Snatch Strap and Tree Trunk Protector

p1michaud

Expedition Leader
I've been going through my recovery equipment and realized that I need to replace two of my existing items before the snow starts to fly because winter wheeling is fun but you need to be prepared.

Background information:
1999 Toyota Tacoma, fully loaded pushing 5500 lbs
Warn M8000 winch

For snatching I will rarely if ever have a situation where I need to snatch more than 3 times the vehicle weight. So 3 x 5500 lbs = 16 500 lbs I know, I know, now that I wrote this, it will happen! :oops:

For a winch anchor I will typically be fine with a double line pull. Thus assuming the perfect pulley (conservative) this scenario means 2 x 8000 lbs = 16 000 lbs.

I am researching for two important pieces of recovery gear:

  1. The Snatch Strap
    • Mininum requirements for my application:
    • 16 500 lbs
    • 30' long
    • reinforced eyes

  2. The Tree Trunk Protector
    • Mininum requirements for my application:
    • 16 000 lbs
    • 10' long
    • reinforced eyes

I've narrowed my choices to two major suppliers ARB and Black Rat based on my research so far. I do have one question for the ARB retailers on this board. Australian 4WD Monthly had done a Snatch Strap Comparison article called "Breaking Point". In this test, the Black Rat equipment was highly recommended and the ARB products were Not Recommended. I am also aware that ARB has changed their recovery straps since this test. So my question is, have they improved them to the point where they would make the "recommended" cut?

Have I missed any other great supplies that you folks would recommend?

Cheers,
P
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
The "SuperStrap" from Red Art? (I hate Flash pages....) I've played around with one of these at the Off Road Expo. Should just get one & quit stalling....
 

p1michaud

Expedition Leader
All about straps

ntsqd said:
The "SuperStrap" from Red Art? (I hate Flash pages....) I've played around with one of these at the Off Road Expo. Should just get one & quit stalling....

Cool strap. This is more of a winch extension type strap no?

Some one on here must sell ARB products and know...:coffee:

Cheers :beer:,
P
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
I've been using one similar to the 3" x 30' from Poly for years. It's been thru hell and shows it. It's been used as a tree saver, a snatch strap, and for long distance towing - one instance of over 30 miles of dirt followed by 40 on pavement. (from the Oro Belle Mine on the LP/CK trail to Humboldt, AZ.) As a snatch strap I've hit it very, very hard on numerous occasions. It has enough stretch to rubber band rigs out of snow or mud.

http://polyperformance.com/atvshop/product.php?productid=17343&cat=885&page=1

Mark
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
p1michaud said:
Cool strap. This is more of a winch extension type strap no?

Some one on here must sell ARB products and know...:coffee:

Cheers :beer:,
P
Nope, it's a tug-em strap. No hardware required.
 

cruiseroutfit

Well-known member
The new line of ARB recovery straps are completely different then their previous offerings... totally different material (old was 100% nylon, new are 100% polyester), protection covers on both ends, etc. I've been really happy with the new stuff thusfar.

That being said, I've never had an issue with any of their older products, I use them myself, and have sold hundereds of straps, never a complaint? Its likely the majority of them are never used to their operating rating, but I know I have. I've seen that test website over the years, its hard to say how reliable and repeatable their results are... I would love to see them test again with the new ARB gear.

I've got all of the old stuff (NOS) as well as the complete line of the new stuff in stock... I'd be more than happy to snap some pics if you would like.
 

p1michaud

Expedition Leader
Straps...

cruiseroutfit said:
The new line of ARB recovery straps are completely different then their previous offerings... totally different material (old was 100% nylon, new are 100% polyester), protection covers on both ends, etc. I've been really happy with the new stuff thusfar.

That's what I thought, thanks for the input. I won't bother you for the pictures, the ARB USA website has some good ones unless there is something specific you would like to point out.

Cheers :beer:,
P
 

FlyingWen

Explorer
Pierre,

Have you looked into the Viking products?
Viking Kinetic Yanker Lines (Snatch Strap) have two different straps both 30' long. One has a 19,000 breaking strength and the other is 28,300.

Also, the
The 10' Tree Saver has a breaking strength of 19,600lbs.

On our site, the Viking products have become more popular then ARB and Black Rat. (Granted Black Rat has been out of stock for months).
 

p1michaud

Expedition Leader
Viking products

Wen,
Thanks for posting. Yes I have been considering the Viking products. I was specifically looking the their Kinetic Yanker Lines (Snatch Strap). For some reason I can't find it on your site.

As for their tree saver, this is probably totally foolish, but something in me does not trust the synthetic line tree saver to the same extent as a strap. It would make me more confortable to have a larger stap type tree saver. Probably goes back to bigger is better mentality, but then again I've never held one of the Viking tree savers in my hand. That may change my mind.

Cheers :beer:,
P

FlyingWen said:
Pierre,

Have you looked into the Viking products?
Viking Kinetic Yanker Lines (Snatch Strap) have two different straps both 30' long. One has a 19,000 breaking strength and the other is 28,300.

Also, the
The 10' Tree Saver has a breaking strength of 19,600lbs.

On our site, the Viking products have become more popular then ARB and Black Rat. (Granted Black Rat has been out of stock for months).
 

cruiseroutfit

Well-known member
The thing to remember about a Tree Saver, is just that the tree you are attempting to "save". Choose one that is long enough to have a connection point several feet or more from the anchor tree. Choose one that is less likely to do any visible damage to said tree. And lastly, choose on that does not stretch! :D
 

p1michaud

Expedition Leader
Great info.

cruiseroutfit said:
The thing to remember about a Tree Saver, is just that the tree you are attempting to "save". Choose one that is long enough to have a connection point several feet or more from the anchor tree. Choose one that is less likely to do any visible damage to said tree. And lastly, choose on that does not stretch! :D

Much appreciated!
Cheers,
P
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
I was just thinking that bigger is better in the case of tree savers, though not in the way of Kurt's excellent point. A wider strap reduces the psi applied to the tree. Not the total load, just the pressure at strap contact.
 

p1michaud

Expedition Leader
Is that your final answer?

p1michaud said:
I've narrowed my choices to two major suppliers ARB and Black Rat based on my research so far.

Well, I've decided to pick up the ARB made products. I'm confident that they will not let me down.

Funny side storry, I went to see a friend last night who is involved in moving heavy equipment on occasion with his job (rigging) and he handed me a huge strap (4-6" wide and doubled over, approx 12' long rating over 20 000 lbs). He said, I heard you were looking for a new tree strap, here you go! Isn't always the case, I just ordered one but gladely accepted his as well!

Cheers :beer:,
P
 

TeriAnn

Explorer
crawler#976 said:
I've been using one similar to the 3" x 30' from Poly for years.

Then comes the question of when to replace the strap? I used a 4 inch strap sold for tying down loads on commercial trailers used on highways (had to pass highway specs). Somehow I never used the strap in a clean environment. Usually it was in mud of some kind. After about 15 years or so it rotted to the point where it ripped apart on a low stress pull. They get stowed wet and muddy and when you hose them down after getting home they never really get completely clean.

Anyone seen any factory recommendations for a strap lifetime?

Just wondering
 

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