Seeking opinions on the importance of recovery bridles (equalizer straps)

Hi TW recovery crew, I’m working on assembling recovery gear for my truck. I want to set myself up for safe, and efficient vehicle recovery success. One of the items I was considering investing in was a recovery bridle (aka) equalizer strap.

However, as I spend time reading online, it’s the recovery bridle that seems to garner a lot of mixed feelings. It seems some question the need for it, while others swear by it. I find the conflicting opinions to pose a bit of a dilemma: Is this a critical piece of gear, or not?

In principle, it seems like it would be a valuable piece of recovery equipment. It helps to balance recovery forces on equipment and center the pulling effort of straps, winches, etc. I don’t understand why this would not be a good thing?

I’m curious what the Recovery forum hot take is on the subject.

 

sub'd for a bump

 

Appreciate that. Hoping some recovery veterans see this and respond.

 

I do not have a dedicated recovery bridle but have used a tree saver for the same purpose.

 

Is a recovery bridle effective at equalizing loads? Yeah. Is it necessary? I'd say the vast majority of the time, no. It is just more links in the recovery chain to potentially fail. More things to carry around, more things to set up, more things to maintain. I don't use one for those reasons.

 

I just use a long tree saver strap. Why buy something specialized when you can have dual purpose.

 

Agreed. I believe the dual use approach makes the most sense.

 

same.

OP, have you invested time in FM 20-22?

I always tell people to download it, print the relevant pages, then laminate them and keep in the truck to refer back to.

Good gear is good, but knowledge is great

 

I’m unfamiliar with the abbreviation. Are you referring to the US Army field manual that people on here mention from time to time? If you have a link, please share. I really like your laminated recovery reference idea.

 

That's the one. Google it or

https://www.bits.de/NRANEU/others/amd-us-archive/Fm20-22(62).pdf

 

Appreciate it @cwadej.