a sec, the thread title reminded me of my first look at a mates new Jeep today. He proudly showed me all the cars features, including a tool bag that came with it. The contents of the tool kit? - a tow rope, torch and a safety triangle.... I asked him if he thought he may be needing that now he is Jeep owner. He wasn't too impressed...

Hey mate, with regards to splicing, just do it yourself. I've worked at a sailing shop for a number of years so I'd like to think I know a bit about it. Dyneema's reeeeeally easy. You can't get it wrong. It works a bit like a finger trap in the way that it tightens around the splice. It's a good idea to seize it with some whipping twine or a bit of string after so that the splice doesn't shake loose when you're not using it. Braided and 3 strand rope though... get a pro

EDIT: SWL's will be on the side of the reel when you go and buy it.

I've been using a 2.5 tonne ratchet strap for all sorts of things lately, including towing and pulling 250mm fence posts out.

$17 (yes $17) from Total Tools. Reinforced eyes, etc. You won't believe the quality at the price.

cheers, DL

Originally Posted by 350RRC

I've been using a 2.5 tonne ratchet strap for all sorts of things lately, including towing and pulling 250mm fence posts out.

$17 (yes $17) from Total Tools. Reinforced eyes, etc. You won't believe the quality at the price.

cheers, DL

yep 3500kgs of strapping power.
beautiful stitching, nice heavy ratchet mechanism.

One of our apprentices thought the same as you--

then the hook spot welds snapped and the buckle twisted---

Reactions varied from the Tradesman kicking his arse to our OHS guys bouncing off the ceiling.

There is a good reason why these are used by truckies. And nobody else.