What's the difference between a tree protector and any other strap?

 

they are usually short 6-12 feet only.

 

A tree saver is a non-elastic, usually very wide (8+ inches) designed to wrap around a tree without doing damage.

A Tow strap is a long strap usually with hooks at either end and limited to about 10% strech (use only on road)

A snatch strap is a long strap with no hooks (usually loops) that is used to pull out another stuck vehicle. It has a stretch capacity of upwards of 30% to reduce the sudden jaring when pulling a stuck vehicle and to increase pulling capacity with its rebound (like a rubber band).

They each have a different purpouse and should not be interchanged. If you dont have the money for one of each a snatch strap is usually the best bet to carry. Secondly get a tree saver and lastly a tow strap (you will use it the least if you use each strap for its intended purpouse).

 

An additional note, DON'T buy a tow strap with metal hooks.
I've seen a picture of a metal hook that came loose, went through the rear window, the head rest and drivers head, through the front windshield, and was laying in a puddle of gore on the ground in front of the Jeep.
These should be illegal!!

 

Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated.


JeeperDude, I've seen that same pic and yeah, it's an eye opener... but once I got to thinking about it, well, every single winch that I see out there has a tow hook on the line and every time I've seen a tow line used no one has ever bothered to remove said tow hook... So what's the difference?

 

You put weight... (like an old heavy blanket...actually ARB makes a good recovery damper blanket)...on the winch cable. As incredible as the force involved is, just a small amount of kinetic energy (weight of said blanket) pushing down will cause the cable to drop to the ground right away. You should ALWAYS use one of these when winching. Also, another good reason for synthetic line.

 

I just got my ARB one in the mail this week!