[skeebs]

Let me start by stating I have in fact been searching & reading threads for the past few weeks up & down here involving towing straps, recovery straps, etc. and capacity ratings and so on. Well, now my head is spinning.

Would these be reasonable enough and safe enough (in your opinion or if you have past experience with these straps) to use as wraps (i.e. to trees or large rocks) during winching situations to free a stuck vehicle when out wheelin'? I am just curious if these are do-able versus the added cost of a more expensive brand strap like ARB, Procomp, Warn, etc. I'm not saying the these manufacturers aren't high quality, just that maybe you're actually paying extra just to have the 'name brand'.

eBay items#:

(towing or solid point attachment via clevis to a winch line)
330296898044

and/or
this one for recovery (aka "snatch strap"?)
110332015046

I'm not an expert, that's why I'm asking

[CNY]

Nevery use a "recovery strap" as an anchor point for a winch.

For a "recovery strap", use a (minimum) 2" wide strap rated at 20,000lbs or more.

For an anchor strap, use a 3" wide (minimum) tree saver, rated at (minimally) twice the rating of your winch.

You're on the right track, but don't go with the "and/or" option. Have both.

EDITED TO ADD:
I looked at the auction items you listed. They seem fine. I don't see the prices as being anything special, though.

[skeebs]

Let me clarify as I may have been unclear. I don't intend the use the Recovery strap (110332015046) as an anchor point strap. But could I use the others (330296898044) an an anchor point?

[CNY]

I think they'll be fine as an anchor. Plus, you have a tow strap in the deal, if you end up needing one.

I once towed a friend about 25 miles (on and off-road) with a recovery strap, and wish that I had a tow-strap that day.

[DaveJKJ]

Looks like your questions have been answered.

As a FYI......If there is a Tractor Supply Store near you go there and look at what they have. They have all kinds of recovery/towing/Warn Winches etc, etc. At least the one near me does. They carry recovery straps (with the loops) in different lengths and ratings all the way up to pulling tractor trailers.

[ni0h]

Originally Posted by CNY

Nevery use a "recovery strap" as an anchor point for a winch.

Unless that's all you've got suitable for the purpose. Yes, the recovery strap will store energy, and if the winch cable snaps, the hook will be flung into the tree with more force, but that's infinitely better than wrapping the cable around the tree and hooking it to itself.

[madrabbitt]

You need to understand the differences between "tow" and "recovery" straps.

Generally, a TOW strap does not stretch, does not store kinetic energy. Its used to connect two vehicles together to allow one to pull another on the road. In recovery situations, it can be used to secure a vehicle to an anchor to allow the use of a winch. Should not be used to pull a stuck vehicle.

A RECOVERY strap stretches to use kinetic energy to increase the pull on a stuck vehicle. Because it stretches, it should not be used as an anchor point, nor should it be used to tow a vehicle, or secure a vehicle to anything.

[skeebs]

Ok, so maybe this is a dumb question and maybe I'm not reading something correctly. Let's say I'm out in the woods, I'm sucked deep into a mudhole and can't move any further. I have a winch on the front of my Jeep. Should I not use a tow strap to wrap around a tree and attach my winch line to that to pull myself out? Or are the "Tree Saver" straps made of some special material that does not allow them to damage the tree as much as a "Tow Strap" might?

[BYuen]

Originally Posted by ksp2002TJ

Ok, so maybe this is a dumb question and maybe I'm not reading something correctly. Let's say I'm out in the woods, I'm sucked deep into a mudhole and can't move any further. I have a winch on the front of my Jeep. Should I not use a tow strap to wrap around a tree and attach my winch line to that to pull myself out? Or are the "Tree Saver" straps made of some special material that does not allow them to damage the tree as much as a "Tow Strap" might?

Now if you are winching you need to attach to an anchor point. You WOULD want to use a tow strap or tree saver since they will not stretch and turn your winch hook into a missile if the line breaks. A recovery strap should be used between two vehicles trying to yank the other out. The recovery strap will stretch and snap back like a rubber band amplifying the kinetic energy of the recovery vehicle to the stuck one. This rubber band action of a recovery strap is not something you need or want when you are winching from a tree or rock etc.

[crusty75]

A tow strap will work in a pinch. Most tow straps are 2-3" wide. For example, I carry a
2 inch wide x 30 foot long tow strap

A tree saver is better for the tree. The tree saver I carry is
6 inches wide x 6 feet long. Wider strap is much less likely to cut the bark on the tree.

I also carry a snatch strap, which is never used with the winch.

All in addition to the winch, 100% of the time. All the straps fit nicely in a nylon bag I stuff under the driver's seat.

[madrabbitt]

Originally Posted by ksp2002TJ

Ok, so maybe this is a dumb question and maybe I'm not reading something correctly. Let's say I'm out in the woods, I'm sucked deep into a mudhole and can't move any further. I have a winch on the front of my Jeep. Should I not use a tow strap to wrap around a tree and attach my winch line to that to pull myself out? Or are the "Tree Saver" straps made of some special material that does not allow them to damage the tree as much as a "Tow Strap" might?

if its all you have, then its better (for the tree) then wrapping the steel cable around it.

A tree saver is just a simple strap, however, its not elastic like a recovery strap.

its purpose is to spread out the force of the pull and not cut into the tree like a winch cable would.

[skeebs]

Just an FYI, I never intended on nor would I ever (even in a tight bind) wrap my winch cable around a tree. And I guess I did have it right in my mind... a tow strap is a valid anchor strap since it doesn't stretch and the 'recovery' strap is used for yanking a stuck vehicle out due to its elasticity.

So let me ask this, are a "SNATCH STRAP" and a "RECOVERY STRAP" the same thing or two entirely different animals?

[madrabbitt]

in theory, its an interchangable term.

Like arse and bum are interchangable with *** and butt.

[skeebs]

Originally Posted by madrabbitt

in theory, its an interchangable term.

Like arse and bum are interchangable with *** and butt.

LOL, nice!

Thanks for all the help clearing this up everyone.

[Tony1911]

I'd just like to ask for clarification regarding my situation:

Originally Posted by madrabbitt

Generally, a TOW strap does not stretch, does not store kinetic energy. Its used to connect two vehicles together to allow one to pull another on the road. In recovery situations, it can be used to secure a vehicle to an anchor to allow the use of a winch. Should not be used to pull a stuck vehicle.

Funny thing is, at least the off-road shop I asked refuses to sell recovery straps at all (and a large percentage of their clientele are real off-roaders, not just some nerds in a SUV ). They cited liability concerns as a reason.

Now, I realise that a recovery strap, with its elasticity, enables one to pull a really stuck vehicle better than a non-elastic strap (assuming tow points can withstand the energies involved) and thus makes things easier / enables one to pull a vehicle from places where with a tow strap it would be difficult or impossible to create sufficient pull to do so. But is there any reason why a tow strap should categorically not be used for vehicle recovery? If you'll note what my ride is, it is unlikely that I'll find myself up to my windows in a bog... If I do get stuck, it will likely happen in an easier to extract situation than with a proper off-roading Jeep.