View Poll Results: do you use recovery straps when winching
yes
20
71.43%
no
8
28.57%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll
tow strap when winching
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 0
From: MONTREAL; CANADA
tow strap when winching
hi there me again 
I read that you should vnr use your tow straps or recouvery straps same thing when winching
i've used mine for winching because it was the only thing big enough to fit around the rock that was at the top
now is it bad only cause of the abrasions to the strap or is it un safe ?
I read that you should vnr use your tow straps or recouvery straps same thing when winching
i've used mine for winching because it was the only thing big enough to fit around the rock that was at the top
now is it bad only cause of the abrasions to the strap or is it un safe ?
JK Freak
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
There are basically three situations where a tow (jerk) strap and winch line might come into play at the same time. Here are a few "givens." (1) the tow
(jerk) strap is rated at at least 20,000 lbs test, or more, and it is 20 to 30 feet long. Tow straps are designed to stretch about 50% in length and the snap back to assist in the towing action. Hence the term "Jerk" strap. (2) Your winch, and winch line, are rated at least one and at half times the weight that you will be moving. Remember that the suction effect of mud or trying to tow a vehicle up a steep hill can add 50% or more to the weight that the winch has to deal with. (3) You understand that a winch only works at its rated capacity when the line is on its first rap around the drum. Each layer above that will decrease its pull capacity by about 20% (4) The winch operator has read the instruction manual and knows what he/she is doing.
Situation 1: Vehicle to vehicle tow in which the first attempt was with a tow strap, but it didn't work. Due to the drastically different stretch characteristics of the tow strap and the winch line, the tow strap should be removed after the winch line is secured. If the next attempt, with the winch only fails, a snatch block can be attached to the vehicle being towed and the line will then run from the winching vehicle to the snatch block on the vehicle being recovered and then back to a tow hook on the winching vehicle. This will double the "pull power" of the winch. This method has never failed me. Everything depends on the overall length of your winch line.
Situation 2: You are all by yourself in the boondocks and get stuck. You have a tree saver, but the tree is too big or the only tow anchor is a rock which is also too big around to use your tree saver. But, you do have a 30' 20,000 lb test tow strap. Unless you plan on taking up residence at the rock, I would use the tow strap, realizing that damage to the tow strap will be done by the tree or rock and that you should replace your damaged strap asap after you return. Again I would use a snatch block in this situation. But that's just me.
Situation 3: Your friend's stock JK "X" Unlimited is stuck in the mud and the only dry place you can find is about 115' from his stuck JK. If you have a 125'
tow line, you will not have a problem. However, most winches are equipped with a 100' line. So there you are, 15' short of making a recovery. But wait, you have your faithful 30' 20,000 lb test tow strap. Will it work? Mathematically, yes. But in this situation disaster in lurking in the details.
If you have a steel winch line, it has almost no stretchability. A synthetic line can stretch about 10 to 15%. But, your tow strap can stretch about 50%.
So there you have it. The tow strap will stretch to its limit, then the winch line will stretch to its limit, but in doing so it will cause the tow strap to break because it is already at its limit. The possibility of damage and injury are very high in this situation. That's why I carry an extra 25' of winch line with me when on the trail.
Recommend that you read your winch owner's manual and go out in the woods and practice a few tow situations.
(jerk) strap is rated at at least 20,000 lbs test, or more, and it is 20 to 30 feet long. Tow straps are designed to stretch about 50% in length and the snap back to assist in the towing action. Hence the term "Jerk" strap. (2) Your winch, and winch line, are rated at least one and at half times the weight that you will be moving. Remember that the suction effect of mud or trying to tow a vehicle up a steep hill can add 50% or more to the weight that the winch has to deal with. (3) You understand that a winch only works at its rated capacity when the line is on its first rap around the drum. Each layer above that will decrease its pull capacity by about 20% (4) The winch operator has read the instruction manual and knows what he/she is doing.
Situation 1: Vehicle to vehicle tow in which the first attempt was with a tow strap, but it didn't work. Due to the drastically different stretch characteristics of the tow strap and the winch line, the tow strap should be removed after the winch line is secured. If the next attempt, with the winch only fails, a snatch block can be attached to the vehicle being towed and the line will then run from the winching vehicle to the snatch block on the vehicle being recovered and then back to a tow hook on the winching vehicle. This will double the "pull power" of the winch. This method has never failed me. Everything depends on the overall length of your winch line.
Situation 2: You are all by yourself in the boondocks and get stuck. You have a tree saver, but the tree is too big or the only tow anchor is a rock which is also too big around to use your tree saver. But, you do have a 30' 20,000 lb test tow strap. Unless you plan on taking up residence at the rock, I would use the tow strap, realizing that damage to the tow strap will be done by the tree or rock and that you should replace your damaged strap asap after you return. Again I would use a snatch block in this situation. But that's just me.
Situation 3: Your friend's stock JK "X" Unlimited is stuck in the mud and the only dry place you can find is about 115' from his stuck JK. If you have a 125'
tow line, you will not have a problem. However, most winches are equipped with a 100' line. So there you are, 15' short of making a recovery. But wait, you have your faithful 30' 20,000 lb test tow strap. Will it work? Mathematically, yes. But in this situation disaster in lurking in the details.
If you have a steel winch line, it has almost no stretchability. A synthetic line can stretch about 10 to 15%. But, your tow strap can stretch about 50%.
So there you have it. The tow strap will stretch to its limit, then the winch line will stretch to its limit, but in doing so it will cause the tow strap to break because it is already at its limit. The possibility of damage and injury are very high in this situation. That's why I carry an extra 25' of winch line with me when on the trail.
Recommend that you read your winch owner's manual and go out in the woods and practice a few tow situations.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton, CA
Having been through a winching course with the famed Mark Smith, I have to pass 2 things on.
1. you can use a treesaver type nylon strap for winching or pulling a vehicle free
2. NEVER< NEVER < NEVER use a nylon strap with the metal tow hooks on the end.... they seem to fail at the most in opoutun times and they become bullets. I saw one go from the front of a jeep through the windshield then the headreas then through the hardtop out the back of the jeep. Fortunatly no one was hurt, had it hit someone seated, it would have KILLED them!
1. you can use a treesaver type nylon strap for winching or pulling a vehicle free
2. NEVER< NEVER < NEVER use a nylon strap with the metal tow hooks on the end.... they seem to fail at the most in opoutun times and they become bullets. I saw one go from the front of a jeep through the windshield then the headreas then through the hardtop out the back of the jeep. Fortunatly no one was hurt, had it hit someone seated, it would have KILLED them!
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Provo, UT
