Recovery Gear Used for Towing Vehicles
When going on off-road trips or driving over rough terrain, there is always a risk of your vehicle getting stuck. And if you are travelling as a group, another vehicle can tow you out of the predicament. But you need to have the right recovery gear to ensure successful recovery.
There are many tools that you can keep in your recovery kit.
One of them is the snatch strap which is also known as a kinetic recovery strap. These are made of strong materials such as nylon or polyester and the strap will stretch which will cause it to store kinetic energy under tension. These will stretch and elongate when they are tensioned and this storage of kinetic energy allows the strap to recover vehicles that are stuck. For example, if your vehicle is stuck in mud, this stored kinetic tension will help to apply a sudden powerful force which will help the vehicle get released from its position. You will find reinforced loops at each end of the strap so that you can easily secure them to the stuck vehicle and the recovery vehicle. You can find these in different weight ratings so you need to find a strap that is compatible with the size of your vehicle. You can control the recovery of the vehicle with the use of straps and because they are lightweight, they are easy to store and travel with as well.
Tow chains are made of steel most of the time and these are great for towing heavier vehicles.
You can find these in heavy-duty towing where a lot of strength is needed. These have high tensile strength which allows them to handle higher loads in complex towing operations. And there will be clevis hooks or end hooks at each end of the tow chains for secure attachment. You can use these in adverse weather and they can withstand a lot of wear and tear compared to synthetic materials. These are a reliable recovery tool to keep as they have a long life.Tow ropes are made of nylon and they can be used for light towing applications. You can keep them as a backup. You can keep these in your vehicle for city driving as these are great in unexpected towing situations.
You can also
Use tow straps that are similar to snatch straps but these don’t have the same elasticity. They are made of strong materials with reinforced loops at each end. And because they are not elastic, these will not store kinetic energy like the snatch straps. You can find these in different weight capacities so that you can choose what is best for your vehicle. And this also allows for controlled towing as you can benefit from the steady towing forces provided by the tow straps. So if you are in a situation where you need to constantly pull the stuck vehicle at a steady pace, this is a great tool to have. Tow straps have a high resistance to wear and tear and these are lightweight as well which makes it easy to carry.