Towing straps are vital pieces of equipment, yet they are overlooked by the majority of drivers. We all know that the unexpected can happen at any time, a sudden change in weather, maybe just a wrong turn and you find yourself stuck on wet grass, deep sludgy mud, on a terrain where your vehicle can't operate. And when this happens, what can you do? Sit and wait for someone to come to rescue you? Hope you have a good signal on your cell phone to call for assistance?
The best solution is to carry a high-quality tow strap or even multiple straps so you're covered in all situations! For professional drivers, couriers, and construction and excavation specialists, we understand that time is money, and being stuck or stranded for any length of time isn't just frustrating, it's also expensive!
Equipping yourself with a Dawnerz recovery tow strap can assist you in getting back on track, minimising downtime, and allowing you peace of mind in any kind of environment.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT
MINIMUM BREAKING STRENGTH
It is almost impossible to accurately calculate the force used when carrying out a recovery. There are so many factors that affect the required force, some of which can double or triple the weight of the vehicle being towed. A vehicle stuck on wet grass will require minimal force, it’s just a loss of traction and there is no real resistance. It would be physically possible to manually push this vehicle, with enough people on hand to help!
But this same vehicle is stuck in deep mud, maybe tire deep, axle deep, or even the chassis could be slightly buried, the force required to free this vehicle could be 10 - 20 times greater than when it was stuck on grass, which adds a significant increase in tension on the strap.
Given the complexities of this, we recommend using a bit of common sense when calculating the required MBS. Focus on where you operate your vehicle, especially in the winter months.
If you will be mainly operating on flat ground, with reasonably firm terrain, then choosing a minimum break strength 2.0 - 2.5 times the vehicle's weight would be sufficient For more challenging terrains, deep mud, and snow, increase the margin to 3.0 - 3.5 times the vehicle weight. This additional margin can be the difference between a successful recovery, or the strap failing.
This is a guide to assist you in your decisions, but it's vital that you carefully assess each situation before attempting to tow or recover any vehicles. If the situation looks dangerous, always contact a professional recovery service to assist you. Your safety is the main priority!
WHAT IS THE BEST LENGTH
TOW STRAP?
There is no ‘best length’ option when choosing a tow strap, as each situation will vary, from terrain, severity of the recovery, environmental factors, and also the type of equipment you have on hand to perform the recovery.
You need to consider where you operate your vehicle daily. If you’re on a site where you are in tight spaces, maybe have limited room to manoeuvre, then the shorter 6 m tow strap would prove beneficial.
If you’re frequently off-road, maybe operating vehicles in forests, or woodland, where it could be difficult to get a recovery vehicle close enough to you, then having that additional length can make all the difference so an 8-10 m tow strap would be the winner!
Many people choose to keep both the 6 m and 8-10 m straps with them, making sure they have the best possible chance for a successful recovery, regardless of where they are, and also can help others when needed.
REINFORCED EYES - SAFETY
IS PARAMOUNT
We strongly advise against using any type of towing / recovery strap that has metal hooks sewn into the webbing or ropes spliced ends. These types of straps pose a significant safety risk! The hook can easily detach itself from the connection point, and if this happens whilst the strap is under tension, you will have a metal hook that becomes a lethal projectile!
Our tow straps are manufactured with reinforced eyes, also known as loops or loop ends. This design allows the straps to be connected to shackles, both steel and soft, where the users can ensure they use correctly rated products. This type of strap ensures a completely safe and secure connection to designated towing points on heavy duty vehicles.
