Michigan Jeepers Loose member to strapping accident..

OK, I meant 2 1/2 inches in diameter, not feet, that would be more like a catapult load...

demonstrated

I have no doubt that looping the straps together may make a stronger connection, depending on the dowel used in the toggle method. However, IMHO, if the wood breaks using the toggle method, it served as a safety buffer by preventing something very seriod from breaking off one of the vehicles. If the straps disconnect, the worst that would happen is the stuck vehicle is still stuck. Unless you're trying to pull it up a rockface, in which case you shouldn't be using a tow strap to begin with.

If the wood breaks using that method, it 'will' still go ballistic.

Hard wood at ballistic speeds is just as dangerous as steel.

Mike

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:

Have you ever seen how hard a strap can come up?

Hard enough of an 'impact' to shear hooks and bolts and tear off bumpers.

The stick sees the exact same impact.

The impact from trying to snatch Steve Seppala's YJ out of a snowbank snapped off my rear cross member. We are talking channel steel structurally welded onto the frame.

This thread started because a gent got killed when a 'steel' clamp let loose in between two straps due to that same impact. A chunk of wood is 'just' as deadly stuck in the same place that steel clamp was if it lets loose!

To each their own I guess, but 'I' sure won't recommend using a freaking stick as a structural point in a tow setup that is for sure and that Mark gent still needs to be slapped!

Mike

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:

Well ok Matt but I am convinced that there is way too much variability in what everyone who would try this method might interpret as a suitable piece of wood. And if what was demo'd was not done properly, it could result in that chunk of wood becoming a missle that could be every bit as deadly as the shackle that everyone should know is deadly in that useage.

I don't see any benefit at all of connecting the loops together only via a piece of wood and not looping the loops through each other with a piece of wood/dowel through them to assist in getting them apart after the pull is completed as has been done since day one.

I'll continue looping my straps through each other when a winch or single strap can't be used or available. :)

Jerry

When I was about 8 my Dad had a 62 International Travel-all. We were in Baja at Estero Beach, and a whale had washed up. We watched the Mexicans try to get it back into the water, then they decided to eat it or something, so a cop shot it a few times. They enlisted Dad's help to try and pull it up the beach. They wrapped a chain around it's tail, and Dad started pulling. I was in the back of the rig, watching out of the tailgate window when the beast moved it's tail and the chain parted at the rearmost hook. It flew up and left a line of dents on the roof and hood from bumper to bumper. It could have been a lot worse. Be careful.

If it goes ballistic, it won't go ballistic toward either vehicle, but at a

message

Mike Roma> I used to have a photo, I will look around and see.

Yep. I'd wager a dowel would have kept your crossmember from ripping off. What was the strap hooked to on your vehicle that it would remove the crossmember?

Now THAT'S (

Jerry

Exactly!

Thanks, I have bookmarked that site.

Mike

Steve wrote:

You need some basic physics Matt....

The strap is stretched. When it lets go it heads back in the opposite direction it was stretched from sending any loose pieces ballistically in that direction. No matter a clevis, hook or dowel, they 'all' go the same way if the loop grabs them and takes them along for the ride.

Think sling shot.

Mike

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:

Think David and Goliath.

My straps have loops like pockets, not holes.

Mike

Matt Macchiarolo wrote: