Tow Strap vs Kinetic Strap?

[Drachenfels]

I've used tow straps extensively over the years - wondering if I should get modern, and go with a Kinetic Strap? Looking for personal pros/cons from folks w/ recent experience. Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm looking at 7/8" x 30' options, to leave in the vehicle for 'just in case'... Thinking Sandy Cats based on what I've read...

 

[3TV]

They make kinetic straps and kinetic ropes. Your mention of a 7/8" x 30' measurement makes me think you are referring to a kinetic rope. They also make non-kinetic straps and ropes. The non-kinetic kind are what you want for use with a winch or as a winch extension, whether it is a strap or a rope. The kinetic kind are what you want for vehicle recovery where you are trying to jerk the vehicle loose or tow the vehicle using another vehicle. I have never known of a specific advantage for using a rope instead of a strap, but there are others on the forum that may help with that. I actually prefer the strap kind over the rope kind because they are easier to stow away in a smaller area.

 

[Un4seen4]

I've used tow straps extensively over the years - wondering if I should get modern, and go with a Kinetic Strap? Looking for personal pros/cons from folks w/ recent experience. Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm looking at 7/8" x 30' options, to leave in the vehicle for 'just in case'... Thinking Sandy Cats based on what I've read...

two different tools for the two different uses.

a normal tow strap is more intended for static pulls where you get tension on the line and then pull with a constant load, kinda like a winching idea.

a kinetic rope is ment for a kinetic pull where the rope will be slack the, tow vehicle will accelerate appropriately, rope becomes taut, then rope acts like a bungie giving a tug to the stuck vehicle.

Ive mostly used kinetic ropes while in mud sand and snow where its more of a traction issue vs a hung up on something in the rocks where a static pull may be more appropriate and more controllable.

I have both and carry both, I highly recommend factor 55s products, Justin is extremely knowledgeable an awesome dude and friend. Plus it's all USA made. Send them an email or a message on IG and he'll get you squared away.

 

[Drachenfels]

Got it - sounds like I need both depending on the circumstances.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I have a kinetic and when off-road also cary a regular strap. I have found we use the winches most of the time. A kinetic can be used for static pulls also but if you use a static rope and need that extra momentum pull you risk breaking something and create flying debris.

 

[Drachenfels]

Back in my Army days, we used a mix of wire tow cables and fixed tow bars to pull stuck/disabled vehicles. One of the issues was tow points on vehicles - they weren’t created equal, despite contracts and mil requirements. Not to mention that some drivers could get stuck on solid concrete surfaces, and others could stay mobile in bottomless mud. On random civilian vehicles - I’m trying to get my head around what’s possible, appropriate, and minimal risk. I want to be prepared to get me out - and help folks who are willing to work with me.

Sounds like I need both - and a chance to practice with them - before they are needed. Plus the compressor to air tires back up, plus the shackles to connect to tow points, plus the ‘tree savers’ to act as an anchor point, plus… /grin.

Looking forward to getting back out. I’ve missed MOST of those times. Will pass on digging out vehicles (with trailers attached) all buried past the axles in swamps… DAMHIK.

 

[3TV]

Back in my Army days, we used a mix of wire tow cables and fixed tow bars to pull stuck/disabled vehicles. One of the issues was tow points on vehicles - they weren’t created equal, despite contracts and mil requirements. Not to mention that some drivers could get stuck on solid concrete surfaces, and others could stay mobile in bottomless mud. On random civilian vehicles - I’m trying to get my head around what’s possible, appropriate, and minimal risk. I want to be prepared to get me out - and help folks who are willing to work with me.

Sounds like I need both - and a chance to practice with them - before they are needed. Plus the compressor to air tires back up, plus the shackles to connect to tow points, plus the ‘tree savers’ to act as an anchor point, plus… /grin.

Looking forward to getting back out. I’ve missed MOST of those times. Will pass on digging out vehicles (with trailers attached) all buried past the axles in swamps… DAMHIK.

Sounds like you've got it figured out pretty well. Have fun with the new Jeep.

I'll give an example of why you don't want to use a kinetic strap with a winch. Five years ago, I was in the high desert of Nevada in the early spring, with a Ram Power Wagon that had the factory 16.5K Warn winch. There was a very small stream (1/2" deep x 1' wide) crossing the narrow 2-track road I was on, that ran down the passenger side track of the 2-track road for about 20'. I didn't think twice about crossing it, but when I did I found that the ground under the small stream was super saturated with water, and the passenger side of the truck immediately dropped frame deep in mud. I was solo, and there was nothing to hook my winch too that was close enough to reach with the winch cable. I added my winch extension rope and tried hooking to some large brush, but it just pulled the brush out of the ground. I had to add every strap I had, including a kinetic recovery strap to reach a solid enough winch anchor. While winching, the drum of the winch just kept spooling in without the truck moving. The straps kept getting tighter and tighter without the truck moving. Eventually the winch was pulling so hard that it stalled the motor at its full 16,500 lb pull rating. I sat in the truck for a minute trying to decide what to do next, thinking I was in for a long walk out. There was no cell phone service. I was just reaching for the door handle to get out of the truck when I heard a loud sucking sound and felt the truck start to move forward. The truck shot forward as it broke free from the mud and the fully stretched out kinetic recovery strap recoiled. The truck launched so hard that I stepped on the brakes. Even with the brakes fully locked it did not stop the truck from shooting forward about 25'. If I had got out of the truck sooner and had been standing in front of the truck looking things over the truck would have come right over the top of me.

 

[Un4seen4]

by no means an all inclusive list/pic but this is what I carry:

all the time in one of those Plano small bins:
-30ft static
-couple soft shackles
-couple bow/hard shackles
-tree saver
-gloves
-winch controller
-bottle jack

big bag (pic is an oder pic that I have sense added to)
-another 30ft static
-couple more soft shackles
-couple more bow/hard shackles
-another tree saver
-another pair of gloves
-snatch block, std and a synthetic line friendly one.
-couple hitch links and hitch pins
-high lift base/jack pad
-winch extension
-kinetic rope
-winch

I carry a lot of stuff but when I used to play with the big boys in the yota, someone would be pulling winch line at least once a trip. Few times I even had to barrow other peoples gear on top of all of mine to get people out but they were pretty extreme situations.

I know good gear is expensive and something you don't really use all that often but thankfully if taken care of it lasts a long time, and its something you can slowly add to over time as your needs progress.

 

[Drachenfels]

“Even with the brakes fully locked it did not stop the truck from shooting forward about 25'. If I had got out of the truck sooner and had been standing in front of the truck looking things over the truck would have come right over the top of me.”

Damn. That’s called a ‘no shit, there I was’ story. Glad you can tell it!! That’s the kind of experience I want to hear about - without personally experiencing it. Many thanks!!

 

[guruman]

These days, I carry a (Matt's Offroad/Yankum) Kinetic rope, and a couple of Dyneema winch extensions.

The winch extensions take up less space than a tow strap would and they serve double duty. I can of course, use them to extend my winch line, but they could also be pressed into a tow situation as well.

I avoid yanking on any non-kinetic gear at all cost. I will use the winch instead.

I've also eliminated ALL metal from my tension equipment. The Factor 55 stuff looks awesome, but it's still a possible projectile, just prettier. Learn how to make your own soft shackles. I bought the Factor 55 fid:

https://www.amazon.com/Factor-55-00420-01-Fast-Splicing/dp/B07YFD3NQT/

and some winch line:

https://www.amazon.com/MarineNow-Single-Synthetic-UHMWPE-Choose/dp/B0B8BXYS2R

and made a bunch of soft shackles in various lengths. I found that I like ones that are about a 4 or 5 foot length, making a nice large loop for various rigging, and they can double as redirects or rock anchors etc.

I also found that I like having some with a loop spliced on both ends, which can be used as a choker or not, depending on the current need. these need to be on the longer side to get adequate "bury" of the free end into the core.

I keep the fid and enough winch extension on hand to make whatever is needed in the field. If I figure out that I need a longer shackle, or a shorter extension for the current situation, I can whip up a custom length of either in about 5 minutes tops.

If you want to get real fancy, you can add some braided heat shrink tubing to make your shackles more abrasion resistant ( and help keep dirt out of the fibers). Just remember to slip it on BEFORE making the loops.... they also make hydraulic hose protective covers that might be more durable, but I've not tried that yet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2WGR5JK

 

[HavanaJoe]

I've used tow straps extensively over the years - wondering if I should get modern, and go with a Kinetic Strap? Looking for personal pros/cons from folks w/ recent experience. Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm looking at 7/8" x 30' options, to leave in the vehicle for 'just in case'... Thinking Sandy Cats based on what I've read...

I went with Yankum. I want one pull & Free.