To bridle or not to bridle ...That is the question

dazza85 · Post by **dazza85** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:13 pm

Does anyone use a bridle between 2 hooks? Wouldn't that halve the load between them? I guess its not practical if someone only has 1 on each end of their rig...

From http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=49159#49159

I have often thought about this and the effect it would have on the hooks

I am thinking that you would want the hooks mounted facing out on each side.
When I think of the anchors that I use for absailing and rock climbing the loading would be about 60% (some one correct me if I am wrong)
This would place the load in the best postion on the hook.
I had thought that side loading the hooks might stress the mounts but then I thought about some of the recoveries that I've seen and well ... they haven't all been in a straight line
I was thinking that maybee a tree protector would work well as a bridle and if you thread it through the eye of the recovery strop there would be no added projectiles.

What do you all think ???

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:36 am

Good questions. My thoughts on using a tree protector would be that you would be using it for something it was not designed for. Added to that, using a bridle would only add another thing into the equation that could go wrong. I have used a bridle only when winching when I want to spread the load over the chassis. I would not use a bridle for snatching/towing, only winching. Would be good to hear others views and experiences, especially if they have used one for snatching/towing and what they used.
Al

hinsonberger · Post by **hinsonberger** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:24 am

I have always used a bridle on the front for winching, towing or snatching, but then I have recovery rings/holes to accept a shackle on each one, so maybe you're thinkig of a difference using hooks instead??

I actually use a tree protector for the bridle & have had no problems to date. I went with the tree protector rather than a bridle as it was a 3m length, rather than the 2m of most bridles. I felt 2m was a bit short & might end up putting sideways loads on the recovery points & chassis rails.

Can't see any problems with using a tree protector? They are rated high enough? Someone else might be able to add to this?

Cheers

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:49 am

Thanks for sharing that, might have to try this for myself.
Al

dazza85 · Post by **dazza85** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:44 pm

I actually use a tree protector for the bridle & have had no problems to date. I went with the tree protector rather than a bridle as it was a 3m length, rather than the 2m of most bridles. I felt 2m was a bit short & might end up putting sideways loads on the recovery points & chassis rails.

I thought a tree protector might work for the same reasons
My only concern is it's load rating, for towing and winching I belive that there would be no problems BUT snatching ??? there's the question

Any engieners out there that know about knitic energy ??

hinsonberger · Post by **hinsonberger** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:43 am

I would imagine that as long as the tree protector is rated high enough it shouldn't be a problem. The tree protector is only going to be subjected to the same load as your recovery hooks/points. With the snatch strap doing all the stretching. But thats a good point to raise!

Hopefully someone knowledgeable will be able to answer that for us?

Having said that, I don't really use snatch straps/ropes much. Have seen some horrible examples of poor snatch strap use. People always seem to want to drop the clutch & floor it when a snatch strap is hooked on the back of them!

I prefer a much slower & more controlled recovery with a nylon rope with only a small amount of stretch, or a winch out.

Cheers