snatch strap dampeners

beeny
i use a rope that is a bit longer than the strap,,,,attached to both vehicles,,,,taped to the strap just past the eyelets and in the middle,,,with enough slack to allow for stretch in the strap, but not enough to let the strap or shackle fly to far.

rick.

The latest recommendation seems to be to use a drag chain as a damper. I saw them doing this at the Adelaide 4WD show and had a chat with the guys afterwards (local 4wd training Co.). Obviously the snatch strap didn't let go so I can't comment as to how effective it would be as a damper. If it works great, if not there's a lot of weight in a flying drag chain.

Hi,

My advice would be that you don't need to purchase a dampener if that's what you are referring to.

There are plenty of ways of dampening the snatch strap with equipment/gear you may already carry:

Towel (big) as you have said
Rope (as above)
Drag Chain
Tree trunk Protector/another snatch strap
Sandbag/sack with some dirt/sand in it
Ground sheet
Water crossing blind

.....and the list goes on

They will work effectively as long as the 'dampener' is properly secured/tied to the snatch strap. If you HAVE to use a shackle (to be avoided if possible) then position the dampener closer to the end with the shackle or use 2 dampeners towards either end in tough recoveries.

:)

Hi Guy's a towel or blanket on a snatch strap is a complete wast of time if the strap breaks, it's been tested and filmed by the Toyota club in SA. The 4wd asocations Driver Training unit in S.A, state in there training manual (nationaly acredited) to use 2 at least 5Kg wieghts secured to the strap one third of the way in from each vechile. A drag chain is ideal for this, if bunched up securly and tried to the strap by rapping it over several times and tying to it's self with a half hitch. Then if the strap breaks the wieghts will help to keep the strap down and slow it up .It's unlikely if a shackel is used correctly(only used with a snatch strap when it is attached to the chassie or a solid part of the vechile, never used to join two straps)that it will become a missile. In saying that, it also must be remembered that pieces of chassie and tow bars have been pulled of some vechiles.