One hell of a tow strap

[lonestar]

I heard of couple of people around here carrying 100 ft of tow rope, just incase, but check this out.

Dead Link Removed

You could make custom lengths and hooks also..

 

[Xplodor]

That was made like in 1981, doens't it have an expiration date on it or something?

Wonder what the capacity on it is.

 

[Alec]

According to the guidelines I was taught as a climbing instructor, as long as it has never had a load on it, was stored in a reasonably dry place, and has not been exposed to UV then it's still usable.

However, to put loops in it, cut it, etc; you'd need an industrial sewing machine to make the HD stitches required for tow straps.

 

[lonestar]

I t may be a little hard to sew loops in. You have 100 yds, Just wrap it around a hook, axle or hitch and tie a knot. Even if you used 5 ft to tie a knot you should have plenty. A 100 yd strap probably would not be used very often, but it would be nice to have in time of need.

 

[Xplodor]

My friend lost a quad down a 300 ft cliff with just a slight angle, almost verticle /. Luckly the quad stopped and ran into a tree about 180 ft down.

We attached a rope to my hitch, and he repelled down, and tied it to the quad. I couldn't go straight so I had to go perpindicular because of the way the fire road was built, we got it up half way and had to stop because we ran out of room. Then we rapped the rope around my friends tow hook on her F150, used that as an angle/pivot point, and it was a lot easier because the quad went straight up instead of sideways. Pretty cool. I had stopped by home depot to get the rope on the way to the rescue.

 

[Alec]

The only thing is every knot put in a climbing rope or tow strap cuts the rope's strength by 20%.

 

[IAmTodd]

Wat happens when you put 5 in it no strength, what am i talking about, i'm in trig, thats not how it works, although i dont' know how it does

 

[Robert]

Hey cool. I could wrap it around the Arizona Cardinals while they are standing on their 1 yard line and pull them into the other endzone from the parking lot

 

[Alec]

Cumulatively, the rule of thumb is that knots can ultimately only cut the strength by a total of half.

 

[addkev]

According to the MIL SPEC, it has a strength of 4500 lbs, but that ultimately that could change due to length.

MIL SPEC MIL-W-4088J

 

[VBVA]

Originally posted by Alec
The only thing is every knot put in a climbing rope or tow strap cuts the rope's strength by 20%.

42% of statistics are made up on the spot...

 

[Klowns]

I thought it was like 83%?

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by addkev
According to the MIL SPEC, it has a strength of 4500 lbs, but that ultimately that could change due to length.

MIL SPEC MIL-W-4088J

I was figuring it was low from the look of it, but that is really low.

I wouldn't suggest using that for a vehicle tow strap unless you double or triple it up. I've seen too many 10' 10,000 lbs straps break trying to get a vehicle out. Never seen a 20' 20,000 lbs strap break though.

 

[Alec]

All in all, not a good strap for reliable offroad recovery.

 

[TheRookie]

According to the guidelines I was taught as a climbing instructor, as long as it has never had a load on it, was stored in a reasonably dry place, and has not been exposed to UV then it's still usable.

That was one instructor that doesnt want to keep his job. Propper timing would be every 2 years to retire it. Now I may not agree with the need here but it is a standard time line.

The only thing is every knot put in a climbing rope or tow strap cuts the rope's strength by 20%.

Almost correct. MOST reduce strength by atleast 20 % Some (like the boline) reduce it by as much as 40% (that is why only boy scouts and fire fighters use it. NO high angle rescuer will use a boline if he/she has been trained. ) Some even more. Figure 8 on a bight is exactly 20% reduction. The ONLY knot that should EVER be tied in ANY kind of webbing is the water knot. BTW propperly tied the water knot retains up to 95% strength. I would buy tubular webbing over flat (like is in the ad) for towing. Stronger.

As always. Nothing personal against anyone. I know this as I have been doing rope rescue for many years.

 

[Alec]

Well, I wouldn't use it as a life rope if it was 20 years old

It has been a while since I took those courses, so I am a bit rusty.