Recovery Gear - Buy a "kit" or make up your own?

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

On the hunt for some recovery gear.

Just wondering whether to make up my own or buy a mainstream kit from the likes of TJM, ARB, Black Rat or Bushranger?

Items I'd probably go for are:

• Snatch strap
  Snatch block
  Tree Trunk protector
  Winch extension strap
  Rated Bow shackles
  Cable Dampener

What do others like to do and what other gear would you include?

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

Very interesting question GM.

I went through the exact same process a few months ago. I ended up getting the following kit:

Ironman Complete Winching Recovery Kit.


From: http://www.4wddirect.com.au/scart/html/321.html

With more info on Ironman's website: http://www.ironmansuspension.com/

The reason I chose the Ironman kit was that it was all NATA tested so I trust that it's not crap, and it was very competitively priced.

I've used it a bunch of times in anger, everything from the tree protector and snatch block to the drag chain to pull a huge tree off the track. I'm very happy with the quality of the contents of this kit. And it's all in a very tough carry bag - it weighs a tonne! The snatch block is very well made, as good as any ARB or TJM, I've had a close look at the ARB and it's identical. It has a recessed grease nipple.

Camo purchased the same kit from the same seller at the same time, he have us bit of a token discount, but with free shipping, his prices are very competitive to start with. Listen to me, I deserve a commission. :lol:

Look at the contents of the kit and compare buying the individual items.

CONTENTS:
1 x 9 METRE SNATCH STRAP
1 x 20 METRE WINCH EXT. STRAP
1 x 3 METRE TREE TRUNK PROTECTOR
1 x RATED, GREASABLE SNATCH STRAP
1 x set RATED DRAG CHAINS with HOOKS
2 x 4.7T RATED BOW SHACKLES
1 x pair HEAVY DUTY GLOVES
1 x Handy, Waterproof CARRY BAG to keep all your recovery gear in 1 place.

While on the topic, this kit doesn't always travel in my vehicle when I'm commuting, it only gets packed for trips and off-roading. That said, I also have my trusty emergency kit I've had for years that lives under my passenger's seat. It contains a wide snatch strap that can be used as a tree trunk protector with my winch, and two D shackles. The reason I have this is there are some occasions when I drive home from work on the fire trails as a last minute thing, and it's always good to have something on board. It's also handy in case I come across someone bogged or in need of assistance (it has happened before). The emergency kit lives in a canvas bag under the seat.

This is what works for me, hope it helps you out.

Good luck,

Drew.

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

i got a kit from Anaconda, $49 for a snatch, gloves, 2 d shackles....


can't comment on if it's any good as it's still in the plastic wrapping thank god!

[120GXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 120GXV6]

It's important to make sure that whatever you get is properly rated and (as Drew mentioned) NATA certification is a good indication of this. Reputable stores normally sell some of the good stuff - and may have some of the rubbish as well!

There is a lot of poor quality gear out there that will most likely let you down when you most need them - it ain't much fun being stranded and having to call or go and get help!

Also need to make sure the gear suits the weight of your laden vehicle.

Something worth mentioning is that some items are rated differently. Generally snatch strapped are rated by BREAKING strain, whereas shackle ratings are SAFE WORKING LOAD (SWL) which is many times less than breaking strain.

You will generally get a better deal buying a kit than individual items.

If you can afford it, I recommend going with the new rope winch straps ( dynamica, etc) - I carry a 30 m one and it weighs less and takes up about the same space as a conventional 5 m strap. Other advantages are that it can go through a sheave and can be tied back together for repair - not to mention being used for a clothes line and various other things!

BTW - Drew, what is the "Greasable Snatch Strap" listed in your post?

Matthew

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Many years of off road driving and experience with lots of broken recovery gear, I can not go past Just Straps, http://www.juststraps.com.au/ IMHO they are the best (No affiliation)

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

First thing I did (on the way home from the caryard) was to buy a Just Straps Recovery Kit. And it's already been used once to drag my poorly driven butt out of the sand.

Snatch strap
Extension strap
Gloves and;
2 x rated bow shackles

It was real basic but would do until I got to know what was around and what else I needed. I'm finding that this is a game where a lot of money can be spent on stuff that is never used. That's why I use this forum to help make decisions on stuff that I know bugger all about. :?

Thanks guys.

Cheers
Chippy

[matty Member Find all posts View Profile Close matty]

I souced most of my bits from a supplier of lifting gear called Nobles, 4 Ton endless sling makes a superb tree protector and when doubled around the tree its rated at 8Ton, only $35, rated shackles were heaps cheaper then ARB or TJM, drag chains, they can just make them for you from off cuts of grade 8 lifting chain you just pay for the hook, snatch block was cheap too, other wise i just bought a ARB snatchy and a 20m extension strap. Leather Gloves get them from work for free. I think you pay a bit of extra cost to get that ARB or TJM on your gear

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

BTW - Drew, what is the "Greasable Snatch Strap" listed in your post?

Sounds a bit dirty doesn't it? :lol: :wink:

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Also need to make sure the gear suits the weight of your laden vehicle.

So is an 8000kg snatch strap going to be more appropriate for our kind of vehicles than an 11,000-12,000KG one?

Or does the higher rated one allow for more of a safety margin?

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

BTW - Drew, what is the "Greasable Snatch Strap" listed in your post?

Sounds a bit dirty doesn't it? :lol: :wink:

Um, yeah - it was a direct cut and paste job from the referenced website. Obviously they mean a greasable snatch block. :lol:

Drew.

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

i got a kit from Anaconda, $49 for a snatch, gloves, 2 d shackles....
can't comment on if it's any good as it's still in the plastic wrapping thank god!

Just a bit of a tip McBain, I'd suggest you don't wait until you need your recovery gear before you check it all out. Get it out of the plastic and sus it out, make sure it's all good, no missing stitching and stuff.

I always check my gear, I even go down the fire trail near my place and winch myself up a steep bit to see how all the stuff works. I didn't call my dog Murphy for no reason!

That's something else I forgot to mention, as Matty said, industrial or riggers suppliers are a good source of cheaper D-Shackles and stuff, they are all still rated and good quality, they just don't have that "4WD" price tag. Don't expect to find a snatch strap amongst their inventory though.

If you've got a winch, don't forget a winch extension.

Drew.

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

i got a kit from Anaconda, $49 for a snatch, gloves, 2 d shackles....
can't comment on if it's any good as it's still in the plastic wrapping thank god!

Just a bit of a tip McBain, I'd suggest you don't wait until you need your recovery gear before you check it all out. Get it out of the plastic and sus it out, make sure it's all good, no missing stitching and stuff.

I always check my gear, I even go down the fire trail near my place and winch myself up a steep bit to see how all the stuff works. I didn't call my dog Murphy for no reason!

That's something else I forgot to mention, as Matty said, industrial or riggers suppliers are a good source of cheaper D-Shackles and stuff, they are all still rated and good quality, they just don't have that "4WD" price tag. Don't expect to find a snatch strap amongst their inventory though.

If you've got a winch, don't forget a winch extension.

Drew.

oh i wholly agree with this... just been one of those "where's the time" scenarios of late! and complacency is a bad thing when you don't do all that much offroad and when do, often travel with a mate who has a similar set, so there's a backup!

[120GXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 120GXV6]

Also need to make sure the gear suits the weight of your laden vehicle.

So is an 8000kg snatch strap going to be more appropriate for our kind of vehicles than an 11,000-12,000KG one?

Or does the higher rated one allow for more of a safety margin?

Yes, obviously the higher rating allows a better safety margin, but the 8 000 kg is the most commonly used snatch strap and serves well for the majority of situations - I would just be wary about high energy snatching with it on a medium or large vehicle that is loaded to its GVM though. Have seen even the good brands break in this situation.

I think using a snatch strap should be a last resort, given the sort of things that can go wrong - or at least use it with a low speed pull so as not to stress anything too much.

I was a passenger in a bogged tour bus on Fraser Island in 1989, when two Range Rovers pulled up to give us a hand. Was quite funny to watch as they both took off with snatch straps attached - one broke, allowing that vehicle to continue while the other Rangie stopped dead in its tracks. The bus didn't move and eventually some shovel work and tourist power got us out.

Matthew

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

A bit of info I picked up recently that I found useful is how to wrap up a snatch strap.
Chuck the strap out so you end up with the middle of the strap in your hand. Start rolling from there.
Not only does it reduce the time for rewinding but it puts less stress on the stitching.
How? I here you say.
I'll try to explain.
If you start winding up your strap from one end (like I had done) the first bend (fold?) stretches the stitching at the end of the double or triple layered section where the loop is made.
Hope your still with me?
By starting from the middle the area near the end loops is relatively straight.
If you look at a strap rolled up from an end the strap is bent back on its self right where the stitching is.
And apparently this area is where a snatch strap will break if its going to.
I heard this and thought its not a bad practice to practice.
What do you reckon?

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Having searched to the ends of the earth for some recovery gear I'd be happy with, I figured I'd make up my own kit using equipment that I select myself.

For snatching, I went with Just Straps and went for a 10m 8,500Kg one, rather than the usual 8,000kg item.

Stuck with Just Straps for an equalizer strap and went for the 8000KG rated version.

Also went with 12000KG tree trunk protector and 10mm drag chain + some 4.7tonne shackles.

As you can see I like to give myself the best margins for safety and it really doesn't cost that much extra. Have chosen ARB's new snatch block (9-tonne rated) and am thinking dynamica rope instead of a winch extension strap.

Will use either an ARB or Michelles Sacs bag to keep it all in.