Snatch Straps and how to use them

A snatch strap is a piece of equipment used to help in the recovery of vehicles bogged in sand or mud. Snatch straps are manufactured from webbing that is capable of approximately 20% stretch under load.

When stretched, the strap effectively stores kinetic energy released by the momentum of the recovery vehicle. The resultant force is much greater than using a non-expanding towing rope, when the strap returns to its normal length. The snatch strap allows even a small vehicle to recover a much bigger vehicle in a recovery situation.

A snatch strap is used by attaching one end to a rated recovery point on the bogged vehicle (e.g. a recovery hook or loop on the chassis). A second vehicle is required to do the recovery. The snatch strap is laid out on the ground in the direction the bogged vehicle is to be recovered (either forwards or backwards), with an "S" bend in the middle approximately 1m in length. The recovery vehicle is backed up so that the snatch strap can be attached to a second rated recovery point on the rear of the recovery vehicle.

All passengers and bystanders should stand completely clear of the recovery operation at all times. Once a snatch strap is connected to both vehicles, it is viewed as "live" and nobody should be allowed to step over it at any time.

The snatch strap should also never under any circumstances be attached to the towbar of the recovery vehicle. The actual tow-ball could break off and become a fatal bullet to bystanders or the driver of the bogged vehicle.

Bullbars are not suitable as mounting points for a recovery operation either. The golden rule is that your mounting point should also be directly part of the chassis of both vehicles, a 4x4intelligence recovery point is perfect.

First attempt a simple tow of the vehicle using the snatch strap.  If the towing car does not succeed in freeing the stuck vehicle then try again, this time leave two metres of slack in the snatch strap, before attempting the recovery. Any rocks, tree trunks or obstacles in the recovery path should be removed beforehand.

The front vehicle should then accelerate at moderate speed.  As the driver accelerates they will feel the snatch strap take up the slack and then begin to stretch.  Often the front vehicle will then come to a halt and the elasticity of the strap will come into effect and slingshot the rear vehicle out of the hole.  When "snatching" a stuck vehicle, using preferably low range second gear. The driver of the stuck vehicle should engage the same gear and be ready to release the clutch when the strap is taking up the slack.

If this fails to recover the stuck vehicle, repeat the procedure, but this time marginally increase the acceleration speed of the recovery vehicle.

Failing which, increase the amount of slack to 3 metres in the snatch strap!

If the recovery vehicle cannot be brought close enough to the stuck vehicle, for fear of getting bogged down as well, two snatch straps may be connected to each other.

The only safe technique for joining snatch straps is to thread each strap through the eye of the other strap, if you consider the number 69 as the 2 straps, each showing one eye, the tail of each is passed through the eye of the other.  Something light, even a rolled up newspaper, is then put between the straps as they tighten down on each other so you prevent them binding together when used.

4x4dicvovery sell a wide range of rated recovery gear including 10 and 20m snatch straps.

If you have any questions - ASK US