You never know what sort of vehicle situation you might fall into. Accidents happen, whether it’s your fault or someone else’s. Unwelcome road conditions can cause a vehicle to breakdown or to get stuck. You just never know. Hence, it is important to be prepared, just in case you find yourself with a broken down vehicle or find yourself helping someone with a broken down vehicle. One way to be prepared is to keep a recovery tow strap in your vehicle.
Recovery tow straps are made out of nylon and come in a range of sizes. Some straps are sold as wide as 12 inches; however, the typical width is 2-3 inches. In terms of length, recovery tow straps are generally 30 inches, though, you’ll also see them in lengths of 16,20, and 25 inches. The size depends on the vehicle being pulled. If you’re pulling a large truck, then a wider strap would be best. For a car, a 2”x 16” should be suitable for the job.
These straps are built to pull vehicles. Furthermore, they are extremely strong and durable. Users of the recovery strap will not have to worry about it busting as long as it has been kept in good condition while stored.
Now that you know the makeup of a recovery strap, you now need to know when to use them and how to use them.
When to use a recovery tow strap
Recovery tow straps are used to “recover” a vehicle, primarily when one is stuck in a ditch or in the mud. If you are wanting to forgo the use of a tow truck then you can use a recovery strap. Of course, you will need another vehicle’s assistance in order to use a recovery strap. One end of the strap must be connected to the vehicle which is stuck, while the other end must be connected to the vehicle which is to pull the stuck vehicle from its current position.
Once recovered, the owner of the vehicle can proceed on their way if their vehicle is safe to drive. If not, please understand that a recovery tow strap is meant to remove a vehicle from a stuck position, not to tow the vehicle a distance. If the destination is close by, it is okay to keep the recovery strap attached between the two vehicles and the front vehicle can guide the broken down vehicle. Be sure the broken down vehicle is attended to, as someone will need to steer it. When it doubt, call a tow company. Recovery straps are a convenient use for vehicle predicaments. However, they are not a legitimate replacement for a tow truck.
For example, say a vehicle is stuck in a ditch. You can use a recovery strap to remove the vehicle from the ditch. This will prevent additional damage to the vehicle if it were to remain in the ditch. But, if the vehicle is not drivable or safe to drive, you still need to contact a tow company to handle the vehicle properly.
How to use a recovery tow strap
- Take the strap and lay it flat on the ground. Make sure it is not twisted.
- There are two hooks at each end of the strap. Attach one hook to the mount located below the rear bumper of the vehicle which is stuck. Do not attach the hook to the rear bumper itself as it may not be able to withstand the pressure and could cause damage to the rear bumper. If you cannot locate the exact mount to place the hook then please refer to the owner’s manual. Trailer hitches will have a spot to place the hook as well.
- Attach the other hook to the mount located underneath the front bumper of the pulling vehicle.
- Once both hooks are secure, the driver of each vehicle can take their place behind each vehicle’s wheel. The pulling vehicle can slowly proceed forward to straighten the strap to its full extent.
- The pulling vehicle can continue at a slow, safe speed to the nearby destination.
It is important to reiterate the fact that recovery tow straps are used only for specific situations. The use of a tow truck will always be the surest bet. If you are in need of tow services, please do not hesitate to contact your top towing source, Chavez Towing. A representative will arrive to your vehicle ASAP to execute the tow in a safe, efficient manner.
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