Tow straps and trailor hitches

I went to autozone the other day to get a cleaner kit for my k&n air filter and came across a retractable tow strap. It got me thinkin about getting one and a trailor hitch also, cant put my finger on it but I get the feeling im going to be asked to tow a trailor soon. With that said, are there any good tow straps worth writing home about? Would the retractable one I saw be worth the $20-$30 it was goin for? Not that I plan on getting stuck anytime soon

never seen any of the retractable ones; I've got a couple of the 20' straps I can't recall the name of, iirc I got them at atwoods; but I've got a lot of 3/8" & 7/16" gr 8 chains I've used for years that work well too.

as for a hitch; do you have an actual frame mount or just a bumper mount; either way make sure when you buy a hitch or ball to get one over rated for what you're going to be towing; most 3/4" shank 2" balls are 6k lbs rated but some aren't so check; if you're going to tow heavier get the 1" shank; course some older trailers are 1 7/8" ball and the heavy duty ones use a 2 5/16" ball so again check what size you need.

LAR has a Class III hitch on his truck.
I'd put a hitch that puts the ball at 15" to center off the ground. That means a 2" to 4" drop hitch will work fine from what I saw of your truck.
Also, get 5000 lb 2" ball with a 1" shank, not a 3/4" shank.
For a recovery strap, DO NOT GET a retractable. You saw the one I have. It's 20,000 lb strap that has been used to pull a lot of things out of holes over the years.
The one time I got spooky about it was using it to pull my tractor out of the mud. It stretched out to much and even the dozer operator got wary.
We ended up using a chain.
Chains are better in some incidents (they don't stretch) than a strap but straps are much easier to use and safer for vehicle recovery.
You just need a couple of clevis hooks like we used for the straps. I've used a busted strap on 4WD vehicle recovery in the Rockies. We've tied it around the bumper and pulled the vehicle out.
A short chain and a longer recovery strap are the way to go. I'd get a medium length - 30' strap - and be done with it. You'll have it for years as little as you'll use.
Holler at me and I'll go with you to get one and/or show you what you need for a trailer hitch.

You hopefully don't need any tow straps (recovery straps) if you're pulling a trailer. What type trailer do you think you're pulling soon and how much does it weigh (empty and loaded)? Just curious.

He needs a trailer hitch strong enough to pull his ass out of a mud hole.
I can tell you that first hand.

Shut up you!

I do remember that thread.

he must have grown up in town driving a small econo car cause he surely don't know how to drive a truck

OK, Not another word.
I'll just put up a picture.

he's a mud puppy

(one of these days he'll learn to drive and be a devil dog again)

If I had an LAV 25, I wouldn't have gotten in that mess but then again, I wouldn't have had it on the road

dude, I can drive anything with wheels on it (tires make it easier though)

Idk, those Detroit Diesels has goofy gears to them. 1st, 2nd, 2-4 low, 4-8 high if I'm not mistaking. But its been a while since I rode in a pig and I haven't been in a drivers hole, let alone the scout compartment, in years now.

dude try driving it next time not pushing it

I have used Snatch Straps for years. The 2" 20,000 lb ones work well. Get one with the sewn ends and loop them around the trailer balls. The clevis can become a missile if it comes un hooked from either vehicle and can come right through the rear window. Any pull vehicle over 8,000 lbs needs a 3". The straps don't tear off bumpers with as much regularity as a chain does.

I don't mean just any clevis hook. I use the ones with screw-in pins.

Ive seen your clevis hook dan, I haven't heard it called that but when I was on active duty we called them shackles. Same thing, different name.

peeking at the truck stop are you

What happens at the mud hole, should stay at the mud hole.

You've been hanging around PC again obviously!



That means when you woke up face down in the mud with a rubber hanging out of your ass that you never told anyone.

Goddamning Dan roofied seansworth

Only way you'll know for sure is if you try to see if a fire hydrant will fit him.

Merry Christmas to you all too.

Merry Christmas to you too!

ETA: I figured one day I would hit that smiley and it would send me to page two with no indication as to what Im laughing at

Only PC and Nden can tell if it was about something at the truck stop!

My BIL works in the oil fled and they get their snatch ropes from theultimatetow&recoveryropes dot com.

I don't know why I called it a clevis hook.
You're right, it's a shackle.
I guess it's cuz I suffer from CRS - can't remember shackles.

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