What snatchy to buy?

[macca]

Last weekend an old mate in the club completely destroyed his clutch, it had to happen at the worst track of the weekend.

We all pitched in and got him on flat land, then did a double tow to get him to a spot where the NRMA would pick him up with their tilt tray.

A 4B ran out a snatchy to mine and mine to Joe's using my "new" snatchy, Had it since 08 and never used it.

After towing him 20 odd kilometres up and down some nasty hills the strap is probably past its use by. We were glad we used snatch straps as the shock load was adsorbed extremely well.

I need to replace it and don't know what is the best.

ARB look the goods but I am a sceptic not believing in marketing. Others look identical too.

Dollars spent in fancy advertising doesn't mean its good.

The tree trunk protector I used as a bridle/load share is buggered too as is the dampener.

By the way TD's recovery points showed no wear at all.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

Cheers Macca.

[threedogs]

A few years back I brought my 10,00lb hooks from a mob in Melb
They made load restaint products as well as all straps for ARB< TJM and opposite lock. go figure
As for what size bigger is not always better for a Patrol a 8000KG with 20% stretch should be fine.
Good the hear the recovery points did their job and then some.
Super Cheap actually won one snatch strap comparo years ago.
I wouldnt buy fancy coloured ones when a plain blue or white will do the same thing

[rkinsey]

Macca, I have the Spanset recovery kit and the snatch strap in that, as well as the other gear, is top notch.

Cheers,

Rob

[macca]

Yes 8000KG is what I'm after

[BigRAWesty]

I'd personally grab a kit. Be it arb, iron man, etc etc.
but is stay clear of no names or masters.


54868

[threedogs]

Saw somewhere a hose bag for RV's looked like a great way to carry or store straps

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Hosetamer-Water-Hose-Bag-Caravan-Camping-RV-Storage-Regular-Handy-Holder-/150991271506?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2327c7f652
Have you thought about going to Nobles or similar shops for your recovery gear??
A lot cheaper than a 4x4 shop, cut out the middle man

At least now you have a strap for dragging fire wood back to camp.....

[the evil twin]

Technically, you should never, ever, tow with a Snatchy.
Sometimes in the bush then needs dictate otherwise but it should be limited to an absolute minimum.

Why?
Because if you are travelling at any speed above fast walking pace you can kinetically load the vehicles to two or three times its mass.
So much so that they have no braking effort or steering and are uncontrollable if something goes pear shaped esp in corners, descents or difficult sections of track.

I would also be very wary dragging firewood.
No biggee with smaller stuff but if a decent log digs the nose in and the strap loads up you could get a sight more than a towball thru the window.
Think what happens when a bull bar lets go, there was a fatal with that happening about two or three years back

[macca]

Technically, you should never, ever, tow with a Snatchy.
Sometimes in the bush then needs dictate otherwise but it should be limited to an absolute minimum.

Why?
Because if you are travelling at any speed above fast walking pace you can kinetically load the vehicles to two or three times its mass.
So much so that they have no braking effort or steering and are uncontrollable if something goes pear shaped esp in corners, descents or difficult sections of track.

I would also be very wary dragging firewood.
No biggee with smaller stuff but if a decent log digs the nose in and the strap loads up you could get a sight more than a towball thru the window.
Think what happens when a bull bar lets go, there was a fatal with that happening about two or three years back

Thankyou, 100% agree with what you have written.

This situation was my call, my gear and attached to my car.
Joe was in my camera view nearly 100% of the time.

We had some long uphill tracks to get through, I didn't want Joe to get hung up while I drove on using a non forgiving connection between us.
Yet the strap was long enough for him to see where to go and the stretch gave him a chance to alter his lines a little from the direction of the pull.

I would definitely use a snatch strap in this off road situation again, BUT, when on the road a tow rope or winch extension is better.
Also being very careful to not pull him down hill or through corners for the reasons you suggest, this is not a "go hard or go home" exercise.
It wasn't a perfect recovery even though we safely got him out without damage to his car.

I am known in our club for not taking any risk with recoveries, to the point of being thought of as a PITA.
I can live with that, yes please.

After it was all over Joe grabbed a ride home and he said the worst bit was on the road.
Another guy was towing him and was a bit quick through the corners, so Joe felt he was being flung around like on a rubber tyre behind a ski boat.
Then it bucketed down, not fun at all.

[the evil twin]

Hiya Macca,
Totally agree with you cobber.

I posted purely thinking of others who may read the thread (jeez this forum has some serious visitor numbers now) and not have the experience to pick up on the reasoning some of us do what we do or identify the risks that we have already mitigated.

[macca]

Hiya Macca,
Totally agree with you cobber.

I posted purely thinking of others who may read the thread (jeez this forum has some serious visitor numbers now) and not have the experience to pick up on the reasoning some of us do what we do or identify the risks that we have already mitigated.

Yes you are correct to do so, what we need to do in this situation is make a cuppa and stop to think about it.

Work out the risks, talk to the impacted people, agree to a plan and stick to it.

What we did Sunday may not be the best in another situation, that's possibly where the less experience need a little help.

We only have one life, might as well stick around to enjoy it.

[the evil twin]

If you want one of the best Snatch Straps available in Australia, here is the manuf link.
I did a bulk buy for our Club a while back and they were very cost effective as well as being awesome quality.
Just don't order a 100 tonner by mistake, the freight would be a killer

http://www.comsew.com.au/comsew/?page_id=59

[threedogs]

If you want one of the best Snatch Straps available in Australia, here is the manuf link.
I did a bulk buy for our Club a while back and they were very cost effective as well as being awesome quality.
Just don't order a 100 tonner by mistake, the freight would be a killer

http://www.comsew.com.au/comsew/?page_id=59

About ten years ago maybe more I had some snatch straps made with that safety lanyard on it.
Go figure the TLCCV rejected them as un safe, some of the reasons why definied lodgic
even down to what type of ink was used to mark them, do gooders who knew nothing,
but sadly thought they did, needless to say it never took off,
Yet the DA team were keen to trial them[seagulls]
Even sent some up to 4x4Australia mag to test

[the evil twin]

Only reinforces what we all suspect about TLC members.

I recall posts a while ago about a comparo in 4WD action where most straps broke before or around their ratings.
When I was researching straps for work (and play, what a coincidence) Commercial told me they rate their straps breaking strain at double the snatch capacity which is why anti-recoils are so important.
They also mentioned that as 90% of their products are for industry/marine/military the materials used need to meet Aust Standards for lifting gear etc.

IMHO there should be an A.S. on Snatchies as well.
At the moment there is only a packaging standard so you can make a strap out of white licorice and gorilla snot if you want, it just has to have the packaging correct

I am sure there are other manuf around who have similar products, Commercials just happen to be here in Perth.
It's a bit like rated shackles, you can buy lower grades from 4WD outlets where the origin is suss and they have been drop punted around the store or go to Bullivants, Slinglift etc and get a higher grade one for 1/2 the price.

[Cuppa]

Have never used a snatch strap. I have one, plus a load sharing strap. The snatch is rated at 12,000kg. Now I’m concerned that it’s not what I need,. Don’t really want to have to buy another.... but should I?

[the evil twin]

Have never used a snatch strap. I have one, plus a load sharing strap. The snatch is rated at 12,000kg. Now I’m concerned that it’s not what I need,. Don’t really want to have to buy another.... but should I?

The strap should be between 2 to no more than 3 times the actual weight of the smaller vehicle in the snatch.

12,000 is a tad high old mate but I wouldn't be rushing out for another one.
Just be aware it is not going to be as elastic as you might expect if you ever have to use it.

[BigRAWesty]

The strap should be between 2 to no more than 3 times the actual weight of the smaller vehicle in the snatch. 12,000 is a tad high old mate but I wouldn't be rushing out for another one. Just be aware it is not going to be as elastic as you might expect if you ever have to use it.

Spot on. It's a common misconceptions that the bigger rating is bigger.
But that's not right.
I'd go 8000 max. You need the lesser rating so the strap stretches and you use the Kinetic energy in the strap.
By going bigger it doesn't stretch as well and will be much more violent.

[Clunk]

I'd personally grab a kit. Be it arb, iron man, etc etc.
but is stay clear of no names or masters.


54868

nothing to do with being an inferior product, just inadequate safety labels

[Clunk]

If you want one of the best Snatch Straps available in Australia, here is the manuf link.
I did a bulk buy for our Club a while back and they were very cost effective as well as being awesome quality.
Just don't order a 100 tonner by mistake, the freight would be a killer

http://www.comsew.com.au/comsew/?page_id=59

yep they certainly were very cost effective, wish I had got a couple more as back ups

[macca]

If you want one of the best Snatch Straps available in Australia, here is the manuf link.
I did a bulk buy for our Club a while back and they were very cost effective as well as being awesome quality.
Just don't order a 100 tonner by mistake, the freight would be a killer

http://www.comsew.com.au/comsew/?page_id=59

We have a club meeting on Tuesday, will see if I can gather some interest in a group buy. No reason I couldn't do one here to. Will give them a call Monday for pricing.

[threedogs]

Can't remember what those straps cost me to get made,
I still have the road test that Dean Mellor at 4x4 wrote
even he said they were the bee's knees.
@ Cuppa with a strap with a rating that high you could damage either
4x4 in the recovery, you need to allow the strap to do its work

[BigRAWesty]

nothing to do with being an inferior product, just inadequate safety labels

Quality control mate. Who knows what defects are in them??

[BigRAWesty]

If you want one of the best Snatch Straps available in Australia, here is the manuf link. I did a bulk buy for our Club a while back and they were very cost effective as well as being awesome quality. Just don't order a 100 tonner by mistake, the freight would be a killer http://www.comsew.com.au/comsew/?page_id=59

That is some serious bits of kit there.

[threedogs]

Have never used a snatch strap. I have one, plus a load sharing strap. The snatch is rated at 12,000kg. Now I’m concerned that it’s not what I need,. Don’t really want to have to buy another.... but should I?

I would suggest an off road course on the safe use of all recovery equipement
even a introduction 4x4 course,
Even get Mrs T to take a course with you, just incase something happens you, both should know how to
drive the ute properly,

[Cuppa]

I would suggest an off road course on the safe use of all recovery equipement
even a introduction 4x4 course,
Even get Mrs T to take a course with you, just incase something happens you, both should know how to
drive the ute properly,

It’s on the cards. Ballarat 4x4 Club do a course. They have their own training ground plus access to local forests.

[macca]

It’s on the cards. Ballarat 4x4 Club do a course. They have their own training ground plus access to local forests.

My 4x4 skills were gained from our local club guys. No formal training so I could have learned their bad habits though.
I've been lucky to be a hands on / DIY person, so job planning, logic and common sense come easy to me.
That can also be dangerous, so I stop and think about what we need to do.
Bottom line club training, campfire chat and trips add to the knowledge.
As far as I know we haven't had an accident in the 10 years of my membership.

[Clunk]

Quality control mate. Who knows what defects are in them??

happens with all companies mate, no matter who they are

[threedogs]

@ Macca it shows to as you just had a complex recovery situation just last week,,,,,,,2 thumbs up

Its the bad habit bit I dont like but if you see something that looks dodgey chances are it could turn pear shaped
either say something ,if they say it always works go hide behind your 4x4 just in case this time it doesnt.
Dont get many chances if things go wrong

[the evil twin]

Interesting comments about picking up bad habits from Clubs etc.

When Snatch Strap use is being "demonstrated" one of the fav subjects is a demo on "How to join two snatch straps correctly".

If I happen to be loitering around and the dude is a certified knob I like to ask questions such as...
"If you shouldn't use straps that are rated too high or too low what happens to the rating when two straps are joined?"
"If I join two straps do I have to drive twice as fast or twice as far to get the same force?"
"If I join two 8000 Kg straps won't it halve the effort so I can use them on a Suzuki or a Diahatsu?"
"What happens if one is a 10,000 and one is a 6,000?"
"I don't have two Snatch straps but I do have an 8,000 winch extension strap so can I join my Winch Extension to my 8,000 Snatch Strap?"

Almost inevitably becomes a Beer and Popcorn moment as I slink off from the crowd like the coward I am just as the fists start to fly over the ensuing arguments

... told you mob I was Evil.

[threedogs]

its amazing the amount of "experts" come out at the camp fire too.
I found some try and think too much about it like those straps I had
made. what type of ink was used, water based or petroleum, is the stitch pattern consistent
with the way a parachute is made WTF there is an AS to the way they are stitched and glued
same as a seat belt is stiched and glued, seems some out there know more than us.lo.
I have my broken ones re stitched to aircraft STD but only use them for snigging logs, they are way too short as "SNATCH straps

[BigRAWesty]

happens with all companies mate, no matter who they are
For sure. At Least they are getting on with fixing the issue. Even if it is not that important

[Clunk]

For sure. At Least they are getting on with fixing the issue. Even if it is not that important

exactly, as you well know, just because something is cheaper, it does not necessarily mean its inferior

[BigRAWesty]

exactly, as you well know, just because something is cheaper, it does not necessarily mean its inferior
Very true mate. Very true