Kinetic/snatch ropes and straps for Jimny

A diferent point of view about that.

I think snatch straps are very practical and fast way of recovery. It just need to be a litle safer.

I read in some US site, that anchor points and recovery gear generaly are not certified for recreation 4wd use and it made me realise that 4wdrivers could learn a bit from climbers experience. For many years now rock climb gear are certified by UIAA. The secret of good climb ropes is stretch dynamics.
During the 90s, we use to choose espeleology ropes to climb in the rough granite in Rio, because the sheath was more resistant (and the rope much less elastic). My spine did not forgive me because of that. Nor my Jimny, last year.

I recover a very well stucked Vitara with a 17000lbs "dynamic" strap (the only one available at the time). The snatch strap, for obvious reason did not stretch well. So I need to do some anchor point repair. I twisted the anchor point a bit with virtual no chassis damage. This is an smart thing: jimny anchor, althoug weak, was made in such a way that it protect te chassis integrity (and of course to help in very light rescue situations, or as a rappel anchorage point). I know many people said the anchor points are for jimny shipment, but for some reason, they are not withdrawn before sales.

The experience made think: We need to use a strap (more on resistence forward) and it had o be be the weakest chain link, in such way that anchor point and shackles did not broke first (wich would be much more dangerous). As Jimny anchor are weak, it has to be up graded (wich involve more chassis/wallet ri$k$).

So I bought 2 warn streps, rated for near 6500kf (the weakest available). some time after, I found a 5000kgf dynamic rope made in Brasil. I bough the shackles certified for the rupture ( I almost certain they were much stroger then the straps). Just waiting to reinforce th anchor points.

I was not able to find where the 30% stretch recomendation (from original lenght), nor the 3 times vehicle weight, came from (evethough Warn recemend the last in it´s booklet, see the photo). I just assume it´s a pratical tested knowledge.


Many people use cheaper-static straps here. I think they offer much more risks of broken-flying parts.


regards

Nelson

I understand why so many people try to warn against the use of kinetic recovery ropes. But saying that these ropes are dangerous is just plain wrong. Improper use of kinetic ropes is dangerous. And that is what it's all about. I've seen too many hillbillies ripping off fender, inferior recovery points, people almost getting hit by said items flying etc.. Just because they didn't know what they were doing.

But, I've seen far more recoveries that worked out as they should, with kinetic ropes. Some of them quite impressive. Simply because the guy in the recovery truck knew what he was doing.

So instead of just babbling about oooh no it's just plain stupid and dangerous to use. Why not spend a bit of time educating people in proper use and what's needed in terms of recovery points and such?