Sad and Tragic Recovery Accident in AZ.

[fidowanttobe]

How do you suggest attaching the loop end of a strap to the vehicles without a "hook"?

 

[dodge man]

How do you suggest attaching the loop end of a strap to the vehicles without a "hook"?

My tow strap has a loop on each end. Say the vehicle I’m pulling out has a tow hook. I pass one end through the loop and tow hook and pull it all the way through itself. Then hook it to the ball inserted into my trailer hitch.

 

[S854]

…then hook it to the ball inserted into my trailer hitch.

You may want to reconsider your method of attachment… the video in the OP shows many preferred ways of attaching to a tow vehicle… video above shows what could happen if attaching to a tow ball…

 

[dodge man]

Yes I know, I actually watched the video. I use a solid draw bar, not a hollow one and very heavy 2 5/16” ball, but still not the best. It’s probably been 10 years I pulled someone out of the mud and they weren’t stuck very bad.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Along this line also......for many years I've tried to tell dump truck/trailer drivers to not have all kinds of lose, heavy stuff all over in their cabs, when you are operating a truck that has a risk off rollover.
Guys that kept 25 ton jacks, big hammers, pry bars......all lose sitting in their cab.
Good way to get killed in an accident or rollover.

It was common in our company to carry a 20' 5/8s chain in the cab. I didn't like that at all. When they started stocking heavy duty 6" straps the chain went bye-bye. Getting stuck with a dump truck is about as common as getting stuck off-road, probably even more so.

 

[square1]

How do you suggest attaching the loop end of a strap to the vehicles without a "hook"?

Pull the hitch / shank out of the vehicle, push the strap loop inside the receiver tube and use the hitch retainer pin through the strap loop.

Never hook a strap over the ball as a rule

 

[wsc9tt]

Pull the hitch / shank out of the vehicle, push the strap loop inside the receiver tube and use the hitch retainer pin through the strap loop.

Never hook a strap over the ball as a rule

The video that started this thread was actually very good. The last point in the video was addressing why using the hitch pin in this fashion is a bad idea. The pins are designed for very high shear strength, but you are using it for bending strength and it will fail. Yes, this is safer than the trailer ball, but not strong enough for that recovery.

To all the people in this thread that say, "I wonder if xxx would be strong enough". If a part doesn't have a breaking strength stamped on the side, then it isn't strong enough.

 

[sea2summit]

Here's a pic of connecting two looped ropes/straps without iron.

View attachment 785174

I don't recommend doing that when you're going to put a real load on it, they tie a nice tight square knot that usually takes a knife to get loose. If you bundle a jacket or chunk of wood inbetween the loops you keep them from binding...most of the time

 

[thclimer]

How do you suggest attaching the loop end of a strap to the vehicles without a "hook"?

You use what is called a soft shackle:

The soft shackle can be placed around many different frame shapes under the vehicle, its a pretty clever idea.

This Youtube channel channel uses them almost all the time:

https://www.youtube.com/@MattsOffRoadRecovery/featured

 

[Rbertalotto]

"but I have always felt safer with chains."........You're kidding...Right?