Recovery Bridles (Equalising Straps) and understanding Sling Loads

[the evil twin]

At the request of others...

Recovery Bridle - A recovery bridle is a rope, cable or webbing strap attached to both sides of the vehicle being towed or winched. It allows for relative movement on the winch wire, tow rope or snatch strap to deflect from side to side allowing the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed independence of movement

Equalising Strap (ES) versus Tree Trunk Protector (TTP) - An ES is specifically made for use as a bridle and is usually two layers of webbing sewn together with a wear protection sleeve for the area where the Snatch Strap is attached. A TTP is usually one length of webbing and often does not have the wear protection necessary for prolonged towing. TTP's can be used as bridles but some protection should be considered at the Snatch Strap attachement area.

My Recovery Bridle (or Equalising Strap if you prefer) is a short length of 25MM Dyneema Rope I have eye spliced myself with a breaking strain just short of a space shuttle launch

Here is one of the best I have ever seen and puts my home made jobbie to shame. Note the blue 'anti recoil' straps in case of a rigging component failure