Tow Strap V's Snatch Strap

[Hotwheels]

Hi I would like to know what the difference is between a Tow strap rated at 8000 Kg and a Snatch Strap rated at 8000 Kg and in an emergency would you be able to use a tow strap for a snatch strap?

[quack]

i think the anwser is that the snatch strap is desinged to stretch when snatched and the tow rope is for pulling and wont stretch.

i would just get the snatch strap, they should have about 20% elasticity and a rope about 30% i think.

[geeves]

You dont see many tow straps rated to 8000kg. Tow straps have a purpose that requires minimal stretch probably 10% or less. Snatch straps use the stretch to do most of the work so 20% is a bare minimum with one exception. Tow to Go make a polyester strap with 12% strech in 2 sizes. The 9 meter will break things if used as a snatch but the 25 meter is quite good as 12% over 25 meters does as much work as 30% over 9. There are some straps that quote up to 40% stretch These are the best but you pay for quality. Nylon ropes (25mm diameter for the rating) normaly have 30% but can have 50%.
Have a look at the tow strap. If it has a warning about recoil sewn into either end or the lable quotes at least 20% stretch it is ok for snatching

[Hotwheels]

Thank you for that info as i was given a tow strap to replace my tow rope that was 25mm nylon and they told me that this strap was rated at 8000 Kg how ever I rolled it out today it turns out that it is only rated to 4500Kg

[geeves]

rateings is a funny science as it applies differently to different things. None of our recovery gear is actualy rated and is not likly to be anytime soon. The reason is that everyone looks over there shoulder at what the competitors are doing and none like haveing to use a safty factor between 3 and 6. I think ropes are 3 so a 8000kg snatch strap would only get rated at 2500kg Winches would get rated with a factor of 6 so that nice new 9000 pound winch just became 1300 pound which is what the same winch would be if used in the building industry. This is why you cant breaka 3 ton shackle with a 9000 pound winch The shackle is correctly rated and shouldnt break at less than 18 ton or 36000 pound.
If your strap says rated to 4500kg then it wont break till heaps more than that but also is not suitable for snatching.
Get a proper 9 meter recovery strap or equivelent rope.

[Hotwheels]

Thank You Geevees