Best way to join snatch straps !!

[Chippy76]

Ive gotta say I like the towel idea that ute posted ...I will have to try this and see how well it works ...

Cheers Chippy

[Symon]

Two connected snatch straps will only give about 16 Mts distance between the 2 x vehicles and who carries 2 x snatch straps anyway

Actually 18m as most straps I believe are 9m in length. 

"Who carries two straps?" Are you kidding? I carry three snatch straps, two equaliser straps, a winch extension strap, and a spare winch rope in addition to the one on the winch.  I would hardly call that abnormal.  I'm actually considering getting another snatch strap before the Cape trip, as I'm sure one of the ones I currently carry would be worn out by the time June rolls around.

[briann532]

O.K. I think this is what they call "pouring fuel on the fire"and I'll accept all abuse fired at me, as I willingly pose this question.

It is however not to troll, or cause a ruckus, but to satisfy a burning argument I've had going on with some other folk for some time now.
I am pretty sure after the flames die down I'll make reason out of the intellect from this site

Can you join a snatch strap with an extension strap? If you are going to answer, please let me know your reasoning so I can use it.

If you choose just to plainly abuse me as a keyboard warrior or just cos you can, please remember I'm married so give it your best shot.

In hope of not only some good sensible replies, but also to finally lay this beast to rest with some mates

Brian

[Symon]

Yes you can join a snatch strap with an extension strap.  There is a risk that you will overload and break the extension strap, but to be quite frank this is not a problem in my books.  I would much prefer to have straps break than to have the recovery points let go.

[Chippy76]

Yes you CAN join snatch straps with a extension strap, tho it is not considered best practice.

The reasoning for this? 

Extension straps are primarily designed to take the weight associatewd with winching. This is a slow constant load, as opposed to a sudden high shock load. Whilst winch straps ARE designed to take high loads, they are NOT designed to take sudden (and VERY high) shock loads. They may be fine when used a few times like this, but the chances of a failure are very much increased with each use.

Snatch straps - altho "soft"- still store ALOT of potential energy when stretched to full stretch, and when that releases, such as in a failure, the consequences can be horrific. They are still more than capable of tearing through sheetmetal like it was paper.  What it would do to any bystanders is just unimaginable.

Like I said Im not saying it is a dead set no -no, however if you MUST do it .... please dont do it near me ...

Cheers Chippy

[Jason B]

Yes you can join a snatch strap with an extension strap.  There is a risk that you will overload and break the extension strap, but to be quite frank this is not a problem in my books.  I would much prefer to have straps break than to have the recovery points let go.

I agree with Symon.

Having done this, I snapped the extention straps. It took a number of full on snatches (Bogged fully loaded F250) before they broke, but I am glade they let go before any recovery points. Normally I would have prefered to use 2 snatch straps joined together. For this recovery we only had two snatch straps and decided to use the extentions so we didn't stuff both snatch straps in the early part of the recovery. As it was they were both nackered by the end (Went in the bin and were replaced) we broke 3 extention straps.

Regards


Jas

[barneys]

why would you have your foot so close to a snake

[Jason B]

Two connected snatch straps will only give about 16 Mts distance between the 2 x vehicles and who carries 2 x snatch straps anyway

Mainey I carry at least 2 snatch straps, 2 x 20m winch extention straps, and a tree trunk protector as a minimum in my kit. I always keep one brand new unused snatch strap in the kit. When the one in use starts to look tatty or has done its share of recoveries I bin it and start to use the new one. I then buy a brand new one to take the old ones place. Because they are so dangerous $70 - $90 bucks once of twice a year is cheap insurance.

Regards


Jas

[BigJules]

For sure you can join an extension strap and a snatch strap, if you need to reach further. It doesn't matter that the extension strap is static, as opposed to the dynamic nature of a snatch strap. The snatch strap will do it's thing. Recovery points are static too.

[jetcrew]

I say yes as well...

Reason - Walking home sucks LOL.

I belive the answer lies in the recovery being effected, some times all that is required is a slight pull ,not a full snatch where a lifting motion is required on the bogged vehicle.

If its a full 3rd gear pedal to the floor snatch ,then I would try and find a 2nd or 3rd (2 should be a min on any trip) snatch strap. As its the built up energy of the snatch straps that create the lift required to free the bogged car.

But if all you have is an extension strap then factor that into your overall recovery teq. More digging or jacking might be required. as opposed to a full noise snatch.

When stuck you have only the resourses avail at the time so design your recovery in order to achive the objective in the safeset possible fashion (Vehc & persons). Having regard for the equip you have avail.

I have seen recoveries effected safley using some very strange pieces of equip.

The objective is to free or recover the 4x4 in the safest possible fashion, this can look and be different to a normall snatch as seen on TV.

Bit like fishing when using light line you always back the drag off a little, when using 100lb handlines the skull drag teq seems to be the go.

Hope thats not anymore fuel A worthy topic though

Jet  

[Burnsy]

and who carries 2 x snatch straps anyway

I have three in my kit

[Wunderlust]

Hi guys,

Winch extension kits should not be used for snatching applications. The reason being is plasma rope or supermax rope is very stiff, it is almost as stiff as wire rope. Snatch straps by their very nature are designed to snatch the load and stretch / absorbs some of the transmitted load. These hope ropes are so stiff they transmit the load without absorbing it which results in huge peak loads if used as a snatch strap. It will either snap or you vehicle recovery hooks will fail if used as a snatch stap replacement!

If interested in hmpe ropes and their applications including winch extensions, plasma by the meter etc, I run this website for plasma rope for the company I work for. It's the genuine product, no Chinema and exclusive in Australia! I can do a deal if interested. Site is www.plasmarope.com.au

Tim

[Jason B]

Hi guys,

Winch extension kits should not be used for snatching applications. The reason being is plasma rope or supermax rope is very stiff, it is almost as stiff as wire rope. Snatch straps by their very nature are designed to snatch the load and stretch / absorbs some of the transmitted load. These hope ropes are so stiff they transmit the load without absorbing it which results in huge peak loads if used as a snatch strap. It will either snap or you vehicle recovery hooks will fail if used as a snatch stap replacement!

If interested in hmpe ropes and their applications including winch extensions, plasma by the meter etc, I run this website for plasma rope for the company I work for. It's the genuine product, no Chinema and exclusive in Australia! I can do a deal if interested. Site is www.plasmarope.com.au

Tim

Tim I agree with you, you can't use a winch extention strap or plasma rope as a snatch strap as that would end in drama. The discussion here is using an extention strap/plasma rope in conjunction with a snatch strap (to add distance between vehicles). This is quite acceptable in many situations, as stated above particularly when the vehicle being recovered is only lighly bogged.


Regards


Jas

[Symon]

We aren't saying you can use an extension strap as a snatch strap, but you can join an extension strap to a snatch strap if needed.

Not recommended, but can be done if no other choice.

[Wunderlust]

Tim I agree with you, you can't use a winch extention strap or plasma rope as a snatch strap as that would end in drama. The discussion here is using an extention strap/plasma rope in conjunction with a snatch strap (to add distance between vehicles). This is quite acceptable in many situations, as stated above particularly when the vehicle being recovered is only lighly bogged.


Regards


Jas

Hi jas,

I should have probably clarified this, yes an extension is probably ok when used with a snatch strap, so long as their is stretch in the system, but not as I described - just using the winch extension kit!

Tim

[McGirr]

For everyone to understand our predicament last year at the Cape was when we were crossing Nolan's Creek. 3 vehicles got across but the next 2 did not and got stuck coming out. No problem there as 1 single snatch strap was used.

The other problem was 6 other cars were on the other side. The crossing was about 15 meters wide and up to the headlights in depth. We used 3 straps joined together so that we had enough length for yogi to get some speed up and get the cars across. All safety measures were discussed and all non essential help was well away from the action.

I was the sucker in the water with the hand held giving directions and getting soaked when the cars hit the water. We got everyone across but the straps were too hard to un do even with joiners we had which were ones I think JK had.

Mark

[Vince]

As UTE 701 posted    - http://www.tektrek.com.au/images/4WD%20RECOVERY_How%20to%20join%20recovery%20straps.pdf

The only safe method!!!

As for using an extension strap combined with snatch straps in the recovery,  the extension strap should be placed at the end point of recovey IE: attached to the vehicle -- recovering or to be recovered and then and only then it should be used as a tow/pull NOT a snatch recovery.

Simple guide lines can save grief........and the first rule of any recovery is................boil the billy and have a cuppa while ya contemplate what ya gonna do next!!

[Symon]

For everyone to understand our predicament last year at the Cape was when we were crossing Nolan's Creek. 3 vehicles got across but the next 2 did not and got stuck coming out. No problem there as 1 single snatch strap was used.

The other problem was 6 other cars were on the other side. The crossing was about 15 meters wide and up to the headlights in depth. We used 3 straps joined together so that we had enough length for yogi to get some speed up and get the cars across. All safety measures were discussed and all non essential help was well away from the action.

I was the sucker in the water with the hand held giving directions and getting soaked when the cars hit the water. We got everyone across but the straps were too hard to un do even with joiners we had which were ones I think JK had.

Mark

In reality we only used the snatch straps because we needed the length.  We could have used extension straps instead, taken up the strain slowly and then got Yogi to floor it.  But to be honest I really don't think it mattered, there wasn't that much strain on the straps (we weren't really recovering, just merely giving the vehicles a helping hand through) and I'm pretty sure the only reason the straps bound up is because the join slipped a bit so that the bit of webbing we had in there didn't do its job properly.

More a bit of bad luck than bad technique in my opinion, happy to be told otherwise though.

[jk]

Spot on Symon, the strap that stayed in place came out without much trouble but the second one slipped sideways during the numerous recoveries and we had to cut the oldest of the snatch straps to retrieve the other strap and the joiner.

[Maîneÿ . . .]

why would you have your foot so close to a snake

I "trust" the snake 

+++++++++++++++++

Got me thinking about some of the replies on here about using more than one snatch strap to increase the distance between the 2 x vehicles   

I think if the snatch strap is attached to one vehicle and a suitably rated extension 'rope' or 'cable' etc, is securely attached to the other vehicle then what can be wrong with that ??

The kinetic energy is created only in the snatch strap, as the rated 'rope' or 'cable' etc, is just acting like an extension of the existing anchor point on the vehicle it is attached to, and does not affect the kinetic energy, or the rebound of the snatch strap, in any way.

However, using 2 x snatch straps will have a different effect than just one snatch strap, this is due to the length being double of the original strap, the kinetic energy created is therefore different.
If the length made no difference at all, then the converse could be said that a 4mt snatch strap creates as much kinetic energy as an 8mt, or a 16mt snatch strap, and we know that is not true at all.

From my understanding of the workings of a snatch strap, they are designed to stretch to a point, then the kinetic energy, (rubber band recoil) is used to pull the bogged vehicle from the bog, the pulling vehicle is moved forward slowly in low range, 1st or 2nd gear and the rubber band (kinetic energy) effect of the snatch strap pulls the second vehicle from the 'bog'

[Beachman]

I keep some bits of dowel in my recovery kit.

I also have 2 pieces of dowel with a hole drilled at each end. One end has a twine tied to it. Once it's been placed between the 2 straps I just tie the twine to the other hole and it stops the dowel from falling out.

[Jason B]

I "trust" the snake 

+++++++++++++++++

I think if the snatch strap is attached to one vehicle and a suitably rated extension 'rope' or 'cable' etc, is securely attached to the other vehicle then what can be wrong with that ??

Mainey.

You will get away with one strap, but it leaves you no margin if you break your one and only snatch strap, as good as your strap looks, it happens.

NEVER EVER USE A CABLE IN A SNATCH RECOVERY. An extention strap is one thing but a steel cable IS WAY TO DANGEROUS TO EVEN CONSIDER. I will post a pic of one of our work trucks with a steel cable inserted in the windscreen. DONT EVEN CONSIDER IT.


Regards


Jas

[Rod Camping]

Just Straps sell these...joining strap

X 2 The work a treat.

[John N (sa)]

I also have 2 pieces of dowel with a hole drilled at each end. One end has a twine tied to it. Once it's been placed between the 2 straps I just tie the twine to the other hole and it stops the dowel from falling out.

A slight variation; I use three pieces of dowel each about 30cm long and join the straps in a reef knot fashion as per Utes' examples earlier. The three pieces form a triangle and as they don't crush like a rolled up magazine, are quite easy to remove afterwards. I keep them together with some insulation tape in the recovery bag.

In saying that, a full snatch recovery is generally a last resort in our club and after other options of driving, jacking, digging, towing or winching don't or won't work. Joining a snatch strap and extension strap would be OK for a tow in my view, but I would opt for the proper straps when snatching.

[Maîneÿ . . .]

Mainey.
You will get away with one strap, but it leaves you no margin if you break your one and only snatch strap, as good as your strap looks, it happens.
NEVER EVER USE A CABLE IN A SNATCH RECOVERY. An extention strap is one thing but a steel cable IS WAY TO DANGEROUS TO EVEN CONSIDER. I will post a pic of one of our work trucks with a steel cable inserted in the windscreen. DONT EVEN CONSIDER IT.

Jas,
Point taken, however I was only using the words 'rope' and 'cable' as I could think of no other word that could be used as an 'extension lead' or 'extension cable' or 'extension rope' that made any sense in showing it was an 'extension' of the attachment on the vehicle and not another snatch strap.
I have a 8mt polly rope as my 'extension strap' if required because of the inability to stretch, unlike nylon rope.

A steel 'rope' or 'cable' would never be considered for the reasons you have nominated