cheap chain vs. good chain
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 171
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cheap chain vs. good chain
can can you tell the difference between a good type of towing chain and a cheap set that will just break. i need to use this for towing out of mud holes. do you think 3/8 chain is big enough? should i be looking for welded links, galvinzed cahin or what?
any help or suggestions would be great
any help or suggestions would be great
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 8
I strap can still cause some decent damage if it lets loose but a chain is more like a grenade; straps are far safer. I always like seeing people who tie a chain around their hitch ball to pull someone out.....ha.
Matt
Matt
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 32
From: southwest pa
i use chains lifting dies at my work. have a 3/8 chain snag something and suddenly let go. had a 25lb hook shoot straight up 15 feet. chains load up like a slingshot. they have their place and purpose. i work with chains every day and i'm very comfortable around them, but this is not something i would get a chain for. nylon straps are also alot easier to manage than a chain. not as much weight for the biggest advantage. also remember, chains and straps must be inspected for wear to be safe and within their tolerances.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
Just a tip.. if you're using a strap in mud make sure you rinse it out real good with the hose when you get home or the mud will eat away at the fibers and weaken the strap.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
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Get a dedicated nylon recovery strap. NOT A TOWING STRAP, a recovery strap will not have metal hooks at the end (which just turn into flying projectiles when the strap breaks) And whenever possible hang a coat or blanket over the middle of the strap when pulling with it (one more way to slow momentum when it breaks)
Take good care of the strap, wash out all dirt and air dry after every use to prevent the dirt breaking the fibers and slowly weakening the strap.
Ive got a link somewhere of what happens when you try to recover with a towstrap i'l try to find it
Take good care of the strap, wash out all dirt and air dry after every use to prevent the dirt breaking the fibers and slowly weakening the strap.
Ive got a link somewhere of what happens when you try to recover with a towstrap i'l try to find it
Have a nice Beer!!!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 1
From: WA Resident
There is a topic in the towing forum. Exact same issue. Which is better/safer. Check out the picture of the guys truck who was airlifted to the hospital. Stick with the Recovery Strap as Scott said above.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,853
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Heres that link, i'l head to the towing section and post it there also
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Recov...p-Accident.htm
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Recov...p-Accident.htm
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2075770/3
about half way down is the rope of preference. Super strong, will outlast any strap, (I used to go through around two 6" wide straps a season) and is more effective than any strap. This is easier on vehicles without the violent repercussions.
Worth every penny.
Still have to keep it clean. Poor maintenance is the quickest killer of recovery straps, and ropes.
about half way down is the rope of preference. Super strong, will outlast any strap, (I used to go through around two 6" wide straps a season) and is more effective than any strap. This is easier on vehicles without the violent repercussions.
Worth every penny.
Still have to keep it clean. Poor maintenance is the quickest killer of recovery straps, and ropes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 1
From: sunny fla sometimes windy
Most of the time when either breaks it is from overloading. ****** blocks and that
does NOT mean to haul @$$ and yank the stuck truck!! I have pulled countless
dumptruck, cement trucks, pick up, loaders out with a 1/2" chain that is only 12
foot long. Of course you have to be a damn good driver to pull up within 12 foot
of another stuck truck and not get stuck yourself. Less number of links= less
chance of a break it is a simple murphys law math problem. The only time I had trouble
with it was pulling a 70 k# loaded dump truck out of a field that had nasty clay under
the wet grass neither of us dug in we both spun and went nowhere I told him to stay
within 5 feet either side of my tracks but NO I am gonna take a shorter route to the
dump site was his thinking, I was following a bit of a high spot that ran through the
field he didn't see, which is the best way AVOID getting stuck with proper line choice
and you will not have to use a chain or strap!!
does NOT mean to haul @$$ and yank the stuck truck!! I have pulled countless
dumptruck, cement trucks, pick up, loaders out with a 1/2" chain that is only 12
foot long. Of course you have to be a damn good driver to pull up within 12 foot
of another stuck truck and not get stuck yourself. Less number of links= less
chance of a break it is a simple murphys law math problem. The only time I had trouble
with it was pulling a 70 k# loaded dump truck out of a field that had nasty clay under
the wet grass neither of us dug in we both spun and went nowhere I told him to stay
within 5 feet either side of my tracks but NO I am gonna take a shorter route to the
dump site was his thinking, I was following a bit of a high spot that ran through the
field he didn't see, which is the best way AVOID getting stuck with proper line choice
and you will not have to use a chain or strap!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Like everyone said, get a strap for recovery=recovery strap.
Clean it after each use.
I don't like chains, but always carry one or two....If nothing else, I've use it to make a attachment point on a stuck vehical.
Or if the truck is barely stuck, and I don't feel like getting my strap dirty and cleaning it, I'll tighten up the chain and pull them out. Then through the chain in the bed(no clean up).
Just to say....hardened grade 5, 5/16 chain would be a little lighter than 3/8" and stronger, but regular old 3/8" would work for light pulls.
Clean it after each use.
I don't like chains, but always carry one or two....If nothing else, I've use it to make a attachment point on a stuck vehical.
Or if the truck is barely stuck, and I don't feel like getting my strap dirty and cleaning it, I'll tighten up the chain and pull them out. Then through the chain in the bed(no clean up).
Just to say....hardened grade 5, 5/16 chain would be a little lighter than 3/8" and stronger, but regular old 3/8" would work for light pulls.
Last edited by MBBFord; Feb 3, 2008 at 09:37 PM.