snatch em straps

At the time I had an old Nissan G60 - it was on Nth Stradbroke Island.
I made the fatal mistake of taking too long to get the boat out of the water from a beach launch - waves were lapping around the trailer wheels and sunk it down to the axle.
The first 'helper' was a Daihatsu (F50?) Diesel - it failed miserably.
The next offer of assistance was a series 3 Rover - just not enough power.
Third was petrol Pajero - also not enough go.
Two of the helpers had ‘on special’ Supercheap straps – not sure if this was a co-incidence or what!
We didn’t snap the strap with the Rover – It just didn’t have enough power – I think it had a Holden petrol motor.
The successful vehicle was a very old Toyota diesel - mate that thing could have jerked the Queen Mary out – the low down grunt was awesome.
His strap was nearly twice the length – I don’t know what brand it was but it was very obviously of much greater thickness and strength.
I also think 4x4 recovery his knowledge far exceeded the others.
I should also point out that by the time the Yota snatched the G60 out – water was up to the dash – I had quickly disconnected the battery to prevent shorting out but it was too late.
I sold it a few weeks later for parts as the brakes seized and the wiring shorted – in the long run it was beyond repair.
I don’t take this incident as conventional for the vehicles mentioned – it’s just what eventuated on the day.

Dave >

They're about $65 too.

Basecamp. It the same strap. Look at the pics in the mag.

yep...but make sure you get the right supercheap one (orange with grey ends)...the white supercheap ones are dodge - even the really thick one which I have... I now have a kaymar...

ARB did a follow up when they got zotted in the comparo test and claimed it was due to a bad lot of stitching. Well what else would you expect. The fact is it should not have happened if they are as perfect as they claim. What good is an extended warranty out in the bush when your stuck and the strap lets you down or the waves are washing over the bonnet cause you couldn't get it out, or if someone gets injured.
ARB should have done a complete recall of all recently sold straps and replaced or tested each one in the faulty batch. Only then can you be sure that they arn't penny pinching for profits and really have your interests at heart.

BTW when the going gets tough always remember the tyre pressures.Carpe Diem

Thanks Ralph2 - I'll take that advice on board - being a fisho more that a 4x4er - I'd not heard of the sand bag trick - thanks mate I'll keep it in mind.

Dave >

Something that was totally overlooked in that mag is that the ARB and Kaymar straps, and most of the other Australian straps are all made by the one manufacturer and rebadged.

It just illustrates variability that comes with any mass manufactured product.

I'm not a 4x4 expert so don't take my comments as that of an expert - just what works for me after many years of "doing it".

I let the tyres down to the same as the truck - about 18psi usually.

For the last 3 years our crew has consisted of a 6.85m, 6.50m and 5.5m glass boats on tandem hydraulic braked trailers.
If the track is really chopped up we have on occasion dropped the smaller boat and trailer off and used the vehicle snatched to one of the other tow vehicles as a tandem pull.
When the rear vehicle towing the boat hits soft sand, the strap tightens and the front vehicle helps with the load - a bit like having twice the horsepower.
But you still have to go back and get the boat!

After many years of watching drivers on the beach I'd say the majority of problems are driver error.
Some attack like a Kamikaze pilot, others try and idle through - neither usually works.
I think it's a fine balance between selecting the right line, right gear and maintaining the right revs.
Too low a gear and you can't get enough momentum up without the engine valve bouncing.
To high a gear and you run out of legs.
Changing gears with that amount of weight on the back is disastrous - the trailer pulls you up on a dime and you end up with a standing start - or attempting a standing start!

For the three years we haven't bogged once - the 10 years prior to that was a different story!
I should also point out for the past three years we've been driving autos.
It takes a while to change your driving style but once you master an auto - they are good in the sand... hope I haven't opened a can of worms with that statement.

Dave >

Thanks for the quick reply Fishin' Dave.... 3 years of doing it without getting stuck certainly shows you know your stuff there mate!

I was curious as a friend has a "soft-roader" (His term.. not mine) and a camper trailer and we're planning a trip to Fraser and may possibly need to "tandem-pull" it on certain tracks, although probably would be easier to put it on my truck through the softer stuff...

One last question, what tyres do you run?? I was told our 33" X 12.5" muds would be next to useless in the sand, but running 22psi we found that the only time we stopped was to park! Even parked on the Indian Head track and re-started wtith no probs!! So for me, our 33's work well..

Brian on my own vehicle I've got 31 x 10.5 Kumho's on at the moment.
When I wear these out I'm going to Coopers - probably A/Ts - I've convinced myself they are the best for my aplication.
I don't want to get into a tyre war here but have seen enough to convince myself - plus I've got enough mates running them, and praising them, to convince me.

I'll also go 33 x 12.5s if the buget will stretch that far.
I don't think it will make much difference but they sure look cool!!

I should point out I have mostly been in supplied current model Toyota or Lexus working as a fishing guide for Toyota.

My own vehicle is a custom 1968 Jeep trayback truck with full Toyota 4.2 diesel and Toyota box and running gear which I have rebuilt from the ground up.
It may not be as flash but I'll back it to come through every time.

You can't miss my truck on the beach - come over for a coldie if you do.

Dave >

Cheers mate - you'll reconise me - I'll be the one with the biggest fish!

See you up there one day.

Dave >