I had retyped something and lost the 1/2" grade 8 bolts - but if you want to use 1/4" go for it - I've seen more than a few people do that and worse.

 

If the strap broke, the chain would fall to the ground. The chain would have to break and still be attached to the strap to become a weapon - once again the reason why chains are an issue.

I have seen many straps break. The interesting thing is that not one of them did any damage. If the mounting point breaks or the attaching hardware, different story. But straps themselves are inherently very safe.

With either means of recovery, it's the dufus in the truck that generally causes the problem.

 

A guy I went to high school with was killed a few years ago exactly that way. The guy he was pulling had removed the pin from his draw bar & forgotten that the rust/mud was the only thing holding it in. My friend caught a 100-mph 2x2" square tube in the back of the skull.

Nothing broke, but if they had been using chain instead of rope, it wouldn't have gone anywhere.

 

I have seen the same thing Josiah had happen to him. when using a strap it broke and slung the the whole thing thru the back window. Chains do not always fall to the ground. That said i have pulled my fair shair of people out of a mess and i allways used chains untill i came across the rope i have now.

 

Steve83, Sorry to hear about the guy you knew. Standard practice, don't attach unless you know what you are attaching to.

 

I've pulled out cement trucks, construction equipment, & even armor, so I know to be careful. He obviously wasn't, and paid the ultimate price.

 

Steve83, I would wheel with you anytime! You know how to have fun and be safe - there's a lot of guys that have trouble doing both!

 

We have a 100lb chain; safe if used properly.