Towing out snowed in cars - a cautionary tale!

Most of the seious offroaders around here when going on a trip undo the towball any way and take a extra high sheer force shackle. slip the U though the loop in a snatch strap, and the pin through the hole where the towball goes in the bar, and do up. I'd have to crawl under my Trooper/bighorn to have a look to count the bolts or welds, but It would have to (by law) be attached by welding (strong) or high tensile bolts (also strong :) ) to the frame of a framed vehicle. I'm not sure about monocoque bodies.

rhys

Reply to
rnf2
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In message , Mike Romain writes

(cross posted on purpose)

I have been lurking with interest up to now but as I own and run my own vehicle delivery and recovery business I'm afraid that I am going to have to say something.

Webbing straps/strops ARE NOT designed to be wrapped around ANYTHING (except tree strops with a protective sleeve). They are designed to pull in a straight line with no fouling. You start wrapping around chassis and you are reducing the 'safe working load' of the strap and NEVER NEVER re-loop itself back through one of it's loops as this could multiply the strain on the part of the strap going through the loop, always use a shackle of suitable strength and quality for the job. Always use one with a safety certificate so if there is any malfunction you may have a 'possible' claim. My insurance runs into thousands and as part of the health and safety/insurance are concerned my equipment has to certified and checked at regular intervals. As regarding using kinetic ropes, please, if you have never used one of these before be careful and always read the instruction first, they are there for a reason. They can be lethal if not used correctly.

Reply to
Graham Jones

WOW!!! HOW MANY REPLIES!!! GOTTA BE THE MOST I HAVE EVER SEEN!

MC

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Reply to
Mark C.

Try Rec.Scuba.... they really go overboard... 4000 posts in one thread in the archives

Reply to
rnf2

You are correct Graham!

I normally throw away the short straps that were used if they got ripped pulling the stuck vehicle if it was wrapped around sharp points.

I live in Canada though.....

This is a serious rust belt in central and southern Canada, nasty rust belt!!!

I use the straps in a loop, couple feet, loop, couple feet, loop, couple feet, loop idea to spread out the stress.

I then have also just up and cut off the damaged ends and used a tied loop.

Yes I know the knot is a weak point too, but am aware of it.

Same as someone else pointed out the 'working load' of my winch cable isn't the best. I know this and watch my ass.

I also off road a whole bunch so take wear and tear on gear and vehicles as a matter of 'you play, you pay'. ;-)

Here are some photo albums from my of road trips. I organize trips for the central Canadian bunch from a Jeep newsgroup, rec.autos.makers.jeep+willys.

Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Aug02

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16/02
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Easter/02
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Trip Misc.
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build
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Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Reply to
Mike Romain

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