What is the life of straps and slings.

[ramblingboy42]

Since I purchased my snatch strap, tow strap , and heavy duty soft slings they have never been used . I never get bogged (chicken dancer) and when I extract someone else I use their equipment.

They are now over 8years old in perfect unused condition, they are regularly inspected and are kept in a drawer away from any contaminates , corrosives , mice etc.

What is the life of this gear? Should I take it all to someone like Bullivants or Stenhouse and have it checked and certified?

I think I've got 50yo hemp ropes in my shed which appear to be perfect. Anyone have expert advice here?

Dennis

[Blknight.aus]

the hemp rope is probably shot but the synthetic slings and SWR stuff should still be in good order.

the "book life" for lifting gear from memory is 10 years most slings that require certification have a stamped expiry date on the load limit/SWL tag.

if in any doubt just turf it or restrict it to use where if something goes wrong the result wont have any consequences you're worried about.

for the size stuff that is typically used in the private 4x4 world its almost always cheaper to turf and replace at "end of shelf life" than it is to have it re certified.

[Bearman]

^^^^^ What Dave said.

[ramblingboy42]

ok , advice taken....

.....but would both of you guys throw out brand new , never used recovery gear?

[Bearman]

Depends what it is Dennis. Synthetic stuff yes especially if it has been in sunlight but not things like wire ropes and chains that have no visible damage or corrosion and are in unused condition.

[Blknight.aus]

Yep, if its out of tag and its synthetic its gone. that said, I might use it for slack tow work after a recovery where I dont want to risk good recovery straps to excessive friction damage but Im also not expecting big loads. That still falls into the catagory of a situation where I'm not concerned about the event of a failure as the recovered vehicle would be under the control of an operator.

SWR and chain less so but I'm more than happy to turf an entire length of chain based on one stretched link regardless of the tag date.

[Slunnie]

ok , advice taken....

.....but would both of you guys throw out brand new , never used recovery gear?

If it has been kept out of UV light also, then I'd most definitely kick on with it and I personally wouldn't be worried about it. Look at the life of seat belts which are not too different.