Tow Straps...............
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Tow Straps...............
I do not really care to much for chains and personally I like the tow straps. However once one gets into the 40,000lb range they can become quite expensive. I have been told by 3 people( one is very relieable and the others are soso) that old fire hoses make a hell of a tow strap. I can get one with no problem, I know a fire cheif, but i was wondering if anyone else has ever heard of this. Also what do u all think that the breaking point is. I will get one and try it out in about a week or so butjust curious.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
From: S/C Texas
I have never heard of this. Fire hoses are very strong. Although I must say that 16 years of Fire/EMS has yet to bring me a conversation about fire hoses as tow straps.
My question is why would you need a 40,000 pound to strap?
My question is why would you need a 40,000 pound to strap?
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
DO NOT use a fire hose for a tow strap. They are not designed for this, any termination point you could make on the ends WILL fail. Even if you tied a knot in the end to make loop or eye the knot will decrease the strength by 50% or more.
Recovery rigging is not something to skimp on, your life and the safety of others may depend on it. I know of one poor soul who was killed when his recovery strap failed and the shackle hit him in the back of the head.
In my trade I work with rigging and critical picks every day, I will be happy to answer any Q's you guys have.
Recovery rigging is not something to skimp on, your life and the safety of others may depend on it. I know of one poor soul who was killed when his recovery strap failed and the shackle hit him in the back of the head.
In my trade I work with rigging and critical picks every day, I will be happy to answer any Q's you guys have.
Last edited by nailhead; Oct 23, 2004 at 04:26 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
My dad has a 8" double ply strap that we use to pull stuck tractors out. And i know those ones will stretch nearly twice there lenght then pull a 360hp verstile tractor backwords. (now thats site everyone should see)
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
I agree. Recovery is a critical aspect of wheeling that we should not skimp on. Buy the $70 mondo strap if thats what you need and pass on the old fire hose.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 936
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From: Bay area
not to brag about any procomp crap but I have thier 3" 30k lb strap for 3.5 years now. I have used it alot and used it hard. That strap is still holding strong. If it gets covered in mud I throw it in the washing machine and hang it to dry. If you keep them dry, out of suns harmful rays they will last a long time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
$70 is not a lot of money for a bullet proof tow strap. Think about it man . . . you can spend that on pizza and beer on a Friday night without blinking. It certainly won't seem like much money when it snaps and breaks your legs . . . unless you've got a REALLY good insurance and plenty of vacation time.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
I have learned this the hard way. I have broken just about every type of unerd 20,000 lb rated strap that there is on the market. When I started wheeling I always just figured the weight of the truck and figured that is the starp I needed. After experience and talking to people on sites like this I was educated. DON'T cut corners. Most of the time if you are pulling someone out or being pulled out you are stuck in mud. If you are stuck to the bottom of the cab it is eqaul to 3 times the weight of your loaded rig. I got lucky when I was younger and did not hurt myself or anyone else but the potential was there.