Safe vs. UnSafe Extractions

[Gordinho80]

Figured it would be beneficial to some members, if we illustrated the difference between Safe and UnSafe extractions, with some examples...

UNSAFE:
1:20 into video. The recovering vehicle is using a static strap (tow strap) to do a dynamic (snatch) extraction.


SAFE:
A dynamic strap is used with strap dampeners.

[bartonmd]

Thanks, Mario!

Both very good examples of what to do, and what not to do!

The guy with the camera in the first vid (as well as the drivers of both vehicles) are very lucky they didn't catch a detached 3#, 100mph tow hook in the head!

There are several good vids on youtube of tow hooks breaking off from using static straps, and going through windows...

Mike

[Trail X]

Nice visual comparison there Mario.

I thought this was a good video about the precautions when using a snatch strap.

[bgwolfpack]

Thank you Gentleman.

Magazine trick is very smart.

[rgraboske]

This one is painful to watch. Definitely how to not do it

This one might be too big to embed. Here's the link instead:

[HARDTRAILZ]

This one is painful to watch. Definitely how to not do it

This one might be too big to embed. Here's the link instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJA3J--g_yI&feature=fvw

I think JD or Roadie posted this somewhere around...Got to love the dumbass got what he deserved for even letting someone hook up like that. There is times a 500 dollar extraction is warranted.

[Trail X]

This is another one I posted before... but it's worth the double post...

[bartonmd]

This appears to be the same group in the same place as above, that ripped the axle out from under the Cherokee...

Mike

[Trail X]

Both of the situations would have been greatly improved by using a passive recovery technique. Although not as sexy, they do work.

A brain would have also helped.

[rgraboske]

Both of the situations would have been greatly improved by using a passive recovery technique. Although not as sexy, they do work.

A brain would have also helped.

The common thread of all of the unsafe extractions on youtube seems to be a group of gusy atanding around laughing.

One of the more important things my Dad taught me from an early age was to respect a strap under tension. Yikes

[muddy tires]

Searched, but didn't see an answer. What is the safest way to attach a dynamic recovery strap to a vehicle? I assume that slipping the loop over a rear recovery hook on the rescuing vehicle and a front recovery hook on the stuck vehicle would be choice # 1. What if the stuck vehicle has no recovery hooks or has tow loops instead? (I've come across situations where cars have been stuck in the snow or non-off roaders have got tangled up in some soft ground and need a little help to get out.) Would a clevis or shackle be the best way to attach to a closed tow loop? Would you use the same clevis to attach to the frame on a hookless vehicle?

[bartonmd]

Ideal is a shackle mount... Tow hooks are second...

If the tow hook is a loop, pull the strap through, then put one end through the other end, so the one end of the strap works like a noose on the tow loop, and the other end is free to hook to the other vehicle...

Mike

[irishboy02]

Ideal is a shackle mount... Tow hooks are second...

If the tow hook is a loop, pull the strap through, then put one end through the other end, so the one end of the strap works like a noose on the tow loop, and the other end is free to hook to the other vehicle...

Mike

[Trail X]

Searched, but didn't see an answer. What is the safest way to attach a dynamic recovery strap to a vehicle? I assume that slipping the loop over a rear recovery hook on the rescuing vehicle and a front recovery hook on the stuck vehicle would be choice # 1. What if the stuck vehicle has no recovery hooks or has tow loops instead? (I've come across situations where cars have been stuck in the snow or non-off roaders have got tangled up in some soft ground and need a little help to get out.) Would a clevis or shackle be the best way to attach to a closed tow loop? Would you use the same clevis to attach to the frame on a hookless vehicle?

I don't like hooks much, mainly because if the strap slackens, the strap can slip off or misplace itself on the hook. Try to always use hooks inline with the hook... don't pull from the side, as the strap can easily slip off a hook from an off-direction.

As Mike said, shackles are the preferred method, and considered a "closed system"

For vehicles without recovery arrangements, most have wreck recovery hooks. They are not made for heavy dynamic recovery, but can handle light pulls. If someone is stuck on the side of the road and cannot be unstuck with a light pull, leave it to a tow truck.

[bartonmd]

After a friend successfully wore halfway through one of my tow (not recovery) straps by wrapping it around the frame of his 2WD truck for a flat tow home, I now carry a 3' section of chain with hooks on both ends... Chain goes around the frame and latches to itself, and through the end of the strap... Instant tow/extraction point

Mike

[bobbyblaze]

I just did a mild static extraction two weeks ago in Wharton State forest in Jurzee. I was goofing around with the camera while he dug out his tow hook. Soooo important to bring a shovel to an offroad party.
I was aired down to 25lbs and went over the muddy rut no problem. He was at full pressure.

I realized after watching the vid, I should have wrapped a shirt or something around the strap in the middle.
Did I miss anything else ?

[Trail X]

Without seeing the attachment points... it looked good. How come you didn't perform a dynamic pull? Was it a static line? Didn't look like it.

[bobbyblaze]

Sorry James, It was a dynamic recovery with a static strap. I don't have any dynamic straps. I was moving my truck slowly foward to take up slack. You see it tighten and losen for a sec. Then I tightened and gave the signal to go.

My rear receiver D-shackle to his factory tow hook on the right side of his truck.

[HARDTRAILZ]

You did the biggest thing in safe recovery...You THOUGHT about. You used your heads and formed a plan and everyone knew what to expect. You took the time to dig out the hook instead of trying to jam it on the hook half-ass and hope it holds. You had an arranged signal and a plan.

I would say overall. Well Done. Each time you hook to another vehicle is a learning experience. Now you know to throw something over the strap, but at least you gave it some thought and effort and made a safe pull.

[Trail X]

Sorry James, It was a dynamic recovery with a static strap. I don't have any dynamic straps. I was moving my truck slowly foward to take up slack. You see it tighten and losen for a sec. Then I tightened and gave the signal to go.

My rear receiver D-shackle to his factory tow hook on the right side of his truck.

Well, your recovery was technically a static recovery.

A vehicle-vehicle recovery can be performed dynamically by having speed going into the extraction... or statically by doing exactly what you did (slowly letting the strap get taught and then proceeding forward with engine power).

Dynamic recoveries are especially helpful where you have poor traction - snow/ice/sand/mud - because the dynamic method can generate forces beyond that of your tire traction.

Dynamic straps are handy because they can be used in both static and dynamic vehicle-vehicle recovery, where a static strap can only be used in static recovery.