Recovery/tow line, what brand to buy???

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

srkpaco

srkpaco

10 Year
Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Threads
84
Messages
273
Location
Austin, TX.
I just bought my first Toyota, it's an 04 Land Cruiser. I live in Austin and spend time on coast and at ranches on the weekends. What is a good recovery line that I can through in my LC? I don't need the best of the best just something to pull buddies out or the sand and occasional mud that doesn't cost a ton.
 
When you say 'recovery line' I assume you mean a snatch strap or recovery rope. I prefer recovery ropes due to their added stretch potential (up to 30%) versus a typical snatch strap (up to around 10% give or take.) Recovery ropes are more expensive than snatch straps though.

We use a 7/8"x20' recovery rope in the company FJ Cruiser. It has a break strength of 28,500 lbs. If you up size to a 1" rope the break strength goes up to 33,500 lbs. Prices are $89 and $104 respectively. They can be found online HERE.

index.php


Straps are cheaper. Our best selling strap is a 2"x20' strap with a break strength of 20,000 lbs. These are nice straps but not overly expensive. They can be found online HERE. In the pic below the 2"x20' strap is on the right and a 3"x8' tree strap is on the left.

index.php


A quick Google search showed the 100 Series curb weight to be 5,390 lbs and the gross weight to be 6,860 lbs. Check those numbers and then calculate the safety factor you want built into a device. I'd suggest a safety factor of 3:1 at a minimum with more being better/safer.
 
The last poster hinted at it but in plain words a tow strap and a recovery strap are two different animals.

Tow strap - very little stretch, used for towing a vehicle which is not stuck ie low rolling resistance.

Recovery strap - has built in stretch which acts like a rubber band to aid in pulling a vehicle out of mud, sand, etc.
 
A snatch strap (medium stretch) or a recovery rope (high stretch) can be used both to tow, but a tow strap (low stretch) should not be used to snatch.

I recommend at least a snatch strap (medium stretch) or better yet a recovery rope (high stretch) that can be used well for both purposes.
 
You can use tow strap to recover stuck vehicle .. putting tension in the strap first and then gentle pulling the stuck vehicle out.
 
Agree with the Kinetic Recovery Rope recommendation. They are more versatile than the standard tow or snatch straps. We have a lot of people who really like regular towing with them since is makes the towing process a lot smoother. If you are going to get one rope to carry around, why not get something that can do more?

We specialize in these ropes - it is all we do. Our prices are excellent (won't post here) and we're running a 15% off sale now through April 1. Check us out and save some $$.

Spring Sale Thread Here

-Ryan
 
I have come to be a fan of the ropes over straps for recovery use. I can buy it from my local marine supplier in as long a length as I want. (Sometimes a 100 foot snatch rope comes in real handy!)

One thing to consider if you do not use your recovery gear often or hard... a rope takes up a lot more room in the rig than a strap of the same length. For some of us, the trade off is more than worth it, but for the occasional casual tug, you will probably be served just fine with a strap that will stow away a lot easier.


Mark...
 
Mark W said:
I have come to be a fan of the ropes over straps for recovery use. I can buy it from my local marine supplier in as long a length as I want. (Sometimes a 100 foot snatch rope comes in real handy!)

One thing to consider if you do not use your recovery gear often or hard... a rope takes up a lot more room in the rig than a strap of the same length. For some of us, the trade off is more than worth it, but for the occasional casual tug, you will probably be served just fine with a strap that will stow away a lot easier.


Mark...
Click to expand...
What do you ask for at the Marine store? There has to be a Buzillion types of rope for boating.
 
rusty_tlc said:
What do you ask for at the Marine store? There has to be a Buzillion types of rope for boating.
Click to expand...

You are looking for dockline. There are several types, but a couple you should try to find if they can get it.

Samson Super Strong.
Yale Yalon
New England Ropes Nylon Double braid

All are a nylon/nylon double braid construction, but are high tenacity. Which basically means stronger than other regular nylon double braids. You can also look for mil spec MIL-R-24050E.
 
The key is "double braid high-tenacity nylon". whether it is called a dockline or an anchorline or whatever.

There are a couple/few brands out there and you should be able to find the information on all of them (breaking strength, stretch, weight and of course cost. ;) chances are any one supplier will have one brand that they carry, but most quality brands are pretty comparable.

Here is a link with some info on the Samson double braid nylon. note how much stretch it has even at light loading.

http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?ind=1&app=5&rope=104&inst=1


The Yale Yalon specs seem to show a lot less elastic elongation for their rope, but they are virtually identical ropes, so there must be something I am missing in the comparison.

http://www.yalecordage.com/pleasure-marine-ropes/anchoring-mooring-specialty/yalon.html


Mark...
 
Last edited:
rusty_tlc said:
I priced out the line at our local boat shop, with no ends it was about the same price as a regular tow strap. Unless I needed a specific length it probably wouldn't be worth it.
Click to expand...


The appeal of the marine rope (to me) is the greater stretch and energy storage, the more honest strength ratings and higher durability under heavy use, as well as the ability to have it in much longer pieces. Plus, for myself anyway, I have access to wholesale prices. ;)

If you are looking for 20 and 30 foot pieces at retail prices then it is not gonna be a price advantage thing I expect.


Mark...
 
And prices for commercially packaged 4x4 recovery straps off the shelf are higher up here. :(


Mark...
 
Chances are your not going to be as serious as Mark, and that is ok.
The 24,000lb arb one has served me well. It did its job.
Keep the straps clean after use and keep them out of direct sunlight during storage and they will last a long time.
Take up very little space too.
 
Straps do work very well for recovery - but in most cases ropes work better. More stretch = more kinetic energy to get rigs unstuck, and more stretch = more comfortable towing. Straps do work but I prefer ropes. The downside to ropes is the higher price and larger space they take to store.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom