Upgrading a lot of my stuff with the new truck. WRT tow straps, what size works best. Most likely will be used for pulling a stuck vehicle along the road or campsite. Not off-roading. The 4” x 30’ nylon I’m leaning towards has 46000# breaking strength. Is there any benefit going to a 4” vs 3” when the 3” has a breaking strength of 35000#, i.e. less bulky, easier to use, etc.? Want the 30’ vs 20’ just to keep a space from the stuck vehicle as people do stupid things. Will pull from a shackle in the hitch receiver. Anyone ever snap one? Thanks

 

The thing to keep in mind with tow straps is that most of them are not intended for kinetic recovery. If you take the slack out of them carefully and only start pulling after it's tight you don't need a crazy strong strap. I have a 3" x 20' strap that's served me well using it carefully like that. And for pulling someone out of a ditch or something that's often all you need.

With that type of recovery I like the shorter strap as it keeps everything easy to manage. If you are a long way from the stuck truck it can be harder to keep your truck out of the traffic flow or you start getting into a corner or something.

If the vehicle is stuck worse and you need to take a run at it, then longer will be better (more to stretch so it won't hit as hard). But then I'd start looking into the kinetic recovery ropes (Bubba Rope, Yankum Rope, Matt's Off Road Recovery, etc). They seem bulkier than straps, and they aren't cheap! But whatever you get, make sure it's rated for KINETIC recovery.

And either way, I'd stay away from anything that has metal hooks on the ends. You don't want a metal hook slipping off something and shooting through your cab.