Tow rope or chain.

[oosik]

I have a 20 foot by 3 inch wide nylon industrial tie down strap. It has open hooks on both ends. Each end has a leather sleeve, at the hook, to prevent cutting. It has just the correct amount of stretch.

My chains are used for securing tree trunks on my farm wagon.

 

[ArlyA]

I quit steel chains years ago for everything. This thread is about utv/atv towing and poly straps is what we carry with us 24/7.

 

[ruffdog]

Post #1 by OP.

"Had to pull the Kubota BX out of the mud I got into while mowing. The Mule did a good job, but my cheap rope was cut by the frame of the tractor."

 

[LouNY]

I quit steel chains years ago for everything. This thread is about utv/atv towing and poly straps is what we carry with us 24/7.

I don't see how you can say that, it may be in an atv section but the thread title is chain or tow rope.

My 5/16 and 3/8 chains can be used for anything and everything, from my lawn mower to my tractors and sxs. As can my 1" Yankum Kinetic rope thats good for up to 11,000 pounds.

As far as I'm concerned the "poly" straps are not a good recovery strap unless they are true RECOVERY straps which are elastic and stretch before becoming taut.

Tow straps are not elastic and just load up till they break.

Two completely different critters.

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[newbury]

Chain with something to throw over it (blanket, coat) in case it breaks. Had a tow truck driver winching a now one wheeled tow dolly onto his trailer. it stuck on something, he horsed it, the chain broke and became a missile. Lucky no body was in the way.

 

[ruffdog]

Depends honestly...I have a 1/4 inch grade 80 chain for the little stuff. Much easier to carry and deal with over the 5/16 inch grade 70. Also have a kinetic rope for vehicles. You can use a tow strap, and I do have one, but you need good connection points where there is no rubbing to cause fraying or ripping.

I also have some 1/4 hoist chain with hooks on each end. Handy things for many jobs.

 

[garry1p]

I read an article about a guy that pulled cars with a chain and ran the chain through a 1" diameter galvanized pipe so the towed vehicle could not run into his truck in case the brakes wouldn't hold the towed vehicle back.
I agree a snatch (recovery) strap is not a tow strap and would be a poor choice as a tow strap.
Having said that a tow rope with hooks would be my choice for towing.

 

[CalG]

A few CARABINERS go a long way to preserving rope or strap.

They come in all capacities, are not costly, and can be doubled up if in doubt.

Cut straps and nicked ropes are worthless!

 

[Bronco82]

I keep one of these in the back of my rzr for just that reason. Has served me well for my usage, ATV's and UTV's.

 

[CalG]

I read some "misconceptions" on these pages.

First is an expression that a chain will "snap" and whip if it fails. That's not true, a chain drops like a rock when a link or pin fails. It's the STRAPs that retain the energy. The straps and poly rope (recovery stretch ropes are the bad ones), when the attachments fail, launch what ever is attached at high velocity. Often directly at the vehicles involved.

Now, chains are NOT for Jerking!

Stuff breaks when you do that.

Straps "soften the jerk", but at a risk of how things are rigged. I once pulled the entire bumper off my daughter's Isuzu Trooper getting her out of a snowy ditch. That gal!

You DO NOT need a snatch rope to pull a BX out of mushy ground with a side by side!
But you do need to make your attachments BULLET PROOF!

A broken rope is nothing

A failed three pound "Hook" , may be lethal!