All of the recovery gear packages available on the market are a ripoff! The basic kit, no matter where you shop, has the same stuff:
tree strap, chain and/or recovery strap, 2 clevises, a snatch block, gloves and a tool bag.
These cost anywhere from $150 to more than $300 for some with major brand name logos.
This is a ripoff because I've got my own gloves, clevises, and toolbag, those are just low cost trash that allow the retailer to charge inflated prices for the overall package. Those pieces are the "loss leaders" of the kit.
But when I shop around for better deals on the individual components I need, I find that any retailer associated with 4wheeling at all is overly expensive. (Just like a retailer can charge more for floor mats, oil, or accessories that say "SUV" on the packaging)
* Is there a supplier of recovery equipment that is affordable, maybe a professional vendor/wholesaler as opposed to a big-markup 4X4 retailer?
* Does anybody have any good connections for affordable recovery equipment...I've checked all the usual suspects, and searched on it...4WheelPartWhores, OKOffroad, Warn, Recoverygear.com, etc...My next stop is a ranch/farm store.

 

What the heck are you looking for specifically?

I bought a WARN recovery kit because it came w/ a purty camoflauge bag. I got it from my local 4x4 enthusiast shop...support the local guy and economy and it was no more/less than what I would have paid for online.

 

i got my stuff (strap, tree saver and snatch block only) from 4x4 connection http://www.4by4connection.com/recstraptres.html

but that was like 6 years ago now. sence then they have also added packages of most stuff. but you can buy the straps and stuff seperate also.

I was in your boat, looking for quality gear that wasnt an arm and a leg. At the time it was about the best ive found yet.

 

Depending on exactly what you're looking for, you can get the exact same tow and recovery straps from most auto parts stores for a chunk less. More specialized things like hi-lift accessories, etc, you're a bit stuck.

 

Tractor Supply has it ALL. They carry both load rated and non-load-rated - make sure you get the ones stamped with a WLL. Shackle/clevis are like $12 IIRC.

 

Thanks everybody! Tractor Supply sounds like a good bet, and I'm gonna check out 4X4 connection too, thanks SnapOn.
As for the parts stores, Scottiac, I was amazed how much money they charge for good tow straps, if they even had ones with loops instead of hooks. None of the retail stores had anything specialized like snatch blocks (they could order them from Keystone or whatever and mark it up!)
And you're right Wabbit, the Warn setup is purdyy, but I don't need half the crap in there, much less at the price they're asking. I don't need the gloves, because I've got my own (and I've got synthetic winch line) and I've got clevises too. So I really just need the tree saver strap, a recovery strap, and a good snatch block.
Thanks for the input, yota folk

 

Don't know if you have it in the US, but Acklands Granger, and UFA both have great stuff for pretty cheap.

 

Does anyone sell a less expensive snatch block than the Warn? Other than the non-load-rated, that's all Tractor Supply sells.