Your outdoor adventure class did not end well if they never taught you how to use a tow strap. An ideal outdoor adventure comes in with the important aspect of being prepared for the unexpected. That is why driving in rugged conditions means you have a quality tow strap with you.
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What is a Tow Strap?
Tow straps are for pulling stuck vehicles in sand, mud, or snow. You can also refer to them as snatch straps usually made from nylon or a high-quality webbing with stretching properties. They have loops on each end paired with a D-ring and a snatch block.
The straps are available in different lengths and widths with every inch ideally pulling 10,000 pounds. The wider the tow strap, the more it can pull at the expense of elasticity. When it comes to pulling, elasticity helps in pushing the stuck vehicle forward.
The Way to Use a Tow Strap
- Attach the Hook to the Pulling Car.
- At the rear of the car, you will see an inbuilt solid mounting unit that accommodates the bumper points.
- In the case of a trailer, you will notice some steel hoops for mounting the hook. The hook must be secure.
- Attach the Two Straps to the Car to be pulled.
- When the strap is secure on the pulling car, look at the pulling car somewhere below the bumper you will see a solid mount. If you are unsure, there is nothing wrong with consulting the manual.
- Pull the Car.
When Pulling the Car, Keep the Following in Mind
- Do not pull unattended vehicle without the use of a straw trap.
- No jerking movements make sure your drive is smooth throughout the pull.
- Maintain moderate speed when towing to maintain the tension on the strap.
- When the two vehicles are under the control of one driver, the pulling vehicle should move forward slowly until the strap is straight and start moving slowly.
How to Increase Pulling Capability of Your Strap
- If you ever find yourself in sticky situations, consider using your tow strap with a snatch block. Snatch blocks come in handy when the vehicle is stuck.
- Running the tow strap through the snatch block and connecting to both ends of the tow strap attached to a D-ring.
- Keep pulling the winch and watch how a simple pull can move large objects.
Tips for Using Tow Straps
- Make sure the strap is in excellent condition with no frays, cuts, or poor stitches.
- Use the D-ring adaptor for towing because it will be used for the hitch.
- Make sure that all the hardware used is rust free and does not have any defects. You should check both the tow hooks and from the hitch.
- The tow straps should be attached on a strong steel hook found on the bumper of the car. Any attempt to use the bumper of modern day cars will leave you disappointed because they cannot hold so much pressure.
- You should have a recovery strap just in case the main one breaks. Lay the tarp on top of the recovery strap to slow down the breaking strap.
- To minimize wear and tear, all the large blocks or logs on its path should be out of the way of the tow strap path.
- After you have moved the vehicle, ensure that you inspect the tow strap to make sure that is ready for the next pull and push.
- When the car is out of danger, dive slowly because too much sudden force may lead to damages to the vehicle or the tow strap.
- Confirm if what you are doing conforms to the installation guideline of your particular make.
- Store tow strap away from direct sunlight and heat and keep it clean all the times because dirt will damage the fibers.
When Tow Straps with Hooks is Risky
However strong a tow strap may look, they do not lock the strap completely. There are cases where even those with a safety hatch breaking down and failing to hold. A hook that comes out of its position when the strap has enough force on it is a potential threat to anyone standing on its way.
Final Words
Now that towing a stuck car is no longer a problem and you will get an opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. Having a recovery tow strap, a snatch block, and D-rings will save a lot of trouble like braving the weather to get help.
Having the recovery hardware handy will save you a lot of time and money you could have spent summoning the emergency services and the towing expenses. Once you get to know how to use the tow strap safely, you will enjoy using it in every situation.
Tell your next adventure story by explaining to your peers how you used a tow strap to get out in the middle or snow or mud. Let them forget the dangers but remember the thrills.