Recently, I shared a breakdown on metal vs. soft shackles. Now that you’ve invested in your shackle of choice, you need to add a recovery strap or straps to your collection. It’s important to know the basic types of equipment, how they are used, and which one(s) you want to carry in your Bronco or Sport.
Just as with shackles, quality, rated straps should have labels with key information, including:
- Product name/intended use
- Raw material(s)
- Dimensions – length/width/diameter/etc.
- Working Load Limit (WLL) for each recommended configuration
- Manufacture date and country of manufacture
- Serial or identification number on what material it is made of, and the MBS (minimum breaking strength) of that device
The pull weight or working weight on a strap should be at least two to three times the weight of your vehicle. Remember that in vehicle recovery, it is critical to be knowledgeable about the devices you are using as well as sound, safe recovery practices. Failure to maintain equipment or misuse can lead to vehicle damage, injury, and even death. Once a strap develops a cut or is abraded, it must be replaced, even if it happens on first use.
Static vs. Dynamic
There are distinct differences between a tow strap and a recovery strap, even though many may refer to them interchangeably. A tow strap is meant for towing or static pulling and is typically made of non-stretching materials such as polypropylene. In comparison, a recovery strap is designed with materials such as nylon and has some stretch. At yet another level are kinetic ropes, which have even more stretch, allowing for kinetic energy to be transferred between the pulling and stuck vehicle, to further aid in the recovery. To remove confusion, I’ll be referring to straps as static, meaning no stretch, or dynamic, with stretch.
Static Straps, aka Tow Straps
There are several varieties of tow straps but typically, they are made of a woven, non-stretch material, with or without metal hooks at the ends. I recommend having a static strap in your kit to use to pull stalled or disabled vehicles, or to use with your winch as a tree saver or in the desert as a boulder anchor.
These straps are meant for towing and are not snatch straps, meaning that all the slack should be removed between the vehicles before the pull is attempted. Because there is no stretch in the strap, damage can occur to one or both vehicles if a pull is attempted with slack in the line. If you find yourself stuck and all you have is a tow strap, you can still use it to try and get free. Hook the strap up to the rated recovery points on each vehicle, slowly take the slack out of the strap, and pull. Use extreme caution if the strap has metal hooks as these can become dislodged or break during a pull and become a dangerous projectile. When towing with a static strap, the person in the disabled vehicle needs to carefully watch the strap to ensure that they don’t run over the strap or run into the rescuing vehicle.
Dynamic Recovery Straps
These straps have elasticity and utilize kinetic energy, stretching and releasing that energy. The elasticity aids with the recovery, while at the same time reducing the likelihood of vehicle damage. Dynamic straps can have varying amounts of stretch depending on the method in which the materials are processed and manufactured. These are often referred to as kinetic ropes.
Unlike tow straps, where you would let all the slack out before pulling, recovery straps contain much more "give," allowing the driver to get a running start. This is more effective in a recovery situation for a couple of reasons. The first is that the vehicle doing the pulling can get momentum and traction. Second, the strap has a rubber band effect on the vehicle that is stuck, providing more energy in the recovery. A kinetic rope or strap should be in every recovery kit. We use ours regularly, especially since I am often in a smaller vehicle and need to maximize my pull.
Basic Best Practices in VAR (Vehicle Assisted Recovery)
Once you have determined the types of straps to carry, it makes sense that we briefly –– and at a very high level –– talk about the actual recovery or pull. Having another vehicle assist in pulling a stuck or disabled rig is typically termed a vehicle-assisted recovery.
When attempting a vehicle assisted recovery, there are a few best practices that need to be followed to increase the chance of a success.
Only One Person Is in Charge
One of the first best practices is that only one person should be in charge of the recovery. This is often the driver of the recovery vehicle; however, depending on the situation and experience level of those on the trail, it may be best to defer to another. Others can certainly make suggestions during the planning stage or call out during the recovery if something is dangerously wrong or someone is in imminent danger, but too many people yelling advice is likely to result in a poor outcome.
Assisting the Pulling Vehicle
The driver of the stuck vehicle should be in the driver's seat during the recovery unless it is too dangerous. The driver is critical in aiding the recovery vehicle by carefully using the accelerator once traction is achieved (and braking, once the vehicle is unstuck). Dead pulls or simply placing the vehicle in neutral make the recovery much more difficult.
Use of Verbal and Non-Verbal Signals
When engines start revving, hearing verbal commands becomes difficult to impossible. Use of good hand signals (and instructing the drivers to watch signals, not their tires), can be very helpful. It is also crucial that both drivers can clearly see the hand signals. If not, the use of a second person to repeat the commands may be helpful.
Keep Others Away
Keep spectators or anyone not directly involved in the recovery away from the area. Two heavy, poorly controlled vehicles are moving, and there is a lot of stored energy in the straps and shackles. If recovery equipment breaks, people can be injured by the projectile or struck by an out-of-control vehicle.
Keep Calm and Safe
Be prepared for Plan B or a revision of Plan A. Many recoveries are unsuccessful on the first try and can become frustrating or even frightening. Stay calm, and most importantly, stay safe. I’ve seen people resort to desperate attempts at saving a rig that put other vehicles or people in jeopardy. You can replace vehicles but not people. One clear memory was a flash flood where a desperate attempt to save a vehicle almost resulted in someone being swept away. If you don’t feel the vehicle can be recovered safely, don’t do it.
I can’t emphasize how important it is to have high-quality recovery equipment and good techniques that will keep you enjoying the trail for years to come. In the next article, I’ll discuss some devices you can use for self-recovery.
Have you participated in or observed an off-road recovery? What equipment did you use? What went well or needed improvement? Tell us about it in the comments.
Comments
You must log in or register to post here.