Heavy duty ratchet straps for recovery?

[gregseto]

Do any of you have an opinion on using a heavy duty, trucker style ratchet strap for come-along recovery?

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/ratchetstrap2x30wwirehookskeepersnewproduct-p-3877.html

I'm thinking a couple of these could replace about 100lbs of 3/8" chain. The WLL isn't great at 3,333lbs, but not planning on dangling the vehicle. I'm thinking more along the lines of easy-stuck, one man recovery with a come-along.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

My opinion = bad idea. Not only is the rating sub-par for the loads encountered when freeing a mired rig, the hooks and ratcheting mechanism present their own dangers. Why spend the time and money to carry something that 'might' work in a pinch. It would be one thing if you were already packing it for other reasons, but to pack it with the intent to be your sole one-man come-along. No way. Not to mention it has very little needed leverage compared to that of an actual recovery intended come-along.

 

[gregseto]

I should probably clarify what I mean. I don't intend to use the ratchet strap as the come along, I have a proper come along for that.

I'd be using the ratchet straps to run out from the come along to, say, a tree, and to pick up the slack in the line. Once everything is taught, I'd use the come along to pull myself out.

This is opposed to using an 8' tree saver, shackle, and god knows how much 3/8" chain to the come along.

 

[FlatBlak]

I just purchased Tuff Stuff straps and blocks from Truck and Winch. They arrived yesterday and suprised me with the quality and thickness of the straps, stitching and protective sheathing on them. Definately a best buy.

http://www.truckandwinch.com/winch-accessories-mounts-winching-ropes-fairleads-blocks.html

 

[FlatBlak]

They even came with free bags.:victory:

 

[User_Name]

We use those ratchet straps for binding down the welders on the service truck at work.

The problem I see is the way the hook ends are made, you'd have a hard time making any safe connections, the V on the end isn't big enough to insert a shackle and even if it was it would spread open because of the way it is designed.

 

[Antichrist]

IMO, a bad idea. The hardware breaking load is only 10,000 lbs, and that's new. Once there's some wear that drops. The breaking load should be 5 times the WLL.
Could you get away with it without getting killed or seriously injured? Probably.
Would I risk it? Not unless my life literally depended on using one and there were no other options available.

 

[Albin]

For about $30 (http://www.uscargocontrol.com/recov...8.html?zenid=8843ea662cdaf8bb6fc4e2b35669488b), you're going to cheap out on one of the most important safety items a four wheeler can carry? Get real.

 

[tdesanto]

ratchet strap and come along for recovery?

I'm seeing a pattern here...

 

[gregseto]

For about $30 (http://www.uscargocontrol.com/recov...8.html?zenid=8843ea662cdaf8bb6fc4e2b35669488b), you're going to cheap out on one of the most important safety items a four wheeler can carry? Get real.

I'm sensing some hostility here. The reason I posted was to get suggestions on a possibly useful alternative to gear I already have. This isn't about "cheaping out" or "getting real." If you know of any piece of recovery equipment that is adjustable in length, but doesn't come out of a winch, I would appreciate the suggestion.

Based on the posts re: bending hooks and weight limitations, it looks like the chains will stay for the time being.

 

[crusader]

If you're after lightweight, why not just get a plasma rope extension and daisy-chain it on site to the length needed. If you're after light and cheap, this might not be the way to go. Certainly safe, though.

 

[alexrex20]

I'm sensing some hostility here. The reason I posted was to get suggestions on a possibly useful alternative to gear I already have. This isn't about "cheaping out" or "getting real." If you know of any piece of recovery equipment that is adjustable in length, but doesn't come out of a winch, I would appreciate the suggestion.

Based on the posts re: bending hooks and weight limitations, it looks like the chains will stay for the time being.

your come along will have the length adjustments. use a strap to take up the rest of the slack. you can get a 20ft 2in strap (20klbs) for $20.

 

[Stumpalump]

Throw anything you have into a recovery bag. If that strap is what you have then it beats nothing. Go for it because in a pinch that ratchet strap may be OK enough to save the day. You cannot use it to pull a vehicle because by the time it's tight enough to actually pull you will have too much strap on the spool.

 

[computeruser]

It could work in a pinch, but so could a lot of things. Plus, a come-along is a piss-poor recovery tool, in my experience.

 

[opie]

It could work in a pinch, but so could a lot of things. Plus, a come-along is a piss-poor recovery tool, in my experience.

Come a long saved me on DI. Granted I wasnt "stuck." Just high centered. But without it I would have been waiting...... and waiting.

They certainly dont have the functionality of a winch, but they do have their place.

Didnt help us at the mounds though, did it?!