200 Basic Recovery Gear - Snatch Strap

[TeCKis300]

I rarely see this talked about and I'd like to learn more about this topic.

The normal line of thought for recovery usually goes to winches. For a number of reasons including weight, cost, and modification, that's just not in store for my setup. Recently been binge watching:



Besides being great down to earth entertainment, it's been hugely informative to the possibilities for recovery with snatch techniques. I'd expect a professional outfit to have a winch and heavy vehicle. He uses neither. What's he's able to do with a kinetic rope and a lightweight vehicle, recovering vastly heavier and some very stuck vehicles is nothing short of amazing (so is the technique). Sure a winch could be much preferred in certain scenarios (e.g. self recovery), but perhaps that's a smaller set than I thought.

Now that I've accepted recovery gear doesn't have to be centered around a winch, teach me some stuff.

I know kinetic rope is higher end and more reusable. Snatch straps can be a better value. I think I'm looking at a 4" x 30' variety for our heavy rigs as opposed to a more common 3" strap?

More thoughts?

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

Subscribed. Been thinking about putting together a basic set of recovery gear just this week. Will be following the conversation with interest!

 

[grinchy]

I don't have a winch. First recovery purchase was a Kinetic rope. I probably ended up with too much diameter but figured I didn't want to rebuy a bigger one later.

Benefitted from a read of @indycole website, which was take stuff that would help someone with a winch rescue you.

There is also a recovery forum on mud with some kit it up threads.

 

[indycole]

I'd add a couple soft shackles and a tree saver so you can use both of your front recovery points for a pull (assuming the recovery points are made for a soft shackle). That also comes in handy if you need to be towed off a trail. I've probably done more snatch recoveries than any other method. IMO, one of the most important pieces for a snatch (or really any kind of recovery) is doing whatever you can to make the pull easier. For instance, in sand, it's important to use a shovel (or whatever you have on hand) to not only clear out the wheels and anything dragging in the sand but to give the wheels a nice ramp out of the situation. Even better if you can combine with Maxtraxx or other traction devices in situations where you are super-bogged.

Heh, I'd almost forgotten about that website. I need to update it one of these days

 

[Stevil]

Self-recovery winches are just that. When I wheel, I am always with someone and we help each other out nearly all of the time with a strap. All those mount points? That is what they are for. Unless someone is totally stuck, and there is absolutely no room to maneuver with the free vehicle have I ever seen the need to winch someone else out.

Now, to change a tire, that’s a different story.

 

[TeCKis300]

So here's what I've wound up with. I won't pretend to be an expert here but have done some research. For those more experienced, feel free to add or correct me.

Here's the basics I'll need to either help someone else, or selfishly help them help me get out of a bind.

1) Snatch strap - What goes between the two vehicles

This could also be a kinematic rope but I'll stick to snatch straps here as they are a better value for an emergency kit. Note that "snatch straps" are distinct from "tow straps" that may look the same. It's important to see an elongation rating in the description as it's otherwise a tow strap that won't stretch and is dangerous to use as a recovery device. A snatch strap will stretch, functioning as a rubber band, storing energy, minimizing instantaneous forces that break stuff, and effects a far better chance at recovery.

A strap needs to be strong enough for the vehicles being recovered. As I tow a travel trailer, I wanted one strong enough for even that type of recovery. I choose a 4" wide one. A 3" could arguably be enough for our 200-series?

A strap needs to be long enough to actually have some length to store energy and allow more flexibility for recovery. In the video I posted above, they very effectively combine multiple kinematic ropes segments to build longer strings to allow a lightweight jeep to recover some really heavy rigs including RVs. Like a longer rubber band, it has more potential to store energy to perform the snatch.

2) Recovery Bridle - Strap that hooks to two recovery points as is needed to hook to the front of the vehicle

As @indycole mentioned, this is necessary to hook to the front as there is no central pull point. This strap will create a "V" for the snatch strap to pull from. Various flavors of this but a shorter section of strap is usually used here. Commonly a "tree saver" strap that is a 3" x 8' is used.

3) Shackles - Link that joins strap eyelets with recovery points

A link that can be opened and closed to tie together the closed eyelets of recovery straps and points. This could be a soft shackle (short section of rope) or a metal D-Ring shackle. It's a personal preference and each has their pro/cons which I won't get into. I choose D-Ring's as they are many times stronger and resistant to sharp metal edges.

Example of bridle with shackle to hook to the front. The 200-series does have factory front recovery points to attach to.

4) Hitch pin - Any generic 5/8" hitch pin allows one to connect the snatch strap eyelet to the rear hitch

It's a proven method and viable for straight pulls. Pulling off angle could result in the strap getting cut against the square edges of the receiver however.

That's it. $100 for a highly functional and strong recovery kit. This setup allows for one to safely pull or be pulled from the front or rear of the vehicle.

Optional:

5) Shackle Hitch Receiver - A more flexible pull point used with the hitch receiver

Splurging a bit, one could add this as a rear pull point. This is safer and allows more flexibility when pulling off angle as it removes the sharp edges of the boxed hitch receiver from the equation.

 

[razzyrazz]

If you do ever go out alone a hi lift jack can be used as a winch. Ronny Dahl one of my favorite youtubers shows all the ways to use a hi lift.

 

[laserturbo91]

If you do ever go out alone a hi lift jack can be used as a winch. Ronny Dahl one of my favorite youtubers shows all the ways to use a hi lift.

@sleeoffroad demo’d this method during last years LCDC get-together. Just beware that you need an additional kit aside from just the jack to use as a winch/hoist. It was very slow and cumbersome during their demonstration. Cheaper than a winch and supporting suspension mods though!

 

[bloc]

With a hi-lift as a winch you’ll want a tow strap or cable instead of a recovery strap, as the limited pull length of the jack makes the stretch of a snatch strap very very frustrating.

 

[bloc]

Also, a round covered lifting sling is a good addition to the kit if you end up in a situation without good recovery points. They are cheap and available in tons of different lengths and load ratings, and can be wrapped around all kinds of other solid objects (frame cross member, wheel spokes, axle tube, suspension arm) and are more tolerant of sharp edges.

In my truck at all times is a soft tool bag with the following:
*3x 3/4” shackles painted bright blue for better visibility
*1 hitch adapter to 3/4” shackle (doing this again I’d find one double drilled so it can be turned sideways if needed)
*1 stainless quick release hitch pin
*1 3-1/4”x30’ ARB recovery strap
*1 3”x8’ tree saver strap
*1 6’ Red double ply covered poly lifting sling (rated for 13.2k pounds)
* Leather gloves
* ARB recovery gloves (THANK YOU to ARB and Slee Off-Road.. I got these just for crashing the dinner at LCDC 2018)


There is some discussion to be had about the quality of 3/4” shackles that are available. I need to see if I can find the link I got some info from.. but basically while we are unlikely to test the strength of the hardware we use, some are much better than others.

Also, for a snatch strap or kinetic rope to last, it needs to be clean. If these things get muddy or sandy, which is basically every time they get used, they should be washed. Ideally not dried in the sun either.

 

[coleAK]

I highly recommend “bubba rope”. For recovery I carry: 30’ bubba rope, tow strap, 4 shackles all the time. In the summer a GI shovel, in the winter a snow shovel/probe and anytime I’m going off road in the summer or on a longer trip in the winter Traxmats.

 

[Charlie Aubin]

HI there - we're n

I rarely see this talked about and I'd like to learn more about this topic.

The normal line of thought for recovery usually goes to winches. For a number of reasons including weight, cost, and modification, that's just not in store for my setup. Recently been binge watching:



Besides being great down to earth entertainment, it's been hugely informative to the possibilities for recovery with snatch techniques. I'd expect a professional outfit to have a winch and heavy vehicle. He uses neither. What's he's able to do with a kinetic rope and a lightweight vehicle, recovering vastly heavier and some very stuck vehicles is nothing short of amazing (so is the technique). Sure a winch could be much preferred in certain scenarios (e.g. self recovery), but perhaps that's a smaller set than I thought.

Now that I've accepted recovery gear doesn't have to be centered around a winch, teach me some stuff.

I know kinetic rope is higher end and more reusable. Snatch straps can be a better value. I think I'm looking at a 4" x 30' variety for our heavy rigs as opposed to a more common 3" strap?

More thoughts?

Well if you can make your wheels become winches the

I rarely see this talked about and I'd like to learn more about this topic.

The normal line of thought for recovery usually goes to winches. For a number of reasons including weight, cost, and modification, that's just not in store for my setup. Recently been binge watching:



Besides being great down to earth entertainment, it's been hugely informative to the possibilities for recovery with snatch techniques. I'd expect a professional outfit to have a winch and heavy vehicle. He uses neither. What's he's able to do with a kinetic rope and a lightweight vehicle, recovering vastly heavier and some very stuck vehicles is nothing short of amazing (so is the technique). Sure a winch could be much preferred in certain scenarios (e.g. self recovery), but perhaps that's a smaller set than I thought.

Now that I've accepted recovery gear doesn't have to be centered around a winch, teach me some stuff.

I know kinetic rope is higher end and more reusable. Snatch straps can be a better value. I think I'm looking at a 4" x 30' variety for our heavy rigs as opposed to a more common 3" strap?

More thoughts?

Hi there - we're new to this forum but what if you make your wheels become the winch. You have the full force of your engine and you're pulling from the lowest point of your vehicle. see Vehicle Recovery using BOG OUT - Mud Bog This doesn't need a secondary rescue vehicle and there's no high speed kinetic engineering involved.

 

[Charlie Aubin]

Subscribed. Been thinking about putting together a basic set of recovery gear just this week. Will be following the conversation with interest!

Hey there Tommy - sounds good

 

[tominboise]

So here's what I've wound up with. I won't pretend to be an expert here but have done some research. For those more experienced, feel free to add or correct me.

Here's the basics I'll need to either help someone else, or selfishly help them help me get out of a bind.

1) Snatch strap - What goes between the two vehicles

This could also be a kinematic rope but I'll stick to snatch straps here as they are a better value for an emergency kit. Note that "snatch straps" are distinct from "tow straps" that may look the same. It's important to see an elongation rating in the description as it's otherwise a tow strap that won't stretch and is dangerous to use as a recovery device. A snatch strap will stretch, functioning as a rubber band, storing energy, minimizing instantaneous forces that break stuff, and effects a far better chance at recovery.

A strap needs to be strong enough for the vehicles being recovered. As I tow a travel trailer, I wanted one strong enough for even that type of recovery. I choose a 4" wide one. A 3" could arguably be enough for our 200-series?

A strap needs to be long enough to actually have some length to store energy and allow more flexibility for recovery. In the video I posted above, they very effectively combine multiple kinematic ropes segments to build longer strings to allow a lightweight jeep to recover some really heavy rigs including RVs. Like a longer rubber band, it has more potential to store energy to perform the snatch.

2) Recovery Bridle - Strap that hooks to two recovery points as is needed to hook to the front of the vehicle

As @indycole mentioned, this is necessary to hook to the front as there is no central pull point. This strap will create a "V" for the snatch strap to pull from. Various flavors of this but a shorter section of strap is usually used here. Commonly a "tree saver" strap that is a 3" x 8' is used.

3) Shackles - Link that joins strap eyelets with recovery points

A link that can be opened and closed to tie together the closed eyelets of recovery straps and points. This could be a soft shackle (short section of rope) or a metal D-Ring shackle. It's a personal preference and each has their pro/cons which I won't get into. I choose D-Ring's as they are many times stronger and resistant to sharp metal edges.

Example of bridle with shackle to hook to the front. The 200-series does have factory front recovery points to attach to.
View attachment 2113187

Do guys make their own tow bridle or buy something? Is that something that some judicious shopping at the local farm supply store could yield?

 

[grinchy]

HI there - we're n
Well if you can make your wheels become winches the

Hi there - we're new to this forum but what if you make your wheels become the winch. You have the full force of your engine and you're pulling from the lowest point of your vehicle. see Vehicle Recovery using BOG OUT - Mud Bog This doesn't need a secondary rescue vehicle and there's no high speed kinetic engineering involved.

Bog out looks promising. I’d love to have winch like options and avoid winch like weight

 

[Charlie Aubin]

Thanks Grinchy - because recovery works from the lowest point of your vehicle (under your wheel) the angle of recovery is extremely efficient and the load applied reduced considerably than compared to a higher mounted winch. Load is approximately 1-2 Tonnes per wheel. Vehicle are recovered up and out of any bog whereas a winch can pull a vehicle down.

Note, we are the inventors and the manufacturers. We are currently looking for youtubers or customers to review and test our product. This is a long video but shows various equipment fails We would love to hear from anyone in IH8Mud that wants to get bogged and try out our gear.

 

[grinchy]

Thanks Grinchy - because recovery works from the lowest point of your vehicle (under your wheel) the angle of recovery is extremely efficient and the load applied reduced considerably than compared to a higher mounted winch. Load is approximately 1-2 Tonnes per wheel. Vehicle are recovered up and out of any bog whereas a winch can pull a vehicle down.

Note, we are the inventors and the manufacturers. We are currently looking for youtubers or customers to review and test our product. This is a long video but shows various equipment fails We would love to hear from anyone in IH8Mud that wants to get bogged and try out our gear.

I did buy a twin pro earlier today to add to my recovery bag. I hope to not have a reason to use it, but if I do I'll report back.

I am not planning to add a winch now between the bog out and recovery boards and the weight savings is really astounding.

 

[TioChachie]

My experience:
wheeling in Tennessee, uphill on slick muddy trails, there is not usually enough momentum to snatch someone out with a strap on really tough trails. You NEED a winch.

Exploring medium difficulty trails or easier and someone gets stuck, you can often get out with a quick tug on a strap, no problem.

However, Pulling cable will usually make for less body/mechanical damage when unexpected difficulties arise as opposed to using the momentum of the skinny pedal.

When wheeling in s group, it sure is nice when folks have functional winches in service.

No problem with a good recovery strap with a come along as plan “A” on easy trails and good buddies with winches for the times you want to run something really tough.

Check out a Grip hoist. Super useful come-along. This is what i would put in the trunk to replace a winch that you don’t have to carry all the time. You can get a long cable so it wouldn’t be such a reset nightmare like using a hi-lift jack as a winch.

 

[grinchy]

I like the bog out specifically because it can be used forward and reverse. I'm out alone often and am mostly just tooling around. The ability to get out backward and just turn around and go somewhere else is what I'm looking for. Forward extraction just a bonus. Haven't used it yet obviously but it doesn't look like much more setup and takedown is much more than a winch. Just another option to have in the bag for when it will apply.