The purpose of vehicle tie-down straps is to recover vehicles from situations where they’re stuck. Vehicle tie-down straps have loops on either end for towing and recovery operations. It’s important to understand the different types of tie-down straps and their applications to know how to secure vehicles and minimize the risk of automobile damage during towing operations. An unsecured or damaged tie-down can impact the safe recovery of a vehicle and cargo transportation.
The primary differences between tie-down straps are the material and the ability to stretch. The most common materials used to manufacture vehicle tie-downs are polyester webbing and nylon webbing. The type of material required for a towing operation depends on the type of recovery and towing applications. Explore the different types of vehicle tie-down straps and their applications to learn the differences between recovery straps, tow straps, and various types of vehicle tie-downs.
Types of Vehicle Tie-Downs
Axle Straps
Axle straps go around a vehicle’s axle and secure it to the trailers of flatbeds. The secured point keeps the vehicle from moving or becoming unsecured. Axle straps use industrial-grade polyester webbing.
Lasso Straps
Lasso straps are a universal vehicle tie-down strap for car haulers. Lasso straps thread around the tire of a vehicle and secure with a ratchet or winch. Lasso straps are ideal for situations where there is low clearance.
Tree Saver Straps
Tree saver straps rescue vehicles from stuck positions and protect the winch cables. A tree saver strap wraps around the tree or other anchor points and locks with your winch hook into the eyes of the strap. Tree saver straps have durable 3-inch nylon webbing to secure and pull vehicles.
1-Ply Recovery Straps
1-ply recovery straps pull vehicles out of confined spaces and are versatile tie-down straps for a wide range of towing situations. 1-ply recovery straps have a single layer made of industrial-grade nylon material. 1-ply recovery straps are one of the best recovery ropes to tow a vehicle from road debris.
2-Ply Recovery Straps
2-ply recovery straps are stronger than 1-ply recovery straps and are also versatile in their wide range of applications for towing operations. 2-ply recovery straps have two layers made of high-quality industrial nylon material. 2-ply recovery straps are one of the best kinds of recovery rope to tow a vehicle from situations involving water, snow, mud, or other types of road debris.
Tow Ratchet Straps With RTJ Cluster Hooks
Tow ratchet straps with RTJ cluster hooks have extreme durability for towing cars and other heavy vehicles. Tow ratchet straps with RTJ cluster hooks have polyester webbing material and minimal stretch for optimal security for hauling cargo. The RTJ cluster hooks provide a broad range of security options for using a tie-down strap on a vehicle. The RTJ cluster hooks give you the option to securely tie down the following:
- R Hook: Ford vehicles
- T Hook: GM (General Motors) and Chrysler vehicles
- J Hook: Foreign vehicles (parts made and assembled in another country).
How To Use Vehicle Tie-Downs
Attach the Strap
Attach the strap to the rear of the towing vehicle to ensure structural support throughout the towing operation.
Secure the Strap
Locate the mount to place the hook of the tie-down strap to secure the strap to the vehicle. Refer to the owner manual if necessary to locate the mount.
Straighten the Strap
Straighten the strap to its full extent after securing both hooks on either end. The driver of each vehicle can get behind the wheel, and the recovery vehicle can begin slow acceleration.
Accelerate the Vehicle
Place the recovery vehicle in gear and gradually accelerate the vehicle by applying gas and steering the vehicle outward. The recovery vehicle can continue at a slow speed to reach the next destination.
Additional Tie-Down Strap Tips
Inspect Towing Straps
Always inspect towing and recovery straps for damage before using them in a towing operation. Conduct routine inspections of your tie-down strap during the towing process to ensure it’s secured.
Wrap the Towing Strap
When using a tow strap, be sure to wrap it around a secured frame point. Weave the towing strap or snatch strap through the opening of the other end of the frame point to secure, or “choke,” the frame.
Attach Hardware to Vehicle
When using a tow strap for recovering a vehicle, always securely attach the necessary hardware to the recovery vehicle. A helpful solution is using anchor shackles as hardware for attaching to recovery vehicles.
Remove Debris From the Straps
Inspect the material of your towing and recovering straps to remove dirt, debris, or grime that may cut or damage the tie-down process. Be sure to routinely check for dirt or debris buildup while a recovery vehicle is in transit.
Measure Recovery Vehicle Weight
It’s important to measure the weight of a recovery vehicle before using a recovery strap during a towing operation. When using a recovery strap, it’s helpful to measure the recovery vehicle weight to ensure it is half the break strength of the recovery strap.
Choose a Stretchy Tie-Down Strap
When choosing a heavy-duty nylon recovery and tow strap, it’s important to choose one that has both durability and elasticity. It’s essential for a tie-down strap to stretch so that the memory of the nylon webbing material can effectively tow a vehicle out with minimal shock from the initial pull. Understanding towing and recovery strap strength is essential to getting the best results out of your tie-down straps.
Recovery straps and tow straps are critical pieces of equipment whether you’re in the towing business or need a heavy tow strap or off-road recovery strap for recreational use. Driving a tow truck means investing in the right tow truck accessories for your day-to-day operations. The best route to finding these accessories is through a tow truck supply company like Manufacturer Express. Explore our towing supplies on our website or give our team a call to request information today.
