Confused on Recovery Straps
01-20-2016, 12:37 PM
#1
Confused on Recovery Straps
Morning everybody,
I've gone and confused myself about proper safety on recovery straps, so I'm hoping you can clarify a few points that seem to contradict themselves.
As I understand it, proper recovery straps are built with loops on either end, so that in the case of overload, the strap itself will break, and no projectiles would be created (as in the case of improper use of tow straps to recover).
Furthermore, proper use of a recovery strap would have a capacity of 2x - 3x the gross weight of the vehicle you are recovering, to ensure the proper strecth during recovery. It would seem to suggest that an F-150 recovering an F-150 would require a recovery strap rated at 20,000lb - 30,000lb in this case, is that correct?
However, pretty much everything I've read would have you use a 3/4" D-ring shackles or a D-ring shackle hitch receiver as a recovery point, and these D-rings seem to have a working load limit of 4.75t, or just 9,500lbs.
So, wouldn't that mean you've gone and made the shackle the weakest part of the process again? If the system fails, won't it actually be the recovery strap that breaks, but the shackle, and voila, you have yourself a fast-moving metal projectile?
Let me know! Thanks!
I've gone and confused myself about proper safety on recovery straps, so I'm hoping you can clarify a few points that seem to contradict themselves.
As I understand it, proper recovery straps are built with loops on either end, so that in the case of overload, the strap itself will break, and no projectiles would be created (as in the case of improper use of tow straps to recover).
Furthermore, proper use of a recovery strap would have a capacity of 2x - 3x the gross weight of the vehicle you are recovering, to ensure the proper strecth during recovery. It would seem to suggest that an F-150 recovering an F-150 would require a recovery strap rated at 20,000lb - 30,000lb in this case, is that correct?
However, pretty much everything I've read would have you use a 3/4" D-ring shackles or a D-ring shackle hitch receiver as a recovery point, and these D-rings seem to have a working load limit of 4.75t, or just 9,500lbs.
So, wouldn't that mean you've gone and made the shackle the weakest part of the process again? If the system fails, won't it actually be the recovery strap that breaks, but the shackle, and voila, you have yourself a fast-moving metal projectile?
Let me know! Thanks!
Last edited by Montol; 01-20-2016 at 01:21 PM.
01-20-2016, 01:12 PM
#2
Mark
iTrader: (1)
A rule of thumb ... 1 and a half times of what your working load is. yes you do want a strap that has the loops and yes you do want to use a "D" ring.. so if you wanted to ****** an F-150 with your F-150 you would need a 10,000lb strap or more to be overly safe. and 4.25 tons = 8,500lbs not 9.500lbs. You would want a "D" ring to match your strap weight limit
01-20-2016, 01:33 PM
#3
A rule of thumb ... 1 and a half times of what your working load is. yes you do want a strap that has the loops and yes you do want to use a "D" ring.. so if you wanted to ****** an F-150 with your F-150 you would need a 10,000lb strap or more to be overly safe. and 4.25 tons = 8,500lbs not 9.500lbs. You would want a "D" ring to match your strap weight limit
So, reasonably speaking, and from what all the equipment is that I can see regularly available, using 3/4" D-ring shackles rated for 9,500lbs WLL, and a 20,000lb capacity recovery strap is going to be a safe combination so long as I'm not planning on recovering anything heavier than a fellow F-150 anyways?
01-20-2016, 02:07 PM
#4
Mark
iTrader: (1)
Yes, thank you - misprint on the tons:lbs conversion there. 4.75t, not 4.25t. Edited that in the OP.
So, reasonably speaking, and from what all the equipment is that I can see regularly available, using 3/4" D-ring shackles rated for 9,500lbs WLL, and a 20,000lb capacity recovery strap is going to be a safe combination so long as I'm not planning on recovering anything heavier than a fellow F-150 anyways?
So, reasonably speaking, and from what all the equipment is that I can see regularly available, using 3/4" D-ring shackles rated for 9,500lbs WLL, and a 20,000lb capacity recovery strap is going to be a safe combination so long as I'm not planning on recovering anything heavier than a fellow F-150 anyways?
01-23-2016, 09:44 PM
#6
End of the Earth
You could use a soft shackle too instead of a d ring: http://www.bubbarope.com/gator-jaw-soft-shackle
01-25-2016, 10:16 PM
#7
Member
I have soft shackles as well as d rings. Gives me options especially when the car you are hooking up to has no tow hook or the opening is too small for the d ring pin.
I need a new recovery strap though. I heard bubba ropes are decent, but I need to do some more research.
I need a new recovery strap though. I heard bubba ropes are decent, but I need to do some more research.
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01-25-2016, 10:44 PM
#8
End of the Earth
I have soft shackles as well as d rings. Gives me options especially when the car you are hooking up to has no tow hook or the opening is too small for the d ring pin.
I need a new recovery strap though. I heard bubba ropes are decent, but I need to do some more research.
I need a new recovery strap though. I heard bubba ropes are decent, but I need to do some more research.
02-12-2016, 09:44 AM
#9
Senior Member
FYI, the MAX weight rating on your D-Ring is the Failure point, not the complete failure of D-Rng point, failure would be deformation of the Pin and/or Ring, if you see your ring starting to elongate, or see more or less threads visible, on the end of the pin chunk it, it has hit it's failure point.
02-13-2016, 04:55 PM
#10
Senior Member
What are peoples thoughts on the tow hook ball hitch? I see most people go with the D ring option. The only advantage to the D ring is it prevents the strap from falling off right? Being that live in MN where winters can be tough I want to get a recovery strap and a tow hook so I dont have to unthread a D ring in the cold winter.
