Snatch-strap Question
- Thread starter Scott B.
- Start date
My thinking is that if they are stored in the truck or under cover they'd be fine. I think the sun would be the worst enemy. My older straps seem just fine, and they're stored either in a truck, or for spares in the garage until trip time. Heat, like the heat encountered in a closed truck or tool box in direct sun during the summer, doesn't seem to affect them.
JPK
JPK
AFSOC
Explorer
Let me caveat by saying I am not an expert in recovery gear maintenance and inspection but I have spent a couple of decades using, inspecting and maintaining various aircraft slings. With my own recovery gear I use the same principals and standards as well as some measure of common sense.
As stated by JPK, straps are degraded by UV and should be stored away from direct rays. Synthetic fiber materials should always be kept clean and dry. It sounds like you keep yours free from the grit/sand/abrasive which can get between the individual fibers and cut/weaken them and that will greatly extend service life. Care should also be taken to keep straps and ropes away from caustic chemical exposure, either direct contact or airborne. Acids are the worst but any petrochemical to include gasoline or gas vapors can deteriorate the strap. Visually inspect the strap for signs of broken, cut or abraded fibers. You should also inspect the stitching for breaks or unraveling. If you detect or even suspect any degradation of the strap just replace it. The replacement cost isn't really that expensive when contrasted with the possible damage or injury that can result from failure. These things can store a huge amount of energy and when they fail the driver's seat is well within the reach of destruction.
As stated by JPK, straps are degraded by UV and should be stored away from direct rays. Synthetic fiber materials should always be kept clean and dry. It sounds like you keep yours free from the grit/sand/abrasive which can get between the individual fibers and cut/weaken them and that will greatly extend service life. Care should also be taken to keep straps and ropes away from caustic chemical exposure, either direct contact or airborne. Acids are the worst but any petrochemical to include gasoline or gas vapors can deteriorate the strap. Visually inspect the strap for signs of broken, cut or abraded fibers. You should also inspect the stitching for breaks or unraveling. If you detect or even suspect any degradation of the strap just replace it. The replacement cost isn't really that expensive when contrasted with the possible damage or injury that can result from failure. These things can store a huge amount of energy and when they fail the driver's seat is well within the reach of destruction.
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Age makes no difference if they are stored properly, as directed above.
They will, however, age with use. Every time you stretch the nylon, it doesn't return back to its original length. It will retain some stretch memory. How many times you can use it and still retain as much efficiency as possible will be determined by how hard its been used. Given the relatively inexpensive cost of a strap, I would replace them every 5 years if its seen use a few times per year.
They will, however, age with use. Every time you stretch the nylon, it doesn't return back to its original length. It will retain some stretch memory. How many times you can use it and still retain as much efficiency as possible will be determined by how hard its been used. Given the relatively inexpensive cost of a strap, I would replace them every 5 years if its seen use a few times per year.
SulVento
Wanderer
^^^^^^^ plug for this guy. Does good work. I have used a couple of rope shackles I got from him last year MANY more times than I thought I would..and they work great.
Great stuff. :beer:
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
I would agree, sound advice. Given there isn't a hard and fast way to test or inspect for age based wear I think a 5 year rule would be appropriate. I would be interested to see if some of the industrial suppliers of rigging gear have protocol of gear test/inspection or replacement.
Short answer, Yes.
I do not know with what frequency, I believe its at least once per calender year. Slings and such are checked for elongation and are load tested to a certain percentage over the WLL. Goes for chain, wire and straps. I am not sure if any standard exists for synthetic but Im sure there is.
Glad to hear they are working out for you!!