Snatch Strap and Tree Trunk Protector

[ntsqd]

That I can link to, no. What I've read is any sort of cut or fraying is grounds for replacement. Whether correct or not, I can't escape the feeling that this is a bit premature (though not by a lot) and they just want to sell me another one.

I need another & I had been thinking to get it from my local 4x4 shop as they have the nice type with the leather wrapped loops. However, I've been thinking that I should take the plunge on those I linked previously in this thread. I've handled them at the Expo & was quite impressed by them. At one time the local shop had those too. Need to see if they still do. Prefer to spend locally and all......

 

[iguana4x4]

I reasearched this subject last year while writing an article for a local magazine. In general terms this is what I found.

Straps should always be stored clean and dry, but should never be sun dryed, for UV rays deteriorate the webbing.

General rules for inspecting straps:
-Look for decolored areas or changes in texture of the material, these could indicate solvent damage. Also excesive decoloration indicates UV damage. If a strap gets soaked in gasoline, battery acid or any other strong solvent don't use it.

-Look for rips, cuts and small holes in the strap, any of these no matter how small they are, will create stress raisers where failures usually start.

-Look for changes in material thickness; the strap should have the same thickness from one end to the other. Changes in thickness could indicate permanent streching of the material, again a stress section.

-Never use a strap that has been joined or has a knot in it.

In my opinion you should discard a strap that shows any of the above sympthons.

Cleaning tip:
After hosing down your strap, put it in your clothes washer with a very minimal amount of soft clothes detergent (non chlorinated). After the washer is done with its cycle, put your strap in the clothes dryer in the low heat setting for about 30 minutes. You should then have a very clean strap.

I've cleaned my straps like this for a long time and have not experienced webbing failures in any of them.

But then again you don't take your washer/dryer with you to overland trips...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Wear & tear is hard to put a "quantity" too, I guess its up to the user to inspect their gear just as they do with tires, brake pads, etc.

However, regarding actual yield of the strap. Many of the "higher end" straps have a yield indicator at the label on the strap, they will display a band of red if they have been stretched beyond their designed value. I wish I knew which straps did it... ARB yes, Tereflex yes, others??

 

[TeriAnn]

Straps should always be stored clean and dry, but should never be sun dryed, for UV rays deteriorate the webbing.

Thats a problem if used in the rain and mud and you are on the trail for another month or so. The only chance of drying the strap is in the sun when it appears. Besides I use a clothes line at home.

Cleaning tip:
After hosing down your strap, put it in your clothes washer with a very minimal amount of soft clothes detergent (non chlorinated

That's another problem. My strap had steel triangular rings permanently attached to the ends. The woman of the house - ME - would never have allowed that strap in the washing machine!

Mine just got stiffer over time (about 15 years), a little fuzzy along the edge than just split all at once.

 

[Benthosboy]

Contradiction in terms?

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.

Does it seem ironic to anyone that in this thread people are talking about minimising potential damage to trees while at the same time using up their fossilized ancestors like there's no tomorrow

Martyn.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Does it seem ironic to anyone that in this thread people are talking about minimising potential damage to trees while at the same time using up their fossilized ancestors like there's no tomorrow

Martyn.

Due tell your solution? I beleive in minimizing my inpact whenever possible, and in the case of a tree as an anchor, it is easy enough to do so with no long-term impact at all. I didn't destroy the vegitation that later became oil

 

[highlandercj-7]

I got a nice tree saver from TSC. 4" wide 6' long 15k ratting, $15.90 can't beat it for the $$. If I need a longer one I got a 4" wide 20' long tow strap I can use for gigantor trees lol.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_43189_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1