When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Thinking of buying a recovery strap in case of the inevitable while traveling or while 4-by'ing. I've decided that I'll go with BubbaRope because it seems well-made and, well, it's made in the USA. Today I went to the CHP highway scale to get my '94 4x4 Hilux Xtra cab weighed, so I'd know which recovery strap is most appropriate.
First I called the truck scale, which is just up the highway from me. I didn't want to be the idiot in the pickup who rolls up onto the scale as if I'm driving a tractor-trailer. CHP at the scale directed me to park first and come into the office. Then they gave me further direction and weighed my pickup for me.
Total weight is 4560 lbs as you can see. That's with the Doberman in the back, me behind the wheel and my son in the passenger seat. Subtract all of us from the situation and the truck weighs closer to 4160 lbs.
Bubba rope is great but I feel there are some more reasonably priced options out there.
Spartan Rope was recommended to me by several friends that have and use their products https://www.spartanrope.com/collections/all
they are local to me and even hand delivered the rope. Extremely well made. Considered a 2nd one to throw in my Dodge. For a few bucks cheaper than the bubba rope you get a bag and a soft shackle I'd you go that route
get a strap rated 30k lbs or more. you'll be fine.
My research indicates a 30k recovery strap would be overkill given the weight of my truck. To make proper use of the rope's elasticity I don't want a rope that's made for use with a monster truck. Sure, it won't snap on me, and it'll surely work, but a 30k rope also won't be very elastic because my truck doesn't weigh 8,000 lbs. And if it's less elastic that means more stress on my truck's frame/pull points. At least that's my understanding.
My research indicates a 30k recovery strap would be overkill given the weight of my truck. To make proper use of the rope's elasticity I don't want a rope that's made for use with a monster truck. Sure, it won't snap on me, and it'll surely work, but a 30k rope also won't be very elastic because my truck doesn't weigh 8,000 lbs. And if it's less elastic that means more stress on my truck's frame/pull points. At least that's my understanding.
My research indicates a 30k recovery strap would be overkill given the weight of my truck. To make proper use of the rope's elasticity I don't want a rope that's made for use with a monster truck. Sure, it won't snap on me, and it'll surely work, but a 30k rope also won't be very elastic because my truck doesn't weigh 8,000 lbs. And if it's less elastic that means more stress on my truck's frame/pull points. At least that's my understanding.
there are always two vehicles in the equation; the stuck one, and the one unstucking it. can you reliably predict the size of both?
there are always two vehicles in the equation; the stuck one, and the one unstucking it. can you reliably predict the size of both?
No I cannot. But the rope needs to be the correct rope only for the truck that's stuck. I'm not buying a recovery strap for someone else's vehicle. I'm buying it for mine. The only truck the rope needs to be appropriate for is the one that's stuck. Correct?
Bubba rope is great but I feel there are some more reasonably priced options out there.
Spartan Rope was recommended to me by several friends that have and use their products
Thanks for the recommendation but for my truck's weight the appropriate BubbaRope is actually less expensive than the Spartan Rope. And I noticed Spartan only offers one size/length/diameter of rope.
No worries. You understand that there is more than just the weight of the vehicle when it comes to recovery right? You also need to consider what you are stuck in, some types of mud can add considerable sucking power to recovery efforts. Been doing recovery for 35 years of 4wheeling and recovery of Humvees, 5 ton 6x6 for several years in the military.
one reason Warn and several winch manufacturers recommend when considering a winch (I know you are just looking at straps/rope) that you get a winch with a capacity of 1.5x's your vehicles weight. My 4runner probably weights about 5k, I run a 10k winch.
the working load limit of a strap/rope is generally 1/3 its rated breaking strength.
You understand that there is more than just the weight of the vehicle when it comes to recovery right?
Yes sir, I do. And I appreciate the tips.
Originally Posted by dropzone
one reason Warn and several winch manufacturers recommend when considering a winch (I know you are just looking at straps/rope) that you get a winch with a capacity of 1.5x's your vehicles weight. My 4runner probably weights about 5k, I run a 10k winch.
I wish I could afford a winch. But it's not in the budget. I'm pretty much dependent on someone else yanking me out of the bog. Even then, I know there's quite a risk involved. The other dude needs to know what he's doing. And frankly, I don't think most dudes know.
Originally Posted by dropzone
the working load limit of a strap/rope is generally 1/3 its rated breaking strength.
Here are some calculated dynamic force numbers based on the following assumptions:
- 20 foot long strap
- Strap stretches 30% at its rated load
- Strap is elastic (all energy goes into the stretch and is completely recovered when the strap contracts again. This isn't entirely true; some energy is lost as heat, which will lower the max force.)
- towing vehicle weighs 4500 lbs
- towing vehicle is moving at 10 ft/sec (6.7 mph) when it hits the end of the slack in the tow strap.
With a 30,000 lb strap, the peak dynamic force is 8300 lbs.
With a 60,000 lb strap, the peak dynamic force is 11,800 lbs. The force goes up because the 60,000 strap is stiffer and doesn't stretch as easily.
Force is proportional to speed. If speed doubles, force doubles.
Force goes up as the square root of the strap rating (Double the strap rating, force increases by a factor of 1.414).
Force goes up as the square root of the towing vehicle weight.
Force goes down as the square root of the strap length (Double the strap length, force decreases by a factor of 1.414)
Note that the total force is the sum of the dynamic force plus the static pull of the towing vehicle. For a 4500 lb vehicle with good traction, the static pull force might run around 3000-4000 lbs. A lot less in mud. That static force gets added to the dynamic numbers calculated above.
So, if you use a 60,000 lb strap and some guy with a 6500 lb F250 hooks on and decides to accelerate to 10 mph, you could have forces in excess of 25,000 lbs applied to your truck. Something may well break. Dynamic recoveries need to be done carefully and with good judgment and low testosterone.
06-30-2018, 10:30 AM
