Tow rope/ Recovery strap questions

[5speedcobra]

Hi all. I'm kinda new to the jeep world, and I"m slowly putting together my "emergency" / trail kit.
So far I have a collapsible shovel, a few spare parts, food, blankets, warmers, etc. AND a yellow tow strap (that I always had in my Daytona for towing at the track when the wiring harness falls onto the turbo and leaves you stranded on the back straightaway...so I'd like to put it back in the Daytona JUST in case haha

Eitherway, I was at Princess Auto today, and noticed they had Tow straps, and Recovery straps, some on good sales!
I'm guessing recovery straps is a better way to go than my current 2 inch tow strap. What  size of recovery straps would you guys recommend?
They had 3 inch and 2 inch recovery straps in 20 and 30 foot lengths. I'm guessing 2 inch, but figured I better ask before I buy the wrong one.

Thanks!

Cris

[specialk]

My suggestion.... first stay from the PA crap.   

Hit up Modern.  They have very good prices on straps and the quality is WAY better.    First off- don't buy anything with metal ends.

1) The recovery strap has elasticity to it.   As you pull with your rig,  the kinetic energy helps pop the stuck vehicle out.   2 or 3 inch are fine but bigger is better.

2) Tree savers - if you are going to winch, you want these.   Most are around 5-6" wide and 'save' the tree.  I have few of these and use them as extensions for winching as well...   One short and many long are good. 

3)Winch cable only goes so far.  You can use tow straps (again no metal ends).  or get some lengths on synthetic with looped ends...   and don't use your recovery strap here...

[JohnB]

And 30' is a good length.  Take a course and have someone knowledgeable teach you.  No need hurting someone due to lack of training.  Make sure the Jeep has attachment points front and rear that are stronger than the strap.

[5speedcobra]

Very good to know, glad I asked before buying it at PA! I was at the Jeep club's off-roading 101 last year with my buddy's JK, and the main thing I remember is no metal ends, and never use a anything metal to join two ropes together.

Are they doing that again this year?

[specialk]

You bet...  In June.  Pm me if you are interested.  Registration is not officially open yet

[tubby]

Is the PA recovery strap that crappy?

I bought an ARB strap from Modern and never got a chance to put it into service after owning it for 5 years because I've been using a PA strap. I've never  had any problems with the strap and many farmers I know use the PA straps to recover heavily mired tractors in mud during the spring.  If you've taken a tug from me( there's quite a few here on this forum who have), then you've been rescued by my crappy PA strap 

My two cents?
Get one rated to pull more than triple your vehicle weight, make sure to clean it after use, and check for cuts/fraying especially at the looped ends.

[binare]

All I know is the brand PA sells now is used heavily in the towing industry, same as my 8 year old strap and I trust it more then the other 2 straps I have and it cost about a 3rd of the price. A 2" strap is fine. Tree straps aren't necessary IMHO if you carry a tow strap as well, I just wrap it a few times around a tree, same use as a tree strap but I got an 30' strap for an extension or towing as well if needed.

[cLAY]

I use PA straps as well and havn't noticed a problem with the quality. The ones I bought from Modern are better but in no way are the PA ones sub-quality. I only buy the 3" or 4" straps. I have a 30' I use for towing/yanking and a 10' I use for tree saver and when I need a short tow strap for tight quarters.

Get some hardware(shackles) for hooking up to a vehicle that doesn't have hooks. If using a rear tow hitch get a receiver shackle to slid into the 2" receiver. Never attach a strap to a ball.

[LLYJ]

Ditto - using a 30X3" dynamic PA strap for 2 years in my 2500hd - mostly winter ditch rescues but lots were up steep banks with huge windrows - Thrown the full force of my truck at it a number of times without failure - pretty impressed it hasn't broke


This post requires more cowbell

[bRIBEGuy]

Never attach a strap to a ball.

VERY good point.  We just had a "Safety Incedent" posted at my work about a field opperator trying to tug out a stuck truck with a strap-to-ball connection.  On the second pull, the ball sheared off and as the strap snapped back, the ball went thru the rear window and struck the driver in the head sending him straight to the hospital in emergency condition.   

[specialk]

Well...  Stitching came loose on the loop on one I bought from PA...  I could had a dud but I still consider that crap.   And I'll support a business that supports the club.   

[new2jeepguy]

i got a strap from campbell - mack  supply,        off 32 ave on 12s t ne    its got 30% stretch and its fantastic,   lots of cushion etc was about 40 bucks    well worth the money they will do custom lengths  too and have wire rope. synthetic rope.  will put loops on your cable ,  all that kinda  stuff, will put fitting on the end of your wire rope so you can attach it too your winch drum if you have damaged yours or let the cable spool out to far  like I did;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; duh