I've done some searching to no avail.

I am looking at what my options are for tow/recovery straps. I don't have a winch, but would like the ability to assist whenever I can. For example, I was driving home a couple months ago, and a gentlemen had drivin his Toyota into a ditch and was unable to back out. What would work the best in these types of situations? Should I get 30' straps with clevis "D" shackles or would a simple tow hook do?

make sure your strap has whoven loops at each end..never metal hooks.

a d-ring is a handy part of an extraction kit..as is a folding metal mil-surp style shovel. a typical strap would be $30 for a 30 foot 20000 lbs breaking strength type. I think that is the typical rating..at any rate, regular sized cars and trucks only need the 2.5 inch strap or so.

If you need to use the D-ring o couple to a vehicle..always make sure it is on the pulling vehicle. if it is on the long end of the strap on the pulled vehicle, it might become a projectile when the metal fails on the stuck car. you can double the loop through it self and wrap it around a car frame if no good hooks are available.

I also pick up some seriously heavy duty 12 ft lifting slings used when I find them for about $15-$20 at surplus stores as a second extension or tree saver wrap around. those are about 4 inches wide and have bigger loops.

An extra hook on the front of your X and a way to couple to your tow bar from the rear should make short work out of hooking up straps. btw, if you need to use a section chain and a strap..same applies..pulled in close to your ride.

Got mine at 4x4parts.com when I had my old 2wd X. Still boxed - never used it. But it goes everywhere with me.

<< Tow Strap Clicky >>

Tow hook up front, then a Hitch Pin on the Tow Hitch was what was reccomended to me. Once I get the Hitch installed on the back, I'm going for the proper receiver recovery point tho, rather than the hitch pin method, which puts stress on the hitch pin that it wasn't designed to take.

I got mine from 4wheelparts.com as well.

I installed a aftermarket hitch on my X and then a few months later bought a WARN Receiver with a shackle works great. Plus tow straps.

Tractor Supply, it was mis labled so they gave it to me for a song. 35000 lbs for something like 25.00 was just to much to pass up. besides if I ever need to pull anything up to 17 tons im covered.

Just look around there are deals to be found, just dont get anything with hooks on it

When pulling out cars...the hardest part is finding a place to attach to that:

A: Won't rip off

B: Won't rub the strap when you pull, cutting/fraying it



Do the attaching yourself....don't trust the stuck party to do it right...

I've seen cars with tow balls on receiver hitches hook to the tow ball...and the tow ball ending up slamming into the rig giving the pull when it rips free, etc.

(That's why you also avoid metal hooks...they can kill you)

Every winter, the cars and Ford Exploders, go flying along, ending up in ditches, fields, deep off ramps, etc...

The Exploders seem to be driven by those who wanted an SUV, but don't know how to drive (The one's I'm yanking back onto the raod at least...)...as in BRAKING seems to be assumed to be as good as GOING...until they do it.

Anyway - Most of the 30' 3" straps I've seen were more than $30, more like $50-60, but 2" ones are in the cheaper range....but I like the safety margin on the 3" ones.



The snatch straps are designed to stretch, and then contract, adding some oomph to the pull, and yanking the stuck rig free...so you need the stuck guy to realize that that action is going to happen so they don't freak out when the contraction accelerates him, etc.

Have Fun!

Hey! Thanks to everyone that hooked me up. Rock on!