I need to get some recovery gear. Is there any difference in brands? They all look the same.

 

I use the 'bungee' looking snatch strap. Works like a champ. I think mine is a smittybuilt.

 

Hit the web site of any of the sponsoring vendors like Quadratec or 4WD.
You'll find many recovery (snatch) straps to choose from. All are good.
Smittybilt, Teraflex, Rugged Ridge, Mile Marker, Ramsey, SuperWinch, ARB, Warn, etc.
Main differences are length, width, price.

You'll want at least 20' x 2"
For really heavy duty go for 30' x 3"

You can also go to a place like Harbor Freight and buy something that looks like a snatch strap and may even be labeled as good for 20,000 lbs or more.
BUT
You're playing Russian Roulette with your life and your friends.
Go to the guys who sell the right stuff and be confident that if you use it correctly, your risk is minimized.

 

The #1 name in recovery in my opinion is ARB. Check out those straps they are the best strap out there.

David

 

I have a 30'x3" strap by smittybuilt. It's one of the best thing to keep in the rig. Also I would have a 30' over 20' strap

 

Any of the name brand stuff will work. Just make sure to stay away from anything with hooks!

 

Lots of good straps out there. Industrial lift straps work great and cost less. They are found anywhere industrial supplies are sold.

Watch the ratings. An industrial strap is rated for "working strength" which is a lot lower than "breaking strength". A lot of kit straps only give the breaking strength or they provide a number that is not very useful because it doesn't tell you which it is.

My industrial straps have a working strength of 12,800# but they are thicker and obviously stronger than some brand name recovery straps that have higher numbers.

Another thing to consider is the rating drops to less than half if the strap is used as a choker. That's one good reason to use a shackle instead of looping the strap through itself.

 

Just make sure you check if the strap you are buying is a true snatch strap (stretches to store energy and remove shock load) or just a recovery strap ( fine for gradual pulls but no stretch so can damage bits if used in a snatch recovery)

 

This is absolutely true! Lift straps are cheaper and don't offer the energy transfer characteristics of recovery straps. Don't go cheap on something this important. Your arguing over 40 or so between cheap and expensive.

 

completely agree with this. Was out a few weeks ago and watched a stuck rig break two straps trying to get out. Pulled out the mac daddy ARB Snatch Strap 24K and popped that JK out first pull. In that instant alone, it was worth the few extra bucks.