Snatch Strap Recovery

[jeverich]

http://youtu.be/PcGTHw7dGeU

Think a rear winch is in my future..

Drove onto what was a frozen stream; totally gave way as soon as the front end got off of the bank. Good stuck.

Rigged a self recover from the rear, then a friend showed up. Decided to do the safer option and have him get me unstuck.

Tried winching; he started sliding.

Instead of rigging an anchor on him, decided to give my snatch strap a shot. 3/8" Amsteel bridle shackled to both rear recovery points, with a shackle to the snatch strap to act as a slider..

It worked.

Think a rear winch may be in the future. Or at least fabricate a Pull-Pal.

Enjoy.

 

[03rubicon]

Good work. They are a very valuable tool that I dont think a lot of people consider when it comes to recovery.

 

[jeverich]

Absolutely. Saved a lot of time and frustration..

 

[smiper]

Thanks for the interesting video! I'm new to this- couple questions.

I was surprised at the speed of the recovery truck. Is that how much is necessary to load the elasticity of a recovery strap?

What was your plan for self-recovery?

 

[jeverich]

Took about 3 pulls; all of them with increasing throttle on the pull truck's end.

From ARB:

"Making the recovery

The method for using a snatch strap is quite simple; however improper use can cause serious damage or injury.

The recovery vehicle should be placed within reach of the snatch strap and if possible directly in line with the direction of pull. If this is not possible due to insufficient length, two straps may be joined using the correct method. Never join snatch straps with a bow shackle, as this may become a lethal missile in the event of strap breakage.
The strap should be unrolled and connected to a secure recovery point on each vehicle ensuring that the strap is not twisted. Approximately 6-9 foot of slack strap should left be between the vehicles. Do not connect to a tow ball or tie down point.
Fix an ARB recovery damper blanket to the strap approximately mid way between the vehicles.
Clear all bystanders from the recovery area to at least the prescribed minimum safe distance.
With communications maintained between both vehicles, the recovery vehicle should gently accelerate to take up the slack and proceed on, allowing the kinetic energy of the strap to pull out the stranded vehicle. For best results the stranded vehicle can assist by trying to drive at the same time. If the vehicle is not recovered on the first attempt, a little more speed by the recovery vehicle may be needed.

NOTE: Excessive speed and continual jerking action whilst using a snatch strap may result in damage to the recovery point, chassis and drive line of both vehicles. Where proper use of the snatch strap is not successful, an appropriate sized recovery winch should be used.

Once free, the recovered vehicle should take care not to run over the snatch strap as damage to the strap may occur.
Only once both vehicles are stationary and secured should the snatch strap be removed.

Note: Be aware that the recovery strap will be under greater load if the vehicle is bogged in mud, sand or is heavily laden."




Self Recovery consisted of a Hi-Lift with the winching attachment; which would have worked.

 

[jeverich]

Funny; now I get to be on the other end of the strap..

Cruised down to the beach (in Southern RI) with a lady friend only to see brake lights flashing on the other side of the inlet. about 1/4 mile away; on the beach. Felt obligated to light him up with all of my candlepower - was imagining that there were probably 3 thoughts running through his head:

- I was an alien mothership

- I was an environmental police officer

- The rapture

Lady friend and I scoped him for about 10 minutes, and saw digging and spinning tires. Deliberated for a few minutes as to what the course of action should be - call the cops or attempt to recover him... He was most definitely not going anywhere, and the temperature with windchill was about 10 degrees, and we've got some crazy tides going on. Felt as though it was a safety issue. Decided I'd assess the situation and go from there. Got over to the other side of the jetty; parked the rig a ways away on solid ground and walked to him. Figured it would give me a chance to feel out the sand as well as the situation - packed along my trusty Mag-Lite just in case. Didn't know what I was going to be walking into, first thoughts were stolen vehicle or drunk. In which case I wouldn't have offered any help..

Holy sh--t was he in a good stuck.

Bone stock 4Runner, buried to the rear axle. For whatever reason he had decided to veer off of the hard sand, and towards the water. Totally unprepared, wearing a light jacket with no gloves or shovel. He'd been digging with his hands for a couple of hours. Not good. Felt him out, asked if he'd been drinking - definitely think the cold was starting to get to him. Pretty disoriented and probably freaked out. I'd have given him another hour before the tide got to him.

Decided to start with a snatch strap attempt, was weary of winching - didn't want to soften up the sand any more, or leave myself in a vulnerable downhill position.

Rigged a short Amsteel bridle, with the snatch strap eye passed through the bridle - in an effort to keep as much side to side movement in the strap as possible. Hooked up to his front tow hook; 4 LO - coordinated with 3rd tap on the brake pedal meant go - explained what to expect with a snatch strap recovery (rubber band).

Got him on the first try, (about 0045).

Turns out he manages a restaurant - going to go in and have a free dinner/drinks on him.

Tried not to pass too much judgement - I've done plenty of stupid things.

Just glad that I could get him out.

Funny, how I've had that strap for the last three years - and have used it twice within 4 days.

 

[Silver dude]

3/8" Amsteel bridle shackled to both rear recovery points, with a shackle to the snatch strap to act as a slider..

Maybe I'm missing something but why was the bridle used in addition to the snatch strap? Rather then being bumper anchored in the normal manner? Not criticizing just attempting to learn through others ideas. Was it because of the lack of a centered recovery point?

 

[nickburt]

Using a bridle spreads the load across both sides (legs) of the chassis, therefore reducing the load on a single recover point.
Possible the shackle to act as a slider wasn't needed - the bridle could have been passed through the eye of the strap, therefore reducing the number of connections and, therefore, points of potential failure. But if the eye of the strap isn't big enough for the bridle to pass through, a shackle will be needed.

Good to see a kenetic recovery being done sensibly - all too often see them being done at a reduculous speed - try gently, if that doesn't work, try a bit harder, and so on, gradually building up to the speed and effort that is just enough to work. 2 or 3 attampts is about normal, you know you're not over doing it. All that kinetic energy built up on the rope or strap can do a lot of damage.

 

[Rumpig]

Maybe I'm missing something but why was the bridle used in addition to the snatch strap? Rather then being bumper anchored in the normal manner? Not criticizing just attempting to learn through others ideas. Was it because of the lack of a centered recovery point?

this video i helped a mate make shows the bridal being used as nickburt mentions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISdDPliZSA it just helps distribute the load to both sides of the chassis, instead of loading up one side of the vehicle.
the video was made for a Toyota sponsored fishing event at Fraser Island, so unfortunately the Patrol my mate owned wasn't allowed to be shown in the video. the thing you don't see sadly is my mate actually stalls his vehicle as he does the recovery, it really does prove speed has nothing to do with how a snatch strap is supposed to work. there was no extra work done to recover that vehicle other then what you see, it was sitting crossed up in the sand on it's belly, some simple shovel work and a very light tug with a snatch strap extracted the vehicle easily from how it was.
Jeverich answered something really well earlier IMHO also when he answered "Took about 3 pulls; all of them with increasing throttle on the pull truck's end. "...i work on the idea of you start out really slow like in the video, if you don't get it the first time you increase your speed a touch and then a touch more again if still unsuccessful, but it's never meant to be all guns blazing type stuff. after 3 attempts and the vehicle going nowhere, it's time to rethink what your doing and change your approach to the recovery.

 

[jeverich]

Using a bridle spreads the load across both sides (legs) of the chassis, therefore reducing the load on a single recover point.
Possible the shackle to act as a slider wasn't needed - the bridle could have been passed through the eye of the strap, therefore reducing the number of connections and, therefore, points of potential failure. But if the eye of the strap isn't big enough for the bridle to pass through, a shackle will be needed.

Good to see a kenetic recovery being done sensibly - all too often see them being done at a reduculous speed - try gently, if that doesn't work, try a bit harder, and so on, gradually building up to the speed and effort that is just enough to work. 2 or 3 attampts is about normal, you know you're not over doing it. All that kinetic energy built up on the rope or strap can do a lot of damage.

Exactly.

Yes, didn't use a shackle - just passed the bridle through the eye. Reducing connections..

I'll snap a picture of my setup this afternoon!

 

[JHa6av8r]

This has been a really good discussion. Reinforced what I've read about and the video of the recovery was a great example of how to use the strap sensibly.

 

[jeverich]

Thanks for the positive comments..

Just a piece of 3/8" Amsteel Blue (spliced myself - anyone interested?).. and an ARB 24k Lb. Snatch Strap, 3/4" shackles to recovery points.

I've also got a 100 Foot piece of 5/8" Samson Double Braid (same stuff that the "kinetic" recovery ropes are made of), as well as a 100 Foot Amsteel extension..

Funny, I've owned the strap for three years - and it's seen the most usage in the last week!

I think that they're a pretty underrated piece of gear, and it was definitely the best tool to use (in my opinion) for getting him unstuck. Winching in the soft sand like that could have only led to me sinking further, and potentially getting stuck - plus, we were working against the tide and dropping temperatures. Sure, I would have gotten the winch out if the snatch strap failed to work..

Just made sure that he knew what was going to happen, how it was going to feel (rubber band). Funny, he said he could feel the stretch and rebound..

How do you all approach recoveries of strangers? Initially, I was going to ask for $100; and think that I would have if I had to break out the winch. Sure, maybe it's being opportunistic; although - I feel like there should at least be a little compensation for the risk involved.

I was very appreciative that he offered to buy dinner/drinks for my lady friend and I - will be taking advantage of that tonight.

Wondering if I'll be using this on my drive back to Washington?

 

[Wainiha]

I'd love a true recovery strap. Looking at Wheelers in Oregon. I've always used regular line. Good, but no elasticity. Now I have some Spectra from my dad's boat.

 

[Wainiha]

Thanks for the positive comments..

Funny, I've owned the strap for three years - and it's seen the most usage in the last week!

I think that they're a pretty underrated piece of gear, and it was definitely the best tool to use (in my opinion) for getting him unstuck. Winching in the soft sand like that could have only led to me sinking further, and potentially getting stuck - plus, we were working against the tide and dropping temperatures. Sure, I would have gotten the winch out if the snatch strap failed to work..

Just made sure that he knew what was going to happen, how it was going to feel (rubber band). Funny, he said he could feel the stretch and rebound..

How do you all approach recoveries of strangers? Initially, I was going to ask for $100; and think that I would have if I had to break out the winch. Sure, maybe it's being opportunistic; although - I feel like there should at least be a little compensation for the risk involved.

I was very appreciative that he offered to buy dinner/drinks for my lady friend and I - will be taking advantage of that tonight.

Wondering if I'll be using this on my drive back to Washington?

Did you splice that yourself? My dad has been a sailor for 50+ years. He can do some nice work. Something I need to learn.

 

[nickburt]

this video i helped a mate make shows the bridal being used as nickburt mentions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISdDPliZSA it just helps distribute the load to both sides of the chassis, instead of loading up one side of the vehicle.
the video was made for a Toyota sponsored fishing event at Fraser Island, so unfortunately the Patrol my mate owned wasn't allowed to be shown in the video. the thing you don't see sadly is my mate actually stalls his vehicle as he does the recovery, it really does prove speed has nothing to do with how a snatch strap is supposed to work. there was no extra work done to recover that vehicle other then what you see, it was sitting crossed up in the sand on it's belly, some simple shovel work and a very light tug with a snatch strap extracted the vehicle easily from how it was.
Jeverich answered something really well earlier IMHO also when he answered "Took about 3 pulls; all of them with increasing throttle on the pull truck's end. "...i work on the idea of you start out really slow like in the video, if you don't get it the first time you increase your speed a touch and then a touch more again if still unsuccessful, but it's never meant to be all guns blazing type stuff. after 3 attempts and the vehicle going nowhere, it's time to rethink what your doing and change your approach to the recovery.

Good to see the shackle pin backed off a touch to stop it getting locked up.

On the flip side, I've seen the potential damage a kinetic rope or strap can do if not used correctly. An 8m kinetic rope eye was simply dropped over a 50mm ball hitch. The recovering vehicle then took off from a standing start with about half the rope slack. The stuck vehicle didn't move, despite the driver of the recovering truck keeping his foot firmly planted. What happened next was a miracle. The 50mm ball snapped off and passed straight through the recovering vehicle, missing the driver's head by inches. The only damage was a snapped tow hitch and the rear and front windsheilds ............