Technical Topics No. 9

HOW TO JOIN RECOVERY STRAPS..

During my years of driving 4WD vehicles I have seen many different methods used to join recovery straps, i.e snatch straps, winch extenstion straps and tree protectors. These methods have ranged from "downright lethal", through "very dangerous" to "acceptable" and "best".
Snatch straps can be dangerous if they break during a recovery operation and if more than one is needed and they are joined incorrectly, and they break, or the joint fails then they can be LETHAL..
Remember, in all cases where a snatch-strap is used, place a damper on the strap(s) midway between the two vehicles to dampen the strap should it break etc.

The "Do's" and "Dont's" of Joining Recovery Straps.

INCORRECT JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. DANGER !!!
In this INCORRECT method, the end of one strap is inserted through the eye of the other strap and a stick inserted through the eye of the first strap.
The problem here is if the stick or strap breaks. there is nothing left to join the straps and they will fly back with tremendous force cutting through anything in their way. Being inside the vehicle will not guarantee your safety.
This method may be quick but is extremely DANGEROUS.
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD.

INCORRECT JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. DANGER !!!
DO NOT USE A SHACKLE TO JOIN STRAPS.
In this INCORRECT method the snatch straps are joined with a shackle.
If the strap breaks then the unbroken strap, and shackle, will fly back toward the vehicle with enough force to cut down anything in its way, including the human body. Being inside the vehicle will not guarantee your safety.
This method may be quick but is extremely DANGEROUS.
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD.

INCORRECT JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. NO !!!
In this INCORRECT method the straps are tied together.
If the knot happens to stay tied, then the joint will become incredibly tight and will be almost impossible to untie.
In the more likely event of the knot slipping then the straps will fly apart with great force and anything in their way will be cut down, including the human body. Being inside the vehicle may not guarantee your safety.
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD.

ACCEPTABLE JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. BETTER !!!
This is an acceptable method of joining straps, but is not recommended because the joint will become incredibly tight under use and will be almost impossible to undo.
In this method, the end of one strap is passed through the eye of the other strap and then the other end of the second strap is passed through the eye of the first strap and pulled all the way through to form a strong joint.
This method is acceptable as it will produce a strong joint, but will be extremely difficult to undo after use.
THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE METHOD, but the joint will be nearly impossible to undo after use.

ACCEPTABLE JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. EVEN BETTER !!!
This method is similar to the above method except that a strong stick is inserted, as shown, to prevent the straps pulling tight together. After use, the stick can be removed creating enough slack in the joint to allow easy separation.
THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE METHOD, but the stick will still do damage if one of the straps break.

BEST JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. BEST!!!
This method is similar to the above method except that a rolled up towel, or similar replaces the stick. After use the towel can be removed creating enough slack in the joint to allow easy separation.
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED METHOD, as the towel is not likely to cause too much damage if one of the straps break.

JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. SIMPLE!!!
To facilitate ease and speed of joining straps in the above acceptable methods, fold your straps in half and roll-up with the eyes on the outside. This will present both ends of the straps when you come to join them and avoid the need to fully unravel one of the straps.
THIS MAKES THE OPERATION QUICK AND SIMPLE.

JOINING OF SNATCH STRAPS. SIMPLE!!!
As a reminder - the end of one strap is passed through the eye of the other strap and then the other end of the second strap is passed through the eye of the first strap. The second strap can then be pulled all the way through the eye of the first strap to form a strong joint. The use of a rolled up towel, or similar, between the straps will make the joint easier to undo and will cause far less damage than a solid stick if something fails during the recovery operation
ALWAYS USE SNATCH STRAPS WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND ENSURE THAT ONLOOKERS ARE WELL OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE.

This series of technical articles is of a general nature. The views expressed are not necessarily related to the Jackaroo, or any other make or model of vehicle. The content is believed to be accurate, but no responsibility can be accepted for errors or inaccuracies. If you have a problem with your vehicle you should consult a competent mechanic.

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	DANGER !!! In this INCORRECT method, the end of one strap is inserted through the eye of the other strap and a stick inserted through the eye of the first strap. The problem here is if the stick or strap breaks. there is nothing left to join the straps and they will fly back with tremendous force cutting through anything in their way. Being inside the vehicle will not guarantee your safety. This method may be quick but is extremely DANGEROUS. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD.
	DANGER !!! DO NOT USE A SHACKLE TO JOIN STRAPS. In this INCORRECT method the snatch straps are joined with a shackle. If the strap breaks then the unbroken strap, and shackle, will fly back toward the vehicle with enough force to cut down anything in its way, including the human body. Being inside the vehicle will not guarantee your safety. This method may be quick but is extremely DANGEROUS. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD.
	NO !!! In this INCORRECT method the straps are tied together. If the knot happens to stay tied, then the joint will become incredibly tight and will be almost impossible to untie. In the more likely event of the knot slipping then the straps will fly apart with great force and anything in their way will be cut down, including the human body. Being inside the vehicle may not guarantee your safety. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD.
	BETTER !!! This is an acceptable method of joining straps, but is not recommended because the joint will become incredibly tight under use and will be almost impossible to undo. In this method, the end of one strap is passed through the eye of the other strap and then the other end of the second strap is passed through the eye of the first strap and pulled all the way through to form a strong joint. This method is acceptable as it will produce a strong joint, but will be extremely difficult to undo after use. THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE METHOD, but the joint will be nearly impossible to undo after use.
	EVEN BETTER !!! This method is similar to the above method except that a strong stick is inserted, as shown, to prevent the straps pulling tight together. After use, the stick can be removed creating enough slack in the joint to allow easy separation. THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE METHOD, but the stick will still do damage if one of the straps break.
	BEST!!! This method is similar to the above method except that a rolled up towel, or similar replaces the stick. After use the towel can be removed creating enough slack in the joint to allow easy separation. THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED METHOD, as the towel is not likely to cause too much damage if one of the straps break.
	SIMPLE!!! To facilitate ease and speed of joining straps in the above acceptable methods, fold your straps in half and roll-up with the eyes on the outside. This will present both ends of the straps when you come to join them and avoid the need to fully unravel one of the straps. THIS MAKES THE OPERATION QUICK AND SIMPLE.
	SIMPLE!!! As a reminder - the end of one strap is passed through the eye of the other strap and then the other end of the second strap is passed through the eye of the first strap. The second strap can then be pulled all the way through the eye of the first strap to form a strong joint. The use of a rolled up towel, or similar, between the straps will make the joint easier to undo and will cause far less damage than a solid stick if something fails during the recovery operation ALWAYS USE SNATCH STRAPS WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND ENSURE THAT ONLOOKERS ARE WELL OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE.