Offroad-Express

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 ???

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

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

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

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 ??

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