Heavy Duty tow straps?

[94fordguy]

So I'm thinking about upgrading my gear a bit to be better prepared for a 'stuck' situation... Last year I had to pull out a couple rigs and my buddy had to pull 1 out when we took his rig. The strap I currently carry if I remember right is a 2" wide strap 15 ft long with hooks at each end - I don't remember the weight rating, guessing about 5K lbs maybe.

So I'm looking at new ones and pretty convinced I want to go with a double-looped strap instead of using hooks and getting some heavy-duty shackles (clevis pins) for positive connections at each end so there is no chance of a strap slipping loose.

What kind of a weight rating are you guys carrying on your tow/recovery straps and shackles?

I've been looking at some on E-bay and seen straps ranging from 15,000 lbs breaking strength all the way up to 36,000 lbs breaking strength with up to 20% stretch and recoil characteristics. I've also seen some 3/4" diameter shackles rated for 9500lbs working load limit (breaking claimed at 6x that).

Also wondering if I should limit my choices specifically to straps classified as "recovery" straps or if a generic 'tow' will work ok for the occasional stuck truck?

These are a couple of the choices I am considering....
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-TOW-STRAPS-4-...544?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56427baf68
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

As well as these...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2ea-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Thanks for any advice you have

 

[Blk88GT]

Get the "recovery" strap. It still won't hurt to carry some shackles as you never know what kind of situation you'll get in to.

 

[MT rydn]

check out bubbarope or equivalent. recommend a snatch/recovery rope such as that. also rec shackles and don't pull on the ball. get a couple extra draw bars without ball in place if need to in case guy you are pulling out does not have.
friend yanked out my truck with trailer attached using one of those ropes...I bought one and left my tow tope/tow chains at home

 

[Blk88GT]

If a real drawbar is not available,, I've had good luck using just the pin in the hitch.

 

[94fordguy]

check out bubbarope or equivalent. recommend a snatch/recovery rope such as that. also rec shackles and don't pull on the ball. get a couple extra draw bars without ball in place if need to in case guy you are pulling out does not have.
friend yanked out my truck with trailer attached using one of those ropes...I bought one and left my tow tope/tow chains at home

Some nice looking stuff for sure, but WOW is that stuff spendy!


Good advice on the hitch & shackle setup... I have seen a few of those before and was thinking that wouldn't be a bad idea

 

[MT rydn]

agree is spendy but now more relaxed with a bubba rope, shackles, extra draw bars without hitch balls, tire chains and never going down a forest service road unless at least one more big truck in the party!

 

[zr600]

I have an arb snatch/recovery strap it is a 3 1/4x 30 you can get them from www.4wheelparts.com. I wouldn't recomend the tow straps, they don't stretch as much which will help you get the stuck truck out. I would get at least a 3" strap or something rated around 30000 lbs.