What do you use for a tow rope?

[x-guy]

Well you know, sometimes I ride with some cats and polaris, so its always a good idea to carry a tow rope hehe j/k but anyways, I used to use plain old rope, but its become brittle and will probly break if I had to use it again to tow someone out, so I want to replace it, what do you guys use in case of a breakdown? I thought about getting something stronger than a chunk of rope, because the area we go into is harder to get out of now than years ago, and would put that much more stress on the rope. so do you guys carry a strap, rope, some type of super strength cord to pull dead sleds? and what kind of length do you bring, keeping in mind it would have to go in my pack, I saw a strap on royal distributing that hooks to the skis on the dead sled, and then on the bumper, but it didnt give me a length, and it looks cheap.

Thanks

 

[Ollie]

I use the snowbunjee tow straps. Give you a semi-solid connection between the towning vehicle and the towed vehicle. I also carry a tow buddy.

 

[Jaynelson]

I bring a beefy tiedown in the pack and most guys I ride with do the same. You can tow with em, link em together for more length, and even tie stuff down

 

[pgsledder]

This. If you live near a princess auto they sell a 2000lbx10-30' rope like this for $9.99

 

[drinkwyo]

I carry a 8-10 foot ratchet strap. Works great for towing. Get the one with the sliding D-rings on each end. Also works well in other emergencies, such as strapping your sled to a tree so it dont roll down the chute u could'nt make it up lol.. Sure their are lots of ideas though

 

[H20SKE]

50' of mooring line for a boat 3/8". Should be about $14.00 tops. It is great for other problems you can run into as well--sleds over drop offs or hanging in the tops of trees on hill faces or creek holes.

I get the nylon braided covered morrage line--it resists abrasion--and got to test it towing out my 1000 with a pair of 250hp machines and it worked great.

H20SKE...

 

[Summitseeker]

Princess Auto actually sells a "snowmobile tow strap". It has one hook on one end and splits into two on the other end with shackled hooks to hook on the the a-arms or skis. $9.99. I have one in my back pack for when my driveshaft breaks on my XP!

 

[Old-n-Slow]

snowbunje straps! They work great. Hook it up and head for the trailer no need to look back it will be right there!!!!

 

[skidoorulz]

This. If you live near a princess auto they sell a 2000lbx10-30' rope like this for $9.99

2000lbs.You must tow out a lot of Yamahas

 

[mac900rmk]

Princess Auto actually sells a "snowmobile tow strap". It has one hook on one end and splits into two on the other end with shackled hooks to hook on the the a-arms or skis. $9.99. I have one in my back pack for when my driveshaft breaks on my XP!

We tried one of these last year towing out of Silent Pass and it didn't last long. The strap broke right at the hooks. This was towing downhill and then a short distance on the trail out. I carry a tie-down and 20 feet of rope with a real carabiner on the end both rated for heavy loads now. The rope is great for pulling sleds out of creeks and stuff. The carabiner is big enough to easily snap on the ski hoop.

 

[BIGROB]

I use climbing rope from REI. If you ask them a few questions and tell them what you are using it for they can steer you in the right direction. They make quite a few different grades and sizes, some with more elasticity than others. The guys I ride with all use the same stuff and we have never had one break yet plus it is lightweight and it packs down small.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

REI = tree huggers

here is a factory strap for the Poo guys
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51815

 

[Weekday Warrior]

http://www.rei.com/aboutrei/csr/2006/active_advocating.html

For 2006 our public policy agenda pursued the following activities and efforts:

National support and funding for public lands, and in particular, continued and adequate funding for the Land Water Conservation Fund, with an emphasis on the program's state-side funds.
Continued protection of high-quality federal recreational lands as identified under the Roadless Rule implemented during the Clinton Administration.
Active support of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and its efforts to secure state funding for protection and enhancement of public lands, trails, habitat and farmlands in Washington state.
Financial support and the endorsement of two state-level conservation ballot measures.

Click on the following links for additional information on REI's actions on national or state-level advocacy.


REI's Priorities for Stewardship and Business Responsibility
After thoughtful evaluation of REI's social, environmental and economic impacts we established the following priorities for REI's stewardship and business responsibility initiatives. These include:

Encouraging the active conservation of nature
Inspiring the responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors
Enhancing the natural world and our communities through responsible business practices
Fostering opportunities to increase participation levels in human powered recreation, with a focus on today's young people
Maintaining REI as an employer of choice, where employees are highly engaged in the vision of the company and are representative of our marketplace

 

[MARV1]

I use braided 3/8"x100' line,costs about $15 and lasts for years. When I am done with it during the winter it goes into my boat for the summer. Also use it to tow another boat if I have to, or drag a whale to shore.

 

[BIGROB]

http://www.rei.com/aboutrei/csr/2006/active_advocating.html

For 2006 our public policy agenda pursued the following activities and efforts:

National support and funding for public lands, and in particular, continued and adequate funding for the Land Water Conservation Fund, with an emphasis on the program's state-side funds.
Continued protection of high-quality federal recreational lands as identified under the Roadless Rule implemented during the Clinton Administration.
Active support of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and its efforts to secure state funding for protection and enhancement of public lands, trails, habitat and farmlands in Washington state.
Financial support and the endorsement of two state-level conservation ballot measures.

Click on the following links for additional information on REI's actions on national or state-level advocacy.


REI's Priorities for Stewardship and Business Responsibility
After thoughtful evaluation of REI's social, environmental and economic impacts we established the following priorities for REI's stewardship and business responsibility initiatives. These include:

Encouraging the active conservation of nature
Inspiring the responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors
Enhancing the natural world and our communities through responsible business practices
Fostering opportunities to increase participation levels in human powered recreation, with a focus on today's young people
Maintaining REI as an employer of choice, where employees are highly engaged in the vision of the company and are representative of our marketplace

Well I am not really in tune to all their opinions, and am more of the mindset that trees are excellent traction. But I have a limited number of shopping options around and it is hard to beat the quality of stuff they sell and the no questions asked return policy they have. Not trying to tell you where to shop anyways. The key of the post was what I use not where I purchase it. if you can find it somewhere else and you would sleep better at night then go ahead. Plus it is kinda fun to tell them you are buying it to use for snowmachine recovery in the backcountry. They almost choke instantly, you should try it.

 

[revpilot]

http://wtsherrill.com they carry a rope for guying big trees made of silk that's super tough or buy one of the adjustable slings.

 

[mtn_extreme]

Mule tape

 

[POLZIN]

REI are you nuts rather than buying rope from them just get a new sled it would be cheaper REI is the most expensive place I have ever seen besides a ski resort . back to the pont just get the snobunje to rig its just as good as all there stuff and reasonable as well.

 

[Coldfinger]

Not sure of the brand, but around $12 for 50ft of 3/8" braided 350# rope at Menards. Can also be used in Rope Ratchets. This rope allows some stretch so if you are towing a machine you don't feel all the sudden jerks as you go over bumps, etc.

 

[BigAir]

Sno Bunje. Works great and doesn't cost a lot.