Choosing the Best Recovery Strap (and How to Use It)

What is a Recovery Strap?

Any off-roading enthusiast is familiar with getting stuck in a tricky situation now and then. Recovery straps, sometimes called kinetic rope, are elastic straps that aid in pulling your vehicle out of any obstacle. These straps will typically feature reinforced closed-loop ends that can be wrapped around a tree trunk and used in your recovery rigging. In addition to a recovery strap, most off-roaders will have a winch, snatch block, tow straps, and shackles on hand.

Recovery Straps vs Tow Straps

The main difference between these two straps is that a recovery strap or snatch strap is made from elastic nylon material, giving it a rubber band-like effect during recovery, while a towing strap has little to no elasticity and is intended for towing a vehicle for a long distance across a flat surface. The elasticity of the recovery strap will offer much more kinetic energy when recovering a vehicle from a sticky situation. Since you don’t have to account for any slack like you would with a tow strap, the towing vehicle will be able to gain much more momentum and traction.

What Strap is Best for Your Needs?

When choosing the right strap, there are few things to make sure to look for:

• A tow rating (break strength)

• Nylon material

• Hook-free

How to Use a Recovery Strap:

1. First, locate the tow hooks (if so equipped) on the stuck vehicle. If there are no tow hooks, find a secure spot on the frame to attach the strap..

2. Hook the recovery strap to the tow hook or frame.

3. Grab the other end of the recovery strap and feed it through the loop that you have threaded through, pulling the end tight. 

   1. Note: NEVER attach a recovery strap to the vehicle's bumper, axle or steering rods.

   2. NEVER attach a strap of any kind to your truck’s hitch or hitch ball. This is by far one of the most dangerous mistakes you can make during vehicle recovery.

4. Once attached to the stuck vehicle, connect the other end of the strap to the towing vehicle. To do so, use a D-ring and attach the semi-circle section around the tow hook of the towing vehicle. 

5. Lastly, loop the other end of the recovery strap through the D-ring and secure it with the pin. 

6. Now that the straps are attached, the recovery vehicle can start slowly pulling the stranded vehicle out to safety.