Recovery Straps

[Bow_Tied]

Since I am noob, I thought I would ask before purchasing a strap.


1. Is a 20' strap enough for most uses? I know a 30' is better and it can always be doubled up if too long, but I don't want to get a 30' and store something ( the extra 10') that is nearly never used.

2. If I do get a 30' strap and use it doubled up to 15' will that impact the snatch action negatively? I understand they are designed to stretch about 20%. In the case of doubling up, the load would be split by each "half" of the strap. I am not sure how much load is required to complete the 20% stretch is I guess what I don't know.

3. The straps I am looking at are all sown loop ends to avoid the hook projectile issue. In the event I wish to help pull a Dodge Neon or some other POS out of the ditch, how do you attach to their vechile without hooks? I could get a separate hook/clevis whatever, but then that is a projectile. I have read that people do that, but I never really understood how one is a projectile and the other is not or it is "ok".

4. Do you treat your straps with any weather protectant? If I use this in the snow/slush etc. it will get wet. I asked one manufacturer this by email and got a an answer of don't use anything, but I could tell it was from an agency the company used to manage the email inquiries so I don't really trust the answer.

At this point I am looking a 3" 27,000lb Erickson (made in Canada) from TSC or Princess Auto (and will get rid of my princess auto made in China strap that has hooks!)

TIA.

[X-Treme]

Longer straps are more useful. There are occasions when a straight pull will not free the vehicle and you need to bump them out. A short strap may not allow for this especially if the mud hole the other vehicle is stuck in is long.

27,000 lbs 3" straps tend to be too stiff for the size of vehicles we are operating. You don't get the benefits of the stretching action of the strap and, especially when trying to bump a vehicle out of a mud hole, you'll find that a 3" 27,000 lbs strap will be jarring to use and may actually cause damage to the frame of the vehicles. There is not enough stretch to help absorb the impacts of bumping the vehicles.

I would recommend buying appropriate straps for every situation, that means one of each a 20' and a 30' 2" strap. If you can only afford one then get the 30'. Folding a strap over to shorten it will double it's capacity and make it stiffer. Try to avoid doing this. It may also damage the strap.

To attach a strap to a vehicle, use a shackle. You can buy 3/4" shackles at Princess Auto.

Wash your straps with a pressure washer when they get dirty. That's all the maintenance they need.

[Bow_Tied]

So, I would be better off with an 18,000lb then?

[X-Treme]

So, I would be better off with an 18,000lb then?

Yes!

[Bow_Tied]

Super, thanks.

Looking here: http://www.ericksonmfg.com/products/str ... traps.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I will look to get the 2" x 30' 18k lb strap and eventually a draw bar similar to the one shown with the clevis.

[lowridah313]

Shackle mount similar to this.
http://cntc.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=632" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I still have a couple left.

-Tom-

[Bow_Tied]

Very nice. I'd be interested in one like that. Maybe you can set one aside for a coffee meet to save shipping? Did you make that yourself or have them made?

[lowridah313]

I make those myself. Welder for a living.

[Miner]

This is by far the best strap I have and the best strap I have used



Product page for the 20' single ply strap, there is also a 30' double ply.

Catalogue Part Numbers

• LALTS1802TX20 (20')
• LALTS2802TX30 (30')

See bottom of the Acklands Grainger Catalodue Page
https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/images ... g/1157.pdf

[Bow_Tied]

Thanks for that. I have you used the Erickson straps?

I note that the Erickson 2"x30' straps are rated 68% higher for half the money.

[lowridah313]

I carry around the 1" x 15' (7500lb) in my truck just in case. Never had a problem with it.

[Miner]

Thanks for that. I have you used the Erickson straps?

I note that the Erickson 2"x30' straps are rated 68% higher for half the money.

Yes the Erickson straps are very good and are more cost effective. However I believe the Lift-All strap is well worth it when you look at the quality and the stretch. Tugging with this strap is much smoother (gentler) than any other strap I have used, my last pull with my Titan and a Bronco (both full size 5,500 lbs plus vehicles) was smoother than some trailers I have pulled.

This is one of the four straps and two chains I carry:

• 2"x30' Lift-All (Elastic) Strap
• 3"x30' Princess Auto Strap
• 2"x12' Sling (used to pull from both front tow points)
• 15" Erickson Strap (light strap,rarely used)
• 20' Chain with one grab and one slip hook (Grade 70 I think)
• 4' Chain with one grab and one slip hook (Grade 70 I think)

If I was going to only carry one strap it would be he Lift-All.