Chain or Snatch Strap?

[jonesfam]

I notice on different threads (like 10 best accessories) that Snatch Straps get continual mentions.
I have never had 1, I have 3 chains of various lengths & sizes all with rated hooks.
I like the chains, I can recover, tow, drag logs, extend the winch & all sorts of stuff. They are heavy but 2 fit nicely in a bag & 1 stays in the wife's Delica.
So what is the advantage to a snatch strap except making recoveries a bit easier? Are they that good? Do they last like a chain? Can you tow etc with them? What is the consensus?
BTW I don't usually drive on sand where I could see they may be handy.
Jonesfam

[BMKal]

Snatch strap is also handy in mud.

No - they don't last like a chain, especially if you use them. However, if you keep a new one in a bag for when it is needed, provided it is kept clean and not had a lot of use, will last a long time. Mine is about 6 years old. Takes up little room and I've only ever used it a couple of times. Trick is to wash and thoroughly dry it before packing away after use.

Last time was to pull a 79 series L/cruiser with loaded toolboxes etc on the back (and a small Mazda attached to the rear of the cruiser) out of a mud flat (small salt lake) near Kalgoorlie. I definitely wouldn't have been able to pull them out with a chain.

[Slunnie]

The big advantage is that they build up greater energy during a recovery through stretch, and they don't shock the chassis. Recovery with a strap is significantly easier with a snatch strap due to this and is much easier on the vehicles. Recovery is the main purpose.

That said, they are not designed to be a chain which is more suitable for other things like what you are using them for.

Yes they really are that good for recovery compared to chains. They don't last as long as chains, they wear with use so life depends on usage but they do last very well. You can tow with them and it takes shock out of the process, but like every use it does wear them.

[superquag]

... A cup of tea before recovery will increase the effectiveness (and safety...) of either.

[redrovertdi]

I prefer a tow strap/strop to snatching personally[dont own a snatch], prefer slow and steady in control rather than being launched but thats just me, some friends prefer snatch straps but each to there own and ive got a winch[befor the winch i used to take the chain hoist]

[Ralph1Malph]

I am also in the chain camp. Never owned a snatch strap but won't say I never will. I grew up with chains or wire rope and have used chains (or wire rope) all throughout my working life so I am very familar and comfortable with them. That said, they do require a little knowledge and skill to use and are not always faster.
Many people shy away from chains as they believe they can be dangerous. They can, like any piece of recovery gear, they need maintaining. A thorough clean (scrub with kero, diesal or steam clean) after use followed by an inspection for nicks or stretches. Finally lubricate (any petroleum lube) before putting away. I keep mine in a plastic container so the lubricant does not leack out or evaporate.
Trick is to own rated chain, shackles and hooks. This can be expensive first up, but almost infinite life if looked after. Don't be tempted to under spec for cost. The stress on chains can be quite high, so spend the coin and over spec - the fatter the chain and meatier the hook the better IMHO.

Ralph

[Cobber]

I have both a strap and a chain, just in case I need to move something such as a tree out of the way (never had to at this point but it's nice to be prepared )

I definitely recommend a strap for recovery or towing a stricken vehicle as a chain is rather unforgiving whereas a strap makes it all easy. Granted a chain lasts longer but the links will stress eventually.

At the end of the day it's probably each to their own

[MR LR]

Here's an example from the harvest of 2010 (NSW - very wet season).

Small Fiat header was bogged (sitting on its belly), two tractors (a 4WD and a 2WD Dually) had drag chains hooked up, both tractors couldn't pull the ~10tonne header out.

Then borrowed a 40 tonne snatch strap from the neighbours.

The 4WD New Holland (140 HP) pulled the header out by itself with the snatch strap.

We then bought one, and the New Holland was capable of pulling out the bogged 25 tonne John Deere that belonged to the contractor. I recovered the JD on average 2 to 3 times a day (was 16 at the time) and learnt a lot about recovery using both drag chains and snatch straps.

They make a hell of a difference in small scale recovery, where big winches and huge anchors are unavailable, worked amazingly on the farm and they are fantastic in mud and sand.

DON'T drag with them though, and follow the correct safety procedures. A training course is the best thing. But they should only be used where a non-elastic strap is unsuitable.

Cheers
Will

[slug_burner]

A snatch strap comes into its own where there is limited grip for the towing vehicle to pull the casualty out. The strap being elastic allows you to store energy in it and then return it later hopefully to help you pull the casualty out.

If you have a winch and a means to anchor then you can get away without a snatch strap.

As said by others the snatch strap is a lot softer on the vehicles, also fairly easy to carry, quick to deploy and cheaper than most other alternatives.

[vnx205]

A snatch strap can be useful where the towing vehicle has very little traction.

For example, years ago before snatch straps were common, I had to use my '69 Crown to recover a bogged Falcon station wagon.

As we had been spotlighting, it was late at night, the long green grass was already wet with dew (or perhaps it was frost) and there was very little traction available.

We didn't have a snatch strap, but we did have a length of rope that was probably close to 50 metres long.

Even sisal, hemp or manilla rope that length has a bit of stretch, so when I moved off at a slow walking pace, the Falcon was eased up out of the bog without me even feeling the weight come on the rope.

I doubt a chain would have done the job as I could not have got any traction in the wet grass in a sedan with normal road tyres.