Thread: Chain or Snatch Strap?

Guys,

There doesn't seem to be any differentiation between towing with either a chain or sling/ strop/ strap and doing a kinetic recovery with a snatch strap.

Inherently the heading is therefore contradictory because recovery technique is obviously completely different and there is no point in asking whether you prefer recovery with a chain or a snatch strap...

I have both a towing strap and a snatch strap in my kit and 99% of recovery is done with the towing strap. My snatch strap is a good quality ARB one that lives in a waterproof bag and is only taken out if every other recovery technique (bar winching) has failed.

The snatch is obviously a very volatile recovery technique with a host of safety precautions and should really not be someones default in recovery techniques. Attempting a snatch with a tow strap is obviously as detrimental and a number of the videos on you tube is clearly people trying a snatch style recovery with a tow strap...

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by Loubrey

I have both a towing strap and a snatch strap in my kit and 99% of recovery is done with the towing strap. My snatch strap is a good quality ARB one that lives in a waterproof bag and is only taken out if every other recovery technique (bar winching) has failed.

That's a really hard and slow way to recover. I start with a simple tow with a snatch strap (i.e. no run-up).
This is much more effective than a rigid tow strap, just as safe and avoids a lot of mucking around.

I also carry a tow-strap. But I've only ever used it for towing disabled vehicles. Not recovery as it's pointless for that.

Dougal,

Everyone entitled to their own view and obviously you can use your equipment and vehicle as you see fit.

My opinion is however based on extensive training received while doing National Service in the SADF and protocol determined that non kinetic recovery needs to be attempted before kinetic equipment is used. Snatching a 19 ton IFV (empty weight) with a second one is a VERY violent operation and almost inevitably leads to a rear end collision of varying degree. Link to the vehicles I refer to...

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratel_IFV"]Ratel IFV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

I've employed this training and experience in my 20 odd years of recreational and competition off road driving and it's worked fine for me. I've also taught these principles while being club training officer at previous Land Rover clubs as every recovery is different and should be assessed on its individual merits.

Rushing in with default preconceived ideas is a fine way to get people hurt and vehicles damaged.

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by Loubrey

...SADF and protocol determined that non kinetic recovery needs to be attempted before kinetic equipment is used. ...

Protocol determined by a committee over 50 years ago for a completely different class of vehicle to that which we are (mainly) talking about here...

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Snatching a 19 ton IFV (empty weight) with a second one is a VERY violent operation and almost inevitably leads to a rear end collision of varying degree.

Cheers,

Lou

Maybe a slightly longer snatch strap, or a little less right foot would be a good idea

I did over 100 recoveries during the 2010 Harvest, and have done many more in recreational 4WDing and not once did either machine come close together, let alone anywhere near hitting.

We used the speed we needed, held a low gear and just towed, initially the strap stretches and then pops the header out, we then kept constant throttle and towed the header until it stopped sinking (this opposes what most say about just bouncing on the strap and letting it pop out).

Cheers
Will

I agree with both you guys and I've never had a recovery related collision on a 4WD vehicle either. I was just using the military vehicles as an example of the forces involved with kinetic recovery. The protocols are obviously varied for different classes of vehicle, but I was taught (and therefore it remains my opinion) to assess every recovery on its merits and if you can avoid the stresses of a kinetic recovery it would be prudent to do so.

Obviously you guys have been off road driving long enough to amass significant experience in recovery and the intention is not preaching to the converted or insulting the educated.

My point is purely that a lot of young inexperienced guys are getting to think (reinforced by marketing and popular media) that snatch recovery is the only way to do get even a slightly bogged vehicle unstuck, hence some of the insane You Tube videos posted here.

If we can pass on the knowledge that a bit of shovel work and a gentle tow with a non-kinetic (or kinetic if you chose to do so) recovery strap is often enough to get most vehicles unstuck. There are many misconceptions about the topic and Will's comment about his method (which obviously works) being different from main stream opinion.

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by Loubrey

...

If we can pass on the knowledge that a bit of shovel work and a gentle tow with a non-kinetic (or kinetic if you chose to) recovery strap is often enough to get most vehicles unstuck, our chosen recreational activity would hopefully be safer than the current public perception...

...

I don't disagree, but how many people own their own tow strap??? It is hard enough to get everyone to carry a snatch strap in good condition. I know that in the LROCB the club owned a 30m tow strap and one or two other members in a club of ~100+ had one of their own.

Better just to teach them to recover as slowly as possible with a snatch strap (i.e. 1st low and just off idle as a first try), and then only go faster if the situation demands it.

I think the shovel must be a west coast/sand thing. It is pretty easy to see if the diffs (etc) are obstructed so you need a shovel. If not, a shovel won't help. Tracks should be left as close as possible to how you found them, not smoothed out so the lowest common denominator can get through unaided!