Originally posted by sandmanX:
If both stretch, what's the real advantage of a strap over a "rope"?
Just to clarify, there are three different things to pull a vehicle.
"Tow Straps" have low ratings for pulling before they snap, usually 5000-7000 lbs. And sometimse come with metal hooks, which in their cases is ok because they are
NOT to ever be used for yanking! They are for towing a disabled vehicle that can still roll, so they rarely pull more than 3000 lbs. Their bennefit is they stretch just enough to absorb the shock of pulling a stopped vehicle into motion from a red light without jarring both vehicles. (Ever tow a vehicle with a chain and you know what "jarring" I'm talking about.)
"Yank Straps" have a rating of 28000-32000 lbs and are used for yanking stuck vehicles. Since they pull with such high force they should never have metal hooks on the end since they can break and become dangerous projectiles. Their bennefit is that depending on their use they can multiply the pulling force of a vehicle long enough to get it unstuck and rolling.
"Chains" are used for pulling vehicles out at a slow speed such as with a winch, come-a-long, or Hi-Lift, or to drag downed trees off the trail. Their bennefit is that they don't stretch at all.
Sounds like most straps in these kits are "Yank Straps".