I've had tow straps fail where they were sewed. The stitching rotted while sitting in my pickup over the course of several years. I've since gone to a tow chain. When straps or rope break they tend to snap and anything that is attached, like a hook, flies also. With a chain if they break they tend to fall to the ground.

The down side is they are heavy, tend to rust, or leave oil stains on the carpet of the vehicle. I currently use a logging chain with both chain hooks and large hooks on each end. This setup hasn't failed me and seems to be fairly universal.

Take Care and Stay Safe,


P.S. Merry Christmas

If that thing ever disengaged, you'd have one great flying killing machine. Now, the question is, could it become dislodged? If that little cable loop thing in the picture could be used to corral ALL parts of the looped webbing strap I'd feel better about the deal. But it doesn't show that cable thing being using in that manner in the picture.

This brings up a good question: How is the best way to attach a snatch strap with loops on both ends to closed loop tow hooks on each vehicle? It's easy enough to loop and feed the strap through itself on one vehicle, but what about the other? You'd need something that can open and then securely close, like a D-Ring. Is it safe to attach a D-Ring to an existing (closed) tow hook? Should D-Rings only be attached directly to the frame? Assuming you can find an adequate place to attach them - you'd need a hole in the frame at a good spot, wouldn't you?

Good point about the possibility of disengaging, I do think that the cable loop shown is intended and included for that purpose. Still something to consider, thats why its good to ask around before buying some thing's.

regarding D-rings (not the carabiners), how do you use them? Is it welded to the vehicle, or do you throw the ring around an attachment point and then hook the tow rope to then directly?

This is how I do it on my truck:




But, as long as you can find something solid to attach it too (like a factory mounted tow loop) it can be used in various configurations.

Thanks for mentioning the D-rings. It just reminded me again to go out and get a pair for my SUV.

A few weeks ago, at our first good snow of the season, I came across a van who had slid off the road into a ditch. I was second on the scene and the 1st guy (Jeep Cherokee) was hooking up but he looped his tow rope right over his ball joint. Although I thought that was pretty dangerous, I still helped out by being the go between and gave them directions while he pulled the van out. Needless to say, I stayed well clear of the path of the tow rope in case it gave way.

I volunteered to use clean my rope but he was adamant that his dirty, oily rope was sufficient. :-( Fortunately it worked out OK in spite of this.

Followup:



I ordered this 3", 30' long, 27,000 lb tow strap from Cabelas (NOT the sibling with the hooks attached).

I received it today. It is indeed an elastic "snatch" strap. It talks about the elastic capability and mentions doing a "snatch recovery" on the packaging, and how you slingshot the stuck vehicle to get it unstuck. It is made in Canada by Erickson, model #09800. This thing looks like it could snatch an elephant right off its feet!