9+ Best Recovery Strap / Tow 2021 | Unrivaled Guide & Products Overview

Are you looking for a tow strap for your car or off-road vehicle? in this guide, we will go to see which are the best you can find on the market.

A tow strap is a device designed to tow a stranded or bogged down car off the road. The materials used to make these belts are designed to provide the right elasticity to cushion any blows during the towing operation, this aspect is also essential when pulling out a blocked vehicle.

Hooks or shackles can be supplied to be fixed to the frame or to specific points of the vehicle.

Best Recovery Strap

A tow rope is an almost essential item because you never know when it might come in handy or when you might run into a friend who needs to be pulled out of a ditch. Whether you are traveling on dangerous roads or using off-road vehicles such as snowmobiles and jet skis, a tow rope can get you out of all sorts of trouble. In this article, we take a look at some of the uses of tow ropes and what you need to look out for before buying one yourself.

Tow straps and recovery straps

While tow straps and recovery straps are often grouped together, there are key differences. Towing straps (you can find great ones here) are specially made for towing a free-moving vehicle. You will notice that the best tow straps generally have hooks or triggers at the ends, which make it easier to hook into whatever vehicle you are towing.

The straps themselves don’t stretch, which is why retrieving isn’t something they should be used for. Using them for recovery can be dangerous as they are more likely to break.

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Best Recovery Strap | Comparison Table 2021

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How to Pick The Best Recovery Strap in 2021 | Unrivaled Guide

Types of straps

Tow straps

Although it is thought that tow straps and recovery straps are the same things, it is good to know that there are substantial differences between the two. Towing straps are specially designed and manufactured for towing a free-moving vehicle. This type is often sold with hooks or shackles to be mounted at the ends, which makes the anchoring operation easier. These belts have a very low elasticity, a feature that makes them ideal for towing freewheel vehicles, using them to recover stuck cars could be dangerous as they are more likely to break.

Recovery straps

The materials used for the recovery straps (also known as hook and loop straps) give them the ability to stretch when pulling a heavy load. This elasticity is critical when pulling out a stuck vehicle. Usually, these straps are not equipped with hooks or shackles because to use them it is sufficient to hook the loop ends. They are widely used in the off-road sector and are an excellent accessory to use with an electric winch for recovery operations.

Features to be evaluated

 

Material

The materials used for the recovery straps (sometimes referred to as hook and loop straps) – you can find very good ones here – give them the ability to stretch when pulling a heavy load. This elasticity is critical when pulling out a stuck vehicle. Most obviously, these straps do not come with hooks or chains, nor should they be used with any. The rings at both ends must be attached to a frame or reset points to tow a vehicle safely. The lack of metal pieces also makes the straps much safer in case they break or slip off.

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Are the tow straps safe?

When towing a vehicle or machinery, care must be taken regardless of the type of towing device used. To ensure that your towing practices are as safe as possible, make sure you only use a towing device that has the correct strength and length to tackle the machinery you want to move.

Other safety features to consider are the attachments that connect with the object you want to move, that is, does it have attachment straps, and are they strong enough for the job? Tow belts are sometimes mistaken for recovery belts, so make sure you know what you need before purchasing and get advice if you are buying the right product for the shape and size of the machinery you intend to tow.

Non-elastic tow ropes

This type of rope is made from a special material. The non-elastic tow rope is extremely strong and durable. This type of tow rope has no elasticity and does not stretch at all. The no-stretch tow rope is ideal for water sports. The rope has an extremely low moisture absorption quality, which makes it ideal for water and snow. These ropes are 10 times stronger than steel and super light.

The low-stretch tow rope is usually made of nylon, polyester, or polyethylene. This type of rope has an elasticity of 2 to 3 percent and is useful for beginners who practice free time. Also, for towing boats and cars, the low-stretch rope works well as the rope helps absorb shock when towing.

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This type of rope is also waterproof. Again, when the three materials are compared, nylon has higher breaking strength, while polyethylene is constructed from natural UV resistant materials and offers better durability.

Characteristics to be evaluated in a towing or recovery belt

The tow rope is available in different shapes and sizes. It depends on the type of rope you need for your application. Due to the numerous choices, buyers often get confused and end up buying the wrong item. However, if you consider some important factors when purchasing the rope, you will be able to choose the best tow rope that fits your needs perfectly:

 

Elasticity

If you are looking to buy a tow strap, one of the most important qualities is elasticity. Vehicle recovery straps are made to stretch before returning to normal length while pulling out a stuck vehicle. Weight rating and overall belt length are important factors to be aware of before actually towing anything.

 

 

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Weight range

Any tow strap you purchase will have a maximum weight limit and is usually one of the first pieces of information you can find. It is important to know the difference between maximum weight and vehicle weight ratings. The maximum weight rating is not the weight of something the belt should pull regularly, which is why a vehicle rating (how heavy the free-moving vehicle is) should be used to assess capacity.

When purchasing a tow rope for vehicles or a recreational tow rope, the capacity of the rope is, therefore, a factor to consider. The capacity of the recovery belt is also called breaking capacity, which is measured in kg. You must first know the weight of your vehicle or boat for which you will be using the tow rope and choose a strap that has a greater capacity than that.

Connectors

As mentioned above, whether you have a tow strap or a recovery strap will determine what is attached to either end. If you are using a tow strap, make sure the hooks or D-rings are made of reliable and sturdy material. If you have a recovery strap, making sure the loops are connected somewhere so they don’t slip off should be your goal.

 

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Coating

Nowadays most of the tow rope is designed to be waterproof so that it does not absorb water when used in wet areas. Most of the high-quality tow ropes are also weather and UV resistant, so they last longer and won’t rot easily.

Although some ropes are already made from premium materials that are naturally characterized by these qualities, you can also find many tow ropes that are specially coated with a UV-resistant adhesive. This coating not only improves the strength and durability of the rope material but also prevents it from tangling. It is highly recommended that you purchase an anti-UV or weatherproof tow rope if you want the tow rope to last for a long time.

Hook and handle

A tow rope with a good hook is much better if you need a vehicle recovery strap if you don’t want to add any extra expense to purchase an additional hook for the tow rope. Make sure the hook is large enough. While you may have the best gloves for a tow rope, with certain water sports it won’t be easy to grip if the rope handle isn’t the exact size. Choose the diameter of the handle according to the size of your hand.

 

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Space and length

If you have limited space in your vehicle, practical accessories like bags and cases are probably a good option. Length is not an issue if you are purchasing a tow rope for vehicles. However, if you need a recreational tow rope, you need to choose the right length.

At first, you might think that buying a tow rope is as simple as choosing the length and hooking it up. But after looking at so many different types of tow rope designs you can be totally confused. However, once you are familiar with the differences and your needs, you can easily choose the right one.

Helpful tips

• Make sure you know where to attach the straps. Recovery straps need to be wrapped around restore points or frame pieces, while tow straps are usually used with vehicle tow hooks often found on pickups and SUVs.
• There is a difference between the weight of the breaking point and how heavy the object you are pulling should be. Most people say half the breaking point is safe operating weight, but always refer to user guides and company recommendations.
• When towing another vehicle, always make sure it is in neutral so as not to interrupt the transmission.
• Always be careful to stop briefly when towing another vehicle, as you don’t want it to hit the back of yours.
• Be aware of local traffic laws – don’t get in trouble for towing with a strap if it’s not allowed in your area.

Best Recovery Strap / Tow 2021 | Video Explanation

Recovery Strap| Infographics

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Recovery Straps
How long is the strap?

Depending on the recovery operation, the required length of the recovery strap does not change much. Longer straps increase traction during recovery. But on narrow roads, it’s difficult to find and pull a straight space. In such cases, a short strap will help.

Therefore, a strap that is 20 to 30 feet long is acceptable for both situations. If possible, it’s a good idea to have one 20-foot strap and one 30-foot strap. If not, choose a 30-foot strap with adjustable length.

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What is the best material for a recovery strap?

Nylon is the best material for the recovery strap. Many recovery straps are made of nylon, which enables effective recovery work. Nylon is a very strong material, but it has some elasticity. Stretching is important for recovery. Nylon also has excellent waterproof properties. It also has UV resistance. Therefore, even if you use the strap for a long time, you will not lose its ability.

Can I use a toe strap for recovery?

Recovery operations require resilience and consistency to recover a stranded vehicle. The toe strap is designed to pull a free-moving car, so it is not stretchable or stable. Therefore, you cannot use the toe strap for recovery. It can be used in an emergency, such as when no one has a recovery strap. However, for normal recovery work, towing straps for recovering the car are not recommended at all.

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Final impression
According to our research, the best recovery strap is the Motronic Tow Strap recovery kit. It has the highest pulling capacity of 41,455 pounds compared to other recovery straps. In other words, you can collect large trucks, SUVs, heavy equipment, tractors, etc.

There is also a complete kit that includes a D-ring shackle and a carry bag. Therefore, it can be used as a winch extension or recovery sling. Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable recovery strap, we recommend Motormic’s recovery kit.