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.


image-3015512212.jpg

[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-Hoset...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.