This may sound like a dumb question, but bear with me.

I recently picked up a 20' recovery strap just to have on hand. It's one that's just fabric--no chains or hooks. My question is about hooking it up. I assume it's like a yoyo where you run the loop around the frame of one vehicle, feed the strap through it, and pull it tight. How do you connect the other end? Our tow hooks are closed all the way around, correct? Do I need a D-ring adapter/shackle and use in the hitch instead? What am I missing?

 

From everything I have been read on this site, you will need a d-ring.

 

Yup you need a clevis. Take one end and stick in into your hook. They run the strap through itself. So now you have one end secured, and only wasted a couple inches of the strap. Now put a clevis on the other truck like this

remove the pin and then run the strap through and pin her up...

This is how I have always done it. I am sure that there is some way that may work better but this works. One this also, if you don't have a clevis you can tie a knot in the strap. Many will disagree with this but as long as it is a recovery strap it will not tighten up. You can always get it out, should say I have never had a problem every...

Hope this helps,
Ryan

 

Thanks guys! That's what I thought but wanted to be sure. Now just gotta find one. Wal-Mart and Advance Autoparts was a no-go.

 

Try Tractor Supply or any feed and seed store.

 

Yeah they are the cheapest I found...

Ryan

 

Good deal. I'm going to check Lowe's when I get off work since they will be open. If they don't have it I'll check our Tractor Supply.


Appreciate it, fellas!

 

Man I'm starting to think we need a sticky on this topic, but it probably still won't stop the posts.


Anyhow, you'll want to get 2 D-rings so you can try and avoid choking the strap. When you choke it and pull it tight it can pull so tight you can't get it loose. I've had them choke so tight that I had to cut the strap off. You will also want to avoid choking around the frame as there are alot of sharp edges there that will cut the strap as soon as its pulled tight.

 

Your going to need at least 3/4" rings and I checked at Lowes one time and they dont have that size just to give you heads up.

Well at least mine didn't.

 

Sorry. I only found one other thread when I searched but needed a little clarification. Thanks for the tip about choking the strap.


Thanks for the heads up Hash--it will save me a drive. I'll just hit up Tractor Supply tomorrow.

 

i got my hitch mounted d-ring from Pep boys.


they should also have the clevis there too.

if you get one like min you can take the d-link off and use it as the clevis. it will work for that.

 

Harbor Freight and Nortern Tool have them as well.

 

I got my 3/4" 6.5 ton clevis from Northern Tool, about $11. My 30' 15k strap came from there, but now I know I need a ****** strap, not a tow strap like I already have.

EDIT: Also, the D-ring pictured in orange is also available but did not look as strong to me because it was a simple pin design and if the load between the two vehicles shifted and misaligned there might be a possibility for the small cotter pin holding it in to bend/break and let the large pin come loose. I choose mine because the large pin is threaded like the one on the hitch that 4.2trimble posted. I know it is a huge what-if or a possibility, but I just want to be sure to be safe.

 

When "choking" the strap, find a scrap piece of cardboard, couple sheets of paper or something similiar -- If you put something inbetween the loop thats being choked, it will keep the strap from binding on itself, and will come off much easier.

 

Another way to attach it to the "pulling" vehicle in a pinch is to use the hitch pin to hold the strap. It is not as preferred at the clevis, but it can get the job done in a pinch.