Offroad-Express

Hi Guys,
A few questions about snatch straps V snatch ropes
What is bettter?
Do snatch ropes have a load rating?
how much space do snatch ropes take V snatch straps?
These questions come about as the truck is in the panel beaters getting the front fixed after a snatch /recovery strap broke whilst hand winching the truck out of some soft sand.
What type of hand winch should I have been using? as I was using a 2000kg 3metre come along type winch.
I will be replacing all my recovery gear and would appreciate some advice before spending dollars only to find I got it wrong.
My wife bought the snatch/recovery strap for xmas that broke and is talking about no more 4x4ing get a new hobby ect.

I use tow ropes for most tow recoveries. Snatch straps I use for heavy trucks and trucks stuck in mud where you need to break the vacuum. Snatch straps have more kenetic energy in them when stretched. I Have a truck mounted winch and heavy duty hand winch. Where you using your snatch strap as an extension of your winch, if so not good. Go and invest in a good tirfor type hand winch, not those fence puller type ones, they are crap. Watch where you buy recovery gear from as alot of it is just plain crap, especially those marketed by non-dedicated 4wd shops (ie read kmart style auto shops)
Al

nzflyfisher, there is nothing wrong with a comealong for moving stuck vehicles, except 2000kgs is a bit light, your vehicle probably weighs that and then it's stuck in the hardest substance to get out of, but adding in the safety factor, , your probably ok. I would say your fuse was the snatch strap, you need a non stretch winch extension. However when ever winching with what ever you should allways have some form of dampening device over the rope, strop, so if something breaks it keeps the missile on the ground.

GO TO A CLUB OR NEWBIE DAY AND LEARN,

FITZY

Thanks for the info guys . I have investigated a trifor winch and I don't have the dollars. I looked at the winch extensions / tow straps in super cheap but was very under whelmed and they ate charging top dollar too. The local 4x4 store was not much help as they only stock one brand and everything else was rubbish in that proprieters opinion although he would sell me a 7m lenght of 32mm 3ply rope rated at 18Tonnes for $300 splicing extra I declined.
I will keep investigating before spending any money and have made contact with the local 4x4 club with a view to joining it. Steve.

where are you located. If near CHCH then we can point you in a few directions.
Al

I'm located in the north king country
Steve

Can't help with that one, but some of our Nth island boys could point you in the right direction.
Al

I can do recovery gear good stuff at very reasnonable prices includeing winches let me knowwhat u want via pm n ill give u prices

We have a winch kit to use in conjuntion with a hi lift jack. Works a treat, very simply and cheaper than buying the individual bits.