Best gear to pull cars out of snow banks?

If you have to use a strap for recovering a vehicle the safest way is using a
https://vikingoffroad.com/tow-rope/
or
http://www.masterpull.com/7-8-super-yanker-kinetic-recovery-rope-28-500-lbs/

Used these 20 - 50 times and many many times in Iraq. They are amazing. But you have to make sure the attachment point is strong enough! Torn bumpers off too....

fl1by said:

http://www.masterpull.com/7-8-super-yanker-kinetic-recovery-rope-28-500-lbs/

Used these 20 - 50 times and many many times in Iraq. They are amazing. But you have to make sure the attachment point is strong enough! Torn bumpers off too....

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with a title like this, I’m more than a little hesitant to click on that link now that FRF is in the @Oldfart era. Anyone willing to chance it and see if that link is safe?

There is a YouTube channel called something like Matt’s offroad recovery or something similar. He drives a yellow Jeep Cherokee. He does all kinds of different/interesting/non-typical recoveries. It is worth a look if you ever get bored. Might give some ideas for the future, not just snow recoveries.

Agree with a lot that's already been posted.

I'd use a kinetic rope or strap. A rope will hold up much longer than a kinetic/recovery strap.

Soft shackles and have them print and sign their name to a waiver for any incurred damages and/or injuries and verify their name on their license. You could even take a quick snapshot of their license.

If they give you any grief, tell them best of luck.
You're just trying to protect yourself and in these days where people sue over anything you want to cover your bases.

Yes it's a little hassle but it could end up being a much greater hassle if things should go wrong.

Let them connect their vehicle with your oversight.

You could use short straps and go around a section of their frame.

Always make sure there isn't anyone in the line of fire.

Research various methods of hooking up various vehicles on YouTube.

Having some safety triangles would come in handy.

Each recovery is different as there are many variables, sometimes a regular tow strap may work just fine.

sixshooter_45 said:

Each recovery is different as there are many variables, sometimes a regular tow strap may work just fine.

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Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. While it may "work just fine", it's definitely not ever recommended to use a tow strap to do a recovery. Read just about any website that compares tow and recovery straps, and you'll see the same. You can, in fact, tow with a recovery strap, but you should NEVER recover with a tow strap. Again, I'm not saying a tow strap won't work, but it's not recommended, and can cause damage (least of all to the strap, but possibly to either vehicle, or the people involved)...just use a recovery strap if you have one. If you don't have one, get one!

Ski4Ever said:

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. While it may "work just fine", it's definitely not ever recommended to use a tow strap to do a recovery. Read just about any website that compares tow and recovery straps, and you'll see the same. You can, in fact, tow with a recovery strap, but you should NEVER recover with a tow strap. Again, I'm not saying a tow strap won't work, but it's not recommended, and can cause damage (least of all to the strap, but possibly to either vehicle, or the people involved)...just use a recovery strap if you have one. If you don't have one, get one!

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I couldn't agree with you more, I was relating to what I'd stated that every recovery is different as there are many variables.

I would only use a tow strap if the recovery was extremely simple, barely off the road and a tow strap was all I had at the time.

It would also entail getting the tow strap tight first and slow pulling only.

I should have clearly stated what I was trying to say.

If you don't agree, and many may not but we'll just agree to disagree.

I realize most state not to use a tow rope for recovery and I agree except for what I've already stated. Just my H.O.

I only have a recovery rope myself but wouldn't have an issue using a tow strap if that's all I had and it was a simple pull.

I appreciate you pointing that out so that people understand that a tow rope is just that, for towing.

I would highly suggest using a yankem rope with monkey fist knuckles. Reason being if anything breaks, little to no damage with the whipping action and doesnt feel as cold as handling chains during the winter or in the snow. Yankem ropes will allow you to build momentum without damage either. Doesnt hurt to carry sand or kitty litter as well.

Like others have said, recovery strap, not tow straps. I do carry a 1/2" chain for short yanks (<15 ft) but I double up and put a towel or jacket around the center part.

If helping other people out, especially in cars, minivans, etc., let them hook up their end. I carry different size shackles and let them do it. It's really easy to rip off a bumper or wheel or crack something, and no good deed goes unpunished. Anyone with a toe eye that screws in, don't use it. If you absolutely have to, slow, constant pull, no yanks. Also, don't hook up to a trailer ball. Get yourself a hook or pull out the receiver and put your strap loop through the pin on the hitch itself.

One thing I learned, anybody who says anything else besides, Thank you so much for stopping, Can you help me out?, etc., leave them. I always say, you hook up your end because I'm just trying to help you and not going to be responsible for any damages. If there's any issue, don't hook up and leave them. Might sound harsh but yeah. A few of my friends ended up with those people reporting damage because they called the popo and gave a license plate number and witnessed the damage.

As long as you're dealing with Texans, you won't have a problem

smurfslayer said:

with a title like this, I’m more than a little hesitant to click on that link now that FRF is in the @Oldfart era. Anyone willing to chance it and see if that link is safe?

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I think that was one of my old user names when I was younger, "Master Pull Super Yanker". That piece is $155.

Oldfart said:

I think that was one of my old user names when I was younger, "Master Pull Super Yanker". That piece is $155.

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