I use a 10,000 lb strap to pull people.

 

I might get this one from harbor frieght 6K max http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... 61226.html

 

If there's one thing I wouldn't buy from Harbor, after hearing about their other items, would probably be a tow strap. :lol:

 

Could probably pull a big rig with that. Lol.

This is what I went with.

 

A 2800lb strap to pull out a vehicle weighing over 4,000lbs and that is likely stuck in something adding to the load on the strap.

Doesn't sound like enough to me.

For recovery purposes you want a recovery strap, not a tow strap. A recovery strap will have some stretch to it to help snatch the vehicle out.

 

I use a 3/4" chain. About 7 feet long.

 

I've got something very similar to Jason, except mine I think is a bit longer. I wouldn't use it for anything huge, just the occasional small car that dug its wheels into the snow, or another pickup...don't go showing off :lol: don't want to have hooks flying through windshields or anything...

One thing you want to remember is NEVER to dead pull something - always have the other person working with you (i.e. if you're pulling someone out from behind, get them to be in reverse). Plan the length of your tow strap accordingly - the longer the better.

 

Harbor has a 30 ft recovery strap rated at 9000 for $34 with some good reviews, I'm gonna pick that up this week since its on my way to work. I really don't plan on using it much just nice to have but if I am gonna have it I wanted to make sure I had the right equipment.

 

You want 3-4 times the weight of what you are pulling in breaking strength of strap. A 2" (around 18000lb breaking) is fine in most case unless what you are pulling out is crazy stuck. A 3" more then enough. Also too big isn't good either because it won't stretch and recoil like it should.

Canada's version of harbour freight below. I also worked there for 12 years.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/2 ... -p8021847e

 

Amazon is where it's at! 30ft x 3" strap 26-40bucks

 

Here's what i'm looking at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181671598964?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001CF4UX ... SX200_QL40
This is the one I have. Only $3 and some change more

 

Put a blanket over The strap when you go to pull and if it was to snap The blanket would slow it down and keep it from flying into your truck or some one else. Just a safety tip use and old blanket as well.

 

You should NOT use a strap with METAL ends for recovery.

I have the harbor freight one, not a harbor freight fan but it
is a good quality strap.

 

http://www.bubbarope.com

There are certain things to cut cost and save money on. But with the potential cost of body damage to a truck or car yours or the one being pulled out from a cheap strap . Let alone the danger or being hurt or killed by a broken strap

thank you N8DH

I could not get it to work with out your advise

 

video is private....take out the "s" from "https" in your link

 

Here's what i'm looking at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181671598964?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I bought that one and I bought a 2" x 20' one as well. Didn't get a chance to use either one yet, we barely got any snow this winter. It says Smittybuilt on it but when you get it, it's got a made in china sticker on it and it's very close to the same one you can get at any store in town.

Get yourself some D-rings too

I also got a thing to put in my hitch that can hold a D-ring.

 

Yep, I know I am digging up an oldie here but I didn't see much sense in starting a new thread.

I have a couple recovery straps but I have used them for pulling stumps and other stuff and they are pretty tore up. Besides, I can't remember what they are rated for. I am planning on getting a new one and am looking at a 2", 22foot smittybilt recovery strap.
http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-CC220- ... bilt+cc220

Then I figured I would pick up a D-Ring hitch from Harbor Freight for $10.00. I figured and have always before used my hitch and trailer ball but for $10.00 I figure why not.
http://www.harborfreight.com/d-ring-rec ... 66212.html

I know, some are going to say I should get something stronger and to stay away from HF products but I figure that if I or someone else is too stuck that a 20,000lb strap isn't enough for, then it is time for AAA. But, I will welcome any thoughts and advice. I am mostly buying with winter coming up and the very real possibility of needing to pull someone out of a ditch.

But, I have one very real question that I would like answered about doing the recovery process. What is the best way to connect the strap to the D-Ring when you have a strap with just the loop on the ends?

 

Those should be fine. I have a strap from harbor freight that is 2" and I think 20k breaking strength.

I've only used it on my quad with a tree limb so I can't really comment on how it works for vehicle recovery. I just keep it in the truck for emergencies.

I might be tempted to just get the 3" though since it's not terribly much more money.

 

I checked HF for straps and their best recovery strap that I found was only rated for 9,000 lbs and over $30.

 

Maybe it wasn't harbor freight then. I will have to check.

 

Just found this though. If you have a Menards in your area, seems like a pretty good deal.

http://www.menards.com/main/p-144442572 ... 7442242954

 

Used the one they sell at home depot cause I was in a bind and someone was stuck. Guy bought the strap as we were miles from anywhere and found a home depot. Was a 20k lb recovery strap. Which is different than a regular tow strap as it stretches and snaps as you yank the stuck vehicle. A tow strap is static, not really made for a snatch and grab.

Anyways, that home depot strap was made by reese. 20ft long and 2" wide. held up for eons, finally snapped yankingout a stuck 2500hd in a mudhole. Bought a professional strap from towing supply for 30 bucks. 3" wide and 30k lb rated.

 

For general light truck recovery work a 15,000 pound and up tow strap or recovery strap will work. Just don't yank on a tow strap or use a yank strap for towing.

Also, chains and straps with hooks or rings or any other metal object on the ends are a bad idea because in case something breaks if the strap goes flying you now have a heavy metal objects flying at great speed towards one of the vehicles. People have been injured and killed due to things like that.

 

But, I have one very real question that I would like answered about doing the recovery process. What is the best way to connect the strap to the D-Ring when you have a strap with just the loop on the ends?

I always run the loop through the D-ring; meaning I unscrew the bolt holding the D-ring on, put the D-ring through the loop, then reattach the D-ring and bolt to the shank in the receiver.

Odds are likely that I'm having to make a loop at the other end to attach to the vehicle I'm extracting, so the D-ring is the last connection I make between the two vehicles.

You can loop the strap through the D-ring on itself, but then once you start to pull it's rubbing against itself, which causes excessive wear or even melting (if it's nylon or polyester).