A Good Tow Strap Can Save You From a Huge Towing Bill

If your car or truck gets stuck, a good tow strap (often called a recovery strap) can save the day, and quite possibly save your wallet. If you can get the vehicle unstuck by yourself, you won't have to call a towing company, wait for them, and then pay the resulting bill.

Think of your strap as cheap insurance in the event you get into a situation where you might otherwise need towing.

A recovery strap, which is the type of strap you want for getting unstuck, works through a transfer of kinetic energy. You attach the strap to the back of the recovery vehicle and the front of the vehicle that needs recovery. As the recovery vehicle accelerates, the strap stretches to the point that it "wants" to go back to its original size. Because it's attached at both ends and can't do that, its only option is to use that stored energy to assist the stuck vehicle.

When you purchase your recovery strap, make sure you get one without hooks on the ends. A strap with hooks is made for standard towing situations, not for recovery. Using a strap with hooks, or using the strap incorrectly, can be extremely dangerous. The issue is that if the strap breaks, the hooks could pop off and cause injury. So make sure the strap you purchase has sewn loops at each end rather than hooks.

If you have a 4-wheel drive, you might need the extra capabilities of a snatch strap, which is essentially a tow strap with more elastic properties that allow it to stretch under pressure. A snatch strap will make the recovery easier, and there will be less of a chance that your vehicle will be damaged.

The ideal width for your recovery strap is two or three inches. People often think that the wider the strap the better, but that's not the case. As the strap gets wider, its elasticity is reduced, which means it won't work nearly as well.

So find a good recovery strap and keep it in your car or truck for those unforeseen situations.

About this Author

Todd Barnes has served the transportation industry for ten years and has become an authority on many products including tow straps, moving supplies and E Track. For a complete line of products Todd recommends US Cargo Control.

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