Tow Rope, Chain, Cable or Strap?

[StuntDriver06]

so im looking for a vehicle recovering device of some sort to put in the titan.. i mean i have a 4wd pick-up, all 4wd pickups should have something in case you run up on someone stuck right? anyway the first thing i see is a "nylon recovery strap" rated capacity 12000 lbs, Working load Limit: 2500lbs, price $25. so the first question is what is the differene between working load limit and rated capacity? then i see a "5/16 inch X 20ft Grade 70 Tow/Recovery Chain" Working Load Limit: 4700lbs (didnt see a "rated capacity") price is $36. then finally a "5/16in X 20ft Towing Cable" Working load limit:1960 lbs (again no rated capacity) price: $25.

now my thinking is that the chain will be the strongest for pulling, but the strap will be best for snatching. but really how strong are these devices. any input is appreciated.

[Carbeaux]

I'd say strap. I don't think that under "normal" circumstances you could break any of the three without having to consider that you'd probably break something on your truck first. So a strap is probably the lightest, least rattle prone of the three. Just my SWAG.

[Arachnid]

I would second what Carbeaux said. A tow strap is plenty strong enough, and is easy to store in your truck.

[boya544]

Working load is where it can pull safely for an extended period of time and the rated capacity is the max before the breaking point. Chains can be dangerous for towing, pulling. I 've seen a F-250 pulling a Hummer out of the sand. The chain snapped and whipped back, taking out the F-250's back window. I would just use a tow strap also. Even if it did break it would not cause the damage that a chain would. Besides you could tie the strap in a knot if it did break. I've seen where the hook part ripped out. We just tied the strap around the frame. Was able to pull out the stuck guy.From all the pulling, it was a PITA to untie the knot so they just cut it off.

[Yahooligan]

Definitely get the strap, also buy one with looped ends and not one with hooks.

[MuskyHunter]

The guys here were helpful with my thread about a recovery strap.

Vehicle Recovery Strap Help

[RckyMtnTitan]

It seems that the majority say go with a strap but..... I have been in two situations in which a strap has broken. I don't know the exact # ratings on them but they were heavy duty. Both times it was a simple pull out of a ditch, one in mud and one in snow. Personally I keep an 18ft heavy duty chain in my side tool box. The links are 3/8 of an inch. Yes, it is heavy and not as easy to work with as a strap but it is strong enough to pull anything out without breaking. I use it quite often and never have any trouble. Hope that helps.

[StuntDriver06]

thanks for the responses, i think i will find a good strap online. ive been trying to get a hold of one of those nylon ropes my dad had a while back, he got it off a naval warship, said they were rated high. he told me he saw one tank pull out another tank using the same type rope, we used it about 5 times i can think of and let me tell you it had some serious stretch to it, but never broke.........

[StuntDriver06]

think i just found the best explanation... basically from what i read working load limit (which is also known as dynamic load limit) (WLL or DLL) is what hitches are rated objects in tow or cranes moving things.. so a piece of gear rated at 5000 lbs DLL or WLL will safely tow a 5000lb vehicle, but for pulling a stuck vehicle, the rating is 3 times the DLL which is 15000 lbs of pull.... however if you snatch on the gear by backing up to allow slack and yanking on the other vehicle, you must use the DLL rating.... makes perfect sense, thats why most have both ratings...

with that being said, if you are using a hitch ball as an attatchment point for a strap, and the strap is rated at 20000 breaking strength and the ball at 5000 lbs then the ball is good for 15000 lbs so long as you dont snatch on it...

this is the article from okoffroad.com

Rating the Capacity of Off-highway Vehicle Recovery
Gear
by Dave Breggin, President of the Colorado Hummer Club
Industry has developed a rating system for cables, slings, and rigging. The
relevant portion of this rating system deals with the Dynamic Load Limit (DLL) or
Working Load Limit (WLL), and the Static load limit. DLL and WLL are just
different terms for the same thing. Static load limit is also known as “ultimate
load” or “breaking strength”.
The WLL is designed to provide a liberal safety factor for the capacity of a piece
of rigging. This factor is at least 3 times the Static rating, and often 4 times or
more.
The difference between Static loads and Dynamic loads are in the nature of the
stresses that the rigging must handle.
Examples of dynamic operations include: lifting by construction cranes, securing
items to a moving platform such as a tow truck or railroad car, and overhead
lifting. These operations involve either high speed movement of a load,
restraining a shifting load, or a desired extra safety margin as when lifting loads
above people.
Static operations are where low speeds are involved and where loads are not
being restrained. When properly done, vehicle winching and recovery operations
are considered static operations.
Please note that the use of a recovery strap in a “rubber band” fashion, where a
slack strap is pulled and stretched by a moving vehicle in an effort to free a stuck
vehicle, must be considered a Dynamic operation.
As a further illustration of the differences between Static and Dynamic loads, look
at the following table listing the DLL of wire rope typically used in off-highway
vehicle winches.
Cable Diameter Typical Winch Rating Cable DLL Rating
3/8” 8,000 to 12,000 lbs 3,000 lbs
7/16” 12,000 lbs 4,100 lbs
The stock Hummer / H1 winch is rated at 12,000 lbs and uses 7/16” cable. The
stock H2 winch is rated at 9,000 lbs and uses 3/8” cable. Clearly the anticipated
use of these winches is not for Dynamic load applications.
Another place where DLL terminology applies is in rating trailers and receiver
hitches. All trailer towing is considered dynamic in nature. The static load rating
of receiver hitches is at least 3 times the dynamic rating, usually more.
Therefore, placing a winch (static) rated at 8,000 to 12,000 lbs in a receiver hitch
(dynamic) rated at 3,000 to 5,000 lbs is not a problem.
Winches are usually sized for the vehicle where they are mounted -- heavier
vehicles usually have higher-capacity winches. Therefore, the capacity of the
winch may be used as a guideline for the capacity of the associated recovery
gear. When using a snatch block (pulley), the winch capacity is effectively
doubled. Therefore, all of the recovery gear should have at least twice the
capacity of the winch.
For instance, if you have a 12,000 lb capacity winch using 7/16” cable, all of the
rigging used with this winch / vehicle should have either a Static load capacity of
at least 24,000 lbs, or a Dynamic Load Limit of at least 8,200 lbs.
By following this guideline you will never have to be concerned about whether a
piece of rigging can stand up to the load applied by the winch. And since the
winch is sized to the vehicle, this same guideline should provide rigging that the
vehicle can use in a non-winch recovery, such as pulling a stuck vehicle using a
recovery strap and shackles.
Notice that the shackle pictured below has a much higher capacity than would be
required for a 12,000 lb winch. A smaller shackle, however, is not physically
large enough for use with the appropriately sized recovery straps.

this looks like the ultimate tool also looks exactly like the one my dad had... ill order this next payday for sure http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-yanker-mega.htm

[loufish]

Definitely get the strap, also buy one with looped ends and not one with hooks.

Good tip...
I know there guys who say they have seen straps break, but I've never the correct sized strap break unless it was not kept clean and dry.
I run a 3" by 30' strap rated for 30,000 lbs, and it's kept out of the sun and dry...I just can't see that thing breaking from my Titan...

[colding]

I ain't layin' down that kind of coin for a mega tow strap to pull other folks out. If my $25 strap can't do the job, time for a tow truck.

[RangerNewbie]

Originally Posted by boya544

. Besides you could tie the strap in a knot if it did break.

I'm sorry - but that's REALLY REALLY bad advice.

I'd go with a strap rated for atleast 20,00lbs- and like someone already said- one with loops not hooks.

Thing with straps though is you need to be cafeful not to loop it over an edge that will fray it- and inspect the strap before every use. If it gets wet- make sure you dry it out before storing it.

With the Gr 70 chain- you're never ever going to break the chain- no matter what abuse you put it through- you'll be ripping of truck parts before you ever ding the chain itself. But it bulky and heavy and generally quite a PITA to haul around.

[Megw3788]

I use crane straps and the rope that they use to tie cruise ships up with, only broken the cruise ship rope once but that was with my Big Ford and Another Ford on 2.5 tons trying to snatch someone out. And the best part is, it's free!

[loufish]

I ain't layin' down that kind of coin for a mega tow strap to pull other folks out. If my $25 strap can't do the job, time for a tow truck.

Karma baby, Karma....

I've only used my strap 3 times, but the day it isn't in my truck will be the day I need it!
I've had real good Karma pulling people out and have good luck with others helping me...

[Megw3788]

Originally Posted by loufish

Karma baby, Karma....

I've only used my strap 3 times, but the day it isn't in my truck will be the day I need it!
I've real good Karma pulling people out and have good luck with others helping me...

Yep, I never charge people to pull em out and it seems like everytime someone has the chance to help me out they do everything they can although it usually ends with me going to get the ol trusty Deere.lol. I know tons of jerks that charge to pull people out, but it always comes back to bite em!