Snow: Tow or snatch?

I'm looking to get a tow or snatch strap for light snow recovery. I don't do any snow off roading so it will primarily be used for stuff like pulling cars out of ditches and whatnot. I've read that a snatch strap is best for this kind of application but I really don't like the idea of it snapping and whipping people/cars. Could you guys help me on this?

Why can't I find any straps with hooks on them?

 

Okay, well, you don't EVER want a strap with built in hooks. If it breaks that hook will go flying and you'll be in a pine box before you know it. However, from what I understand the "snatch" action of a snatch strap is very light, and shouldn't damage any vehicle being recovered from a proper recovery point. Your best bet is a decent snatch strap like the ones wheelers sells, with two of the shackles they have and you should be set. In fact, I am getting this exact set for Christmas, and it should serve me well even through some heavier offroading abuse

 

a snatch strap can be used to tow, a tow strap should not be used for recovery. The difference is one is built with elasticity and is designed to stretch and transfer some of that energy back to the vehicle being recovered, thus helping it out better. the strap does not snap and whip people's cars. It will provide a smoother recovery than jerking on it with a regular tow strap that does not have any give to it.

If you go to any basic hardware store you can get a general tow strap, probably rated for 10000 lbs with metal hooks, but you dont want that. for the safest recovery you want to use a snatch strap (mine is rated for 30000 lbs) and has loops. The metal hooks can come loose and smash windows or body panels or hurt people. The safest way is with loops and metal d rings to attach to the vehicles. Hope this helps.

 

It sounds like a 30' 20,000 lb snatch strap and two D rings should fit the bill. Am I right?

 

Yes. NEVER use a strap with built in hooks.

and you can "tow" with a snatch strap no problem. You are not required to to do a full speed yank on someone just because it is designed to handle that.

 

This part is very important and often overlooked. Many, many recoveries can be performed by simply taking up all the slack slowly, THEN attempting to tug. If that isn't working, apply extra tugging force in gradual doses.


Another few pointers:
- Be aware of laws concerning vehicle recovery. A good bit of discussion on another forum was discussed here
- Many vehicles have no recovery points, especially cars. I, for one, hate Jeep Cherokees. These vehicles require what is known as a "J Hook". I simply refuse to help them any more because it has a high rate of ending in disaster.
- Your state may make it illegal for anyone but a tow truck to perform a recovery. I'm involved in SAR and we are not allowed to perform vehicle recoveries on anyone who is not in the unit.