I have a problem with raising the bonnet for a snatch recovery. I want to be able to see where I am going. A whole vehicle is a far more potent weapon than a snatch strap or a shackle.
Personally my preferred safety measure in a snatch recovery is a lanyard on each end ( for those that don't know, this is a shortish strap tied to the end of the snatch rope, the other end of the strap is attached to a second (or third) recovery point on the vehicle).
In my opininion, as long as the speed is kept reasonable, a lanyard should be able to prevent almost 100% of accidents, but if anyone knows this assumption to be incorrect I would be glad to hear the reason.
The only one I can think of is if the rope/strap breaks in the middle, but at least there would be no metal bits flying about. Having said that, i have seen a strap knock a dent in a Patrol's rear door (Michael's, while towing Dirk in Botswana).
Fatal tow-ball recovery failure
- Peter Connan
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Re: Fatal tow-ball recovery failure
I have a very decent pull strap that's helped a few stuck folk become unstuck in its life, but I do not own a snatch strap for all the reasons mentioned before.
If someone is so badly stuck that they require a snatch recovery (and by that I mean they've progressed through tow strap, tow strap & digging, and finally winching after digging a LOT more), I tend to just walk away.
Yes I'm a sissy, but I was there that day when an innocent bystander's knee got wrecked for life at a Rust de Winter Jamboree due to an over-eager recovery. And lots of blood, broken bones, etc. tend to stay with you much longer than all the perfect snatch recoveries.
If someone is so badly stuck that they require a snatch recovery (and by that I mean they've progressed through tow strap, tow strap & digging, and finally winching after digging a LOT more), I tend to just walk away.
Yes I'm a sissy, but I was there that day when an innocent bystander's knee got wrecked for life at a Rust de Winter Jamboree due to an over-eager recovery. And lots of blood, broken bones, etc. tend to stay with you much longer than all the perfect snatch recoveries.
- Peter Connan
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Re: Fatal tow-ball recovery failure
One other thing I want to add:
Watching the professionals (Matt and Casey), they tend to do lots of fairly mild yanks, rather than trying to get the job done with one almighty one.
I suspect, if your rope can handle that, it is a very good policy.
But it is my understanding that this is not the correct approach with a strap (as opposed to a rope) as the straps need time to "recover" after stretching.
I am not sure whether this is true or false though? Anybody know (and know why they should be different)?
Watching the professionals (Matt and Casey), they tend to do lots of fairly mild yanks, rather than trying to get the job done with one almighty one.
I suspect, if your rope can handle that, it is a very good policy.
But it is my understanding that this is not the correct approach with a strap (as opposed to a rope) as the straps need time to "recover" after stretching.
I am not sure whether this is true or false though? Anybody know (and know why they should be different)?
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
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Re: Fatal tow-ball recovery failure
Yea Peter, remember this topic being discussed ad nauseum on Community4x4 a few years ago. See Ronny's vid near the end.
I normally try one easy pull first with the snatch. Don't think it's an exact science.
I normally try one easy pull first with the snatch. Don't think it's an exact science.
Nissan Patrol, GRX, 4.8 (GU Y61)
- JohnBoyZA
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Re: Fatal tow-ball recovery failure
Came across this pic to explain the setting I was talking about. Actually only needed a light pull/snatch...
Nissan Patrol, GRX, 4.8 (GU Y61)
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