Apache wrote:

... you can drop the strap over your towball ...

I have a very heavy lifting chain that I use on occasions. It will pull the front of the car before it gives!

I use the following setup:
- a Tmax kinetic tow strap, i think it's about 8 meters long
- a regular tow strap (probably also Tmax) which is a bit longer but is not a kinetic one
- 2-3 shackles, I think they are at least 5 ton rated. One of the shackles I mounted in the front of the car and, since it was a bit too large and hard to fit, I never removed it. So it's always ready for action

With this setup I never had problems neither being recovered from deep mud or in helping others. I have seen several no-name tow straps which broke in difficult situations. In this case, I think the quality makes a lot of difference.

I only use a 24mm nylon rope and rated shackles. Strops are OK but if you really want safe pulling power IMHO you can't beat a top quality rope. Never ever use non rated shackles! Rated shackles are not that expensive.

The biggest issue when recovering vehicles with a rope/strop (providing you are using good gear) is the condition of the other vehicle. When a rotten bumper or chassis leg comes adrift it is not much fun. In the 4x4 Response organisation I am in it is policy to avoid towing recoveries. The reasons are one because of the aforementioned vehicle condition unknowns and two because it is staggering to see the number of stuck people who have begged to be towed out and then claim you damaged their vehicle!

BTW don't go anywhere near a KER rope unless you really know what you are doing...they can be lethal and personally I avoid using them. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

I don't have a tow bar on the FL2 but using the old FL1 I always towed with the towing eye which I always thought was correct. I just read a post there that mentioned tow ball? 60 plate SD4 XS, Stornoway Grey, Arm rest pack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly--gT1RJdk

alex_pescaru wrote:

Apache wrote:

... you can drop the strap over your towball ...

Never do that !

Because the rope/strap have the habit of sliding themselves to the place where the tow ball begins.
This is the thinnest zone of the whole assembly.
Not once the tow ball broke away from the assembly and imagine what a projectile can be a round pound of metal propelled by a sudden release of a couple of tones of force...

Look at one of many examples...

And always, always, put some blanket or similar over the rope. In this way the rope, if breaks, tends to be grounded.

Look on the web for proper techniques. Like this one:

saw this at end of that youtube video

 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Machine Mart will sell you a decent heavy tow strop of the correct legal length and some good quality D or Bow shackles they normaly have a kit in stock ( including a big Bow that will fit over a tow ball it's invaluable to get towed if you ever need it) you honestly do not need to spend a fortune on insurance rated lifting shackles with a certificate if you will only be towing ( not heavy recovery or kinetic snatching) about £35 should sort you out more than adequetly. I've got a set in the Freelander , and in winter i keep onother set already rigged up to screw into the beemers front tow eye, That one got used about 20 times last year... 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

alex_pescaru wrote:

Because the rope/strap have the habit of sliding themselves to the place where the tow ball begins.
This is the thinnest zone of the whole assembly.
Not once the tow ball broke away from the assembly and imagine what a projectile can be a round pound of metal propelled by a sudden release of a couple of tones of force...

Yes, but the pin, if breaks, doesn't fly... This is the reason he uses THAT type of pin, instead of a D shackle...

Have it your way, be a pirate...

Many experts are saying that the tow ball should never be use for recovery purposes.
I, for one, I am trying to learn from others' mistakes.

Last edited by alex_pescaru on 11th Oct 2012 6:17 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Decent rated shackles aint that expensive.

http://www.mm-4x4.com/bow-shackle-34-pin----3--34-ton-3021-p.asp

Well worth it. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Thats that sort that Machine mart sell, JST, Chinese, same as i've got, the pukka ones for the LOLER regs with certification cost many times that , I've never had a problem with the cheap ones, doing everything from towing a car to sledging a dead donkey up the field with the Defender, but would I use them for lifting at work, no way , at the end of the day an AA branded 2 tonne tow strap with crappy 10 pence hooks will tow an average car , and to be fair unless you want to trash your freelander you should not need anything more 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .