Posts Tagged ‘tow strap’

Vehicle Tow Straps

January 12th, 2010

Tow car straps will come in handy when an automotive vehicle suddenly breaks down out of nowhere. Instead of paying towing services (which can cost you a considerable amount of money), you can use the straps to tow your car. These straps are ideally used for short distance towing. Typically, towing straps are made from woven straps that have hooks at both ends. Each hook will be anchored to the frames of the two vehicles, one for the car that needs to be towed and the other for the vehicle that will be towing your car.

When installing towing straps, the first thing you need to do is to look under your car and locate the small hole where the hook will be anchored. Check the straps first to ascertain that they are in good condition. They should be free from cuts frays or broken stitching. In addition, you also need to ensure that the hardware you will be using is free of rust and defects. Next thing to do is to insert the hook on the towing vehicle and the car that needs to be towed. Make sure that straps are not rubbing against any sharp metal surface as this might cause tearing. The hooks should also be securely fastened on both cars.

You also have to make certain that you are using the appropriate strap. Nylon tow straps are sold in varying web capacity and breaking strengths. As a rule of thumb, the vehicle weight should be half the break strength of the towing strap. Therefore, you need to consider the type of vehicle you will be towing. If you will be towing big trucks, then you should use a high-strength and heavy-duty truck tow strap.

Additionally, you must choose a strap that will be able to handle the weight of the automotive vehicle you will be towing. Whether you will be using an atv tow strap or a retractable tow strap, you need to ensure that the strap is made of durable and high-strength nylon. Moreover, it should be weather, moisture and abrasion resistant. Make sure that it will allow room for stretching so the nylon webbing will help snap the vehicle out to take some of the shock out of the initial pull.

Carefully read the instruction that comes with the strap to ensure that it will be properly installed. When storing your strap, keep it away from sunlight. Additionally, always keep them clean since dirt, mud, and other debris embedded on the strap can damage its fibers over time; thus, significantly decreasing its strength. Take note of this helpful guide to know the proper way of installing and selecting towing straps!

Tow Straps

November 16th, 2009

Whether you are attaching additional cargo or towing a troubled car, it is necessary to secure them properly onto your vehicle with the aid of reliable and heavy duty tow straps. Properly securing the towed vehicle or attached cargo will prevent lose or damage to your property. In addition, the use of the appropriate set of towing straps will ensure the safety of the other vehicles trailing behind you as well as the pedestrians walking around the area.

When selecting the best tow strap, the first thing to do is to measure the bed of the towing vehicle to ascertain that you have the appropriate strap size and netting. It is highly advised to go for straps with adjustable length and quick-release function. Aside from that, you have to decide on what type of strap will best address your needs. Retractable towing straps are ideal for those looking for quick and easy installation. The retractable strap variety features adjustable hooks, nylon strap, loop closure and a breakaway feature. Retractable straps are designed to eliminate knots and tangled mess.

The emergency towing straps, on the other hand, work very similar with the retractable type but are mainly designed to tow malfunctioning cars or light pickup trucks. They are much lighter than tow chains and are rust-resistant. They are sold depending on their load capacity and break strength rating. Heavy duty nylon tow straps with higher web capacity are the perfect choice for bigger vehicles like tractors, and other larger four-wheeled automotive rides.

Once you have identified the appropriate type of strap for the towing vehicle, you now need to identify the anchor points. The vehicle’s anchor points are often made of a metal frame which features a wide opening where you can tie or clip the straps. The location of the anchor points vary depending on the vehicle type and model.

The load’s weight is yet another important factor to consider. Determine which anchor point will fully secure your load. If you will be towing another vehicle, make sure that both ends of the straps’ hooks are securely fastened.

Before attaching the strap, make sure that it is free of any forms of damage. Read and follow the installation guide given by the manufacturer to ensure that that strap will be properly anchored. Always take time to shop around different automotive shops in order the find the strap that is suitable for your load requirements and towing needs!