Tow Ropes

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Tow ropes (really a jerk rope) are needed items in snow country. Good ones do not break for along time and bad ones just take up space and break just when needed most. I am in the market for a new one and since there no farm stores here (where you generally fined better ones) because ranchers and farmers use them alot I needto know if anybody knows where I could purchase one local or thru mail. Something like 20ft. long hooks both ends rated 10000 lbs. Natural rope seems to work better than synthetic because it has more sretch to absorb the shock of the jerk. I also hope this will help others who would be interested in one and its good use when adead pull just does not work. I think this would be a good topic for discussion. Thanks for any help or input. MERRY CHRISTMAS

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99-24v-SLT-Laramie-355 lsd-4x4-auto-reg. cab long box all options except cab lights and carpet K+N-Prime-Loc-Rino -Astroflex remote-Alcoa wheels-CUMMINS IN ALASKA!!!

 

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Where are you located, Terry? Seems like there should be a NAPA within driving distance unless you are really out in the tundra. I like the all-nylon straps made of flat 2" yellow webbing. There is a loop at each end which you can turn around an axle or something and pin it with a piece of wood.
Nylon webbing has a lot more springiness than natural fiber. That's why climbers prefer to fall on nylon rope rather than natural.
Bernard, Astoria,OR

 

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I was always told by my Dad not to use jerk ropes with hooks. If the hook slips or rope breaks you have a hook flying at you through the windshield or at someone helping on the side-lines. Just my $0. 02 worth.

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Jason Hoffman
(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst straight,E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 80/100 Plasma-white HdLites. Bosch 100W Driving. Bosch 55W Fogs
210,000 miles

 

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Terry, I have a KEEPER tow strap. These are high quality. Will last a lifetime.

I got mine at Summit Racing Equipment. They have good prices, quick shipping, no hassle returns & excellent customer service.

Click on the KEEPER TOW straps URL http://store.summitracing.com/products.asp?ssid=O7QXERCJOMS3YOXQ1IKW241O12&v=A6ED1402-3612-11D3-949D-080009FC5B5F

I had a cheap yellow nylon rope that was rated @ 5000 lbs. I snaped it trying to yank out a bush once #ad

 

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Lil'Dog makes a good point. Many years ago I was at Pismo Beach, California on a holiday weekend (big gathering place for 4X4s). A guy and his family got their pickup camper stuck in the sand on the beach. A 4 wheeler came along and tried to pull them out with a nylon jerk line attached to the ball hitch on his truck (a big no no). Nothing happened on the first jerk, but on the second one the ball broke loose and went into the cab of the truck being pulled and killed the guy right in front of his wife and kids. Actually, the ball went all the way through the truck cab and lodged in the back of the camper.
Jerk straps are very effective but you must use caution when attaching them.

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96 2500 4X4 5sp 4:10 215hp SLT Horton fan,TST,4"exhaust,GearVendors,BFG 285/75/16 on Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels, K&N, Detroit Locker,50#Boost and Pyro guages, Aluminim flatbed, gooseneck and bp hitches,Helwig air bags with compressor, Helwig sway bar, Rancho 2" front lift w/9000 shocks all around, Preluber w/aircraft hoses,Hytec rear cover,PacBrake,McCloud dual disc clutch,numerous other accessories. Pull 11,000lb aluminum gooseneck horse trlr. and 14,000lb equipment trlr.

 

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WOW! This was a good thread to post that story, Bob. I will be SUPER CAREFUL from now on where I attach the snatch strap. #ad

 

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Bob,

I seem to recall hearing about that. I grew up in Pismo Beach, and so am an old hand at crawling around the dunes.

On one occasion, I was driving around on the beach at night and was flagged down by a couple of people in a Ford Thuderbird (late 80s model). The front end had sunk down into the sand such that the top of the fenders were resting in the sand. I stopped to help the guys dig the front end out, but the tide was coming in fast. I had a tow chain with me, plus some rope, so offered to pull 'em out from behind. But the damn car had nowhere to hook up to. Finally I told the fellow that I couldn't find a place to connect the hooks to, so gave the chain to him. He pops the hood and hooks it up to the engine block! I told him it wasn't a good idea, and I won't take any responsibility, but the tide was coming in, and he wanted out bad. So I hooked my end to my 71 bronco, threw it in 4lo and pulled the car out.

You should have seen what the chain did to the grille of that car! But the car was out, and as it turns out it was owned by the girl he was with (who was in serious tears by now). Needless to say, I felt bad about the damage, but the car was liberate and the beer and $20 they gave me for helping 'em out consoled me.

Sorry for the rant!

Craig

 

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Thanks for imfo on Keeper tow strap . it might be what Ive been looking for. Also safety issues while using a jerk rope.

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99-24v-SLT-Laramie-355 lsd-4x4-auto-reg. cab long box all options except cab lights and carpet K+N-Prime-Loc-Rino -Astroflex remote-Alcoa wheels-CUMMINS IN ALASKA!!!

 

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I just bought a 2" Yellow one rated at 15K at Meijers for $18, they had a 4" rated at 20 or 25K for less than $30.
I also saw a Reese brand at WalMart for about the same money, but already had one.
I have seen bumpers pulled off the back of vehicles, and have windows broken out of the pulling truck, by the hook when the strap was broken.
Be careful not to put the strap over a sharp edge.
My $. 02

Randy

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95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-Auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others, AMSOIL and Mobil Synthetics, TST 255HP and TransGO Shift kit .

 

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I just bought a 2" Yellow one rated at 15K at Meijers for $18, they had a 4" rated at 20 or 25K for less than $30.
I also saw a Reese brand at WalMart for about the same money, but already had one.
I have seen bumpers pulled off the back of vehicles, and have windows broken out of the pulling truck, by the hook when the strap was broken.
Be careful not to put the strap over a sharp edge.
My $. 02

Randy

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95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-Auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others, AMSOIL and Mobil Synthetics, TST 255HP and TransGO Shift kit .

 

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Don't just buy the strap you can afford. Figure out how much weight you want to pull then size accordingly. From what I have been reading, select a tow strap that is 1/3 the breaking strength. Example: If you want to pull a 10,000# load, select a strap with a 30,000# + break rating. I ordered mine from Northern Tools and Equipment. . put tow strap in the search box in the online catalog. http://www.northern-online.com
Aloha! Jim

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2000, 2500, QC, 4X4, Milemarker Hydraulic winch w/Warn Transformer mount & brush guard,Highway Products 5th wheel toolbox, Con lumber rack, Genuine Steel tube steps,
Spray-in bed liner, 2mtr ham rig (HF & Screwdriver antenna to follow), Ham Radio Call WH6FG

 

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Here are some tow straps with good prices from JC Whitney :

JC Whitney.com



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99QC,white,5sp,3. 55lsd, isspro EGT & boost, stock, 26,200 miles 12-13-99- -EX phord owner
15-16. 5 MPG hwy ,14-15 city , 10-12 with 4,000lb TT

 

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Hey CCollar,
It's kind of a small world. I grew up in Lompoc and was always up wheelin' at the dunes. It's amazing some of the stuff you'd see people take out there,huh.

-Mike

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00 QC2500 4x4, 6spd, LWB,
LSD, 3. 54, Dark Garnet Red, Agate, SLT, Fogs, Camper, Trailer, Midland CB, 2wd-low,
Smittybilt bars, 6-disc Clarion changer, No silencer ring, Sill guards, Tailgate marker lights, and a big chrome foot gas pedal! Need to start BOMBing all over again.

Mike Ramos Disciple of BOMB
"RATTLE & HUM"

 

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I have been pulling people out with a tow rope made from DOUBLE braided nylon with an eye spliced in each end. These work well because they will stretch 7-9 times there length before parting. Back in 1968 in Fla. we called this a "Fernandena slingshot" As stated above get what ever kind you prefer in a greater breaking strength than you calculate you will need for the max shock load you will be pulling. SAFETY! SAFETY! SAFETY! this applies weather using a tow strap or winching, when winching throw a blanket or jacket over the cable about 4' from the vehicle being towed, if "slingshoting" with a tow strap put a blanket or jacket about 4' from BOTH vehicles. (secure with short bungi cords) If something lets go, the weight of the cloth will drag the cable/strap to the dirt and prevent damage/injury. Also, in addition, if winching or facing the towed vehicle, raise the hood. This will help deflect any possible flying debris. Hope this saves someone a trip to the emergency room, OR WORSE. Yall be careful out there. Dave Hauser

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Dave Hauser, 96 3500 4x4 extended, auto 4:10 LSD, K&N, tow hooks, fog lights, custom front reciever hitch and mount for 8000 Ramsey winch, alum diamond plate box and running boards, Dodge dually mudflaps, tow 18' flatbed, 69 Vette, 89 HD FLHS

 

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I bought a nylon strap at Pep Boys for 80,000 pounds. I know it's overkill but it will pull out anything I can imagine. The reason I got it was a buddy of mine got so stuck we had to buy it to get him out. We must have left it slack and I would stand on the gas and get doing about 30-40 by the time that thing ran out. Well after all day we budged him slowly but we did it. Now I keep the strap because If I put it through that it will have a hard time breaking. Also sometimes when semi's get stuck at the loading dock we pull them out with it, once you start them rolling the rest is easy. Gotta run and start my trek back from Maine to Florida where it is warm. GMD

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1998. 4 2500 12v TST plate #8, Electronic Idler, Whistler hidden radar, Pioneer Full DIN system, 500 Amp, 41 gal toolbox/tank combo, 295/75 tires, K&N Filter, soon to be a SCOTTY's system, Front Air Dam, Limo tint all the way around, K40 CB, Cell Phone Cradle, and Now working on the Power upgrades!!!