![]() ![]() Some companies will advertise that their product is a "recovery" strap but in reality, it's not. Without this information, there is no way of knowing how much stress the strap can take which may lead to problems down the road. If the product you are considering to buy does not have a tow rating (break strength), then do not buy it! Legitimate companies will always have a rated breaking strength listed next to their product. However, there are a couple of things to look out for before purchasing. When the time comes to buy your own tow strap or recovery rope, you're going to notice there are a ton of options out there. Nonetheless, it's important to double-check the tow rating before purchasing. The tow rating of recovery straps is directly related to the width of the strap moreover, the most common size for standard 4x4 recovery is 2-3" in diameter. This type of strap tends to look like a big piece of rope, as compared to a tow strap which is much flatter. Just like tow straps, recovery straps come in all shapes and sizes. All the more reason to carry both types of straps with you. Since recovery straps are more stretchy, it makes winching with them pretty difficult. Once the strap is all the way stretched out, it will snap back to its original length, yanking the stuck vehicle out with it. Second, the strap has a rubber band effect on the vehicle that is stuck. The first is that the vehicle doing the pulling can get momentum as well as traction. This is much more effective in a recovery situation for a couple of reasons. Unlike tow straps where you would let all the slack out before pulling, recovery straps contain much more "give" allowing the driver to get a running start. Another reason recovery straps work well is the fact that you can get a running start with one. The elasticity in the strap makes the strap snap back to its original length in a recovery situation. One of the reasons recovery straps work so well is due to the kinetic energy the strap will generate. Unlike tow straps, recovery straps are elastic. Obviously, the higher the tow rating, the safer the strap is. It's recommended that the pull rating of your strap is 3x the weight of your vehicle. While searching for a tow strap that would fit your needs, it's important to note the pull rating of the strap. This is great for giving your winch line some extra length. Tow straps come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and the most common length is 20 feet. However, the rigidity and length of a tow strap make them very useful for winching. It's important to remember that tow straps have very little elasticity, meaning you should not get a running start. All you do is hook the strap up to a rated recovery point on both vehicles, slowly take the slack out of the strap, and pull. If you find yourself stuck and all you have is a tow strap, you can still use it to try and get free. Due to the lack of "give" in a tow strap, they should not be used for yanking a stuck vehicle out of whatever it's stuck in.Įven though tow straps should not be used for aggressive tugging, they still have a place in recovery. Tow straps contain little to no elasticity making them perfect for towing vehicles. The main difference that separates a tow strap from a recovery strap is the amount of "give" each strap possesses. What are the differences between a tow strap and a recovery strap? Tow StrapsĪlthough tow straps are not technically recovery straps, they are still useful in a recovery situation. This comes in handy when you are out adventuring by yourself. Even if you have a winch, a tow strap is a great way to give yourself some more length. The nice thing about straps is that they are a lot less expensive than a winch.Īlthough in some situations they are not as effective as a winch sometimes all you need is a little bit of help to get yourself out of a tough spot. Whether you're frame deep in mud or broken down in the middle of a trail, it's important to have a strap in your recovery arsenal. If you like taking the road less traveled, then sooner or later you're going to get stuck. Using the wrong strap in a recovery situation could not only result in damage to the involved vehicles but injury to bystanders as well. One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to off-road recovery is every strap is a recovery strap. The Difference Between Recovery Straps and Tow Straps and Why It's So Important ![]()
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