Ratchet strap as a winch

[temmah]

Ok I know its not "safe". But how many people have used ratchet strap as a winch?

Im think about this as a last resort. I dont go hardcore offroading as my Forester is my family car and my camping trips are mostly soft-roading. I also have recovery boards.
One of the beautiful things i like about my Forester is the lack of space. When I go on a multiday/week long trip, im stuffing every thing in and dont really want to carry a hand winch, heavy and big. Im not going to install a electronic winch on Forester, the cost to usage ratio is not worth it.

So what about a good quality heavy duty ratchet and strap? For a last resort additional tool for recoveries.

 

[Ratbag]

Buy a proper 5,000 kg snatch strap and shackles. Also a load spreading strap.

For gentle recoveries, you should have the recovery bolt in your wheel well. It is a rated item, and should be used with a rated snatch strap.

Recovering a vehicle can be dangerous, or even fatal.

Some essential advice here:

https://www.offroadsubarus.com/threads/5181/

 

[Kevin]

I've not done it but a pair of these should do the job


or this 750kg beast



It would be a slow recovery but as you say "last resort"

 

[temmah]

Thanks Kevin and Ratbag. I do have a rated snatch strap, shackles, and equalization strap. When with other cars, ive done gentle recoveries using this. I was just thinking about the times when I am buy myself.

Yes it would be a slow recovery.

 

[idw]

I've use truck straps before 1.5t or 2t (bunnings actually has some for next to nothing atm like $30 for two), you need two it's super luving slow, and you need to almost stand over the load so if a strap goes it's pretty sketchy

Also if you're stuck in mud or anything with some suction, you're wasting your time, there's too much stretch, and the teeth aren't strong enough to hold the load. if it's hard pack and you've just lost traction and for some reason track building isn't working for you, then it'll work.

 

[Dave Hansford]

I recently did a trip into a local national park with a team of Government workers. There was a constant emphasis on health and safety. When we returned to the vehicles, one had a flat battery, so they towed it for a bump start WITH A BARGAIN BIN TIE DOWN STRAP - maybe 40mm wide - while people crowded round to watch. I hid behind a shed, waiting for the carnage. I have to say; the thing didn’t break, but that’s a lottery I won’t play.

 

[scalman]

Maybe more important then pull car off is to lift it from obstacle and put it on higher ground...in most cases that will do the job

 

[temmah]

Thanks @idw thanks @scalman
That's is exactly what I am thinking, I've got myself out of many bogged /stuck situations over time. But is a rachet worth it.
Thanks for all the advice

 

[Kevin]

Noticed this yesterday 1,130kg Pull Capacity:

 

[scalman]

those are crap ... i have one for estimated 4tones even .. and what happens first time i tried to pull out my car ... it broke.. i mean steel cable got loose from where it was like tighten ... .anyways i recovered my car there with lifting it up .... not with pulling it .... first think .. and think more ... just then act .... in most situations its lifting a car up ...
i mean those things can pull sure ... but its like it can help in situation when you on something slippery and cant get forward,,, not when you stuck in mud ...noooo then they wont help ... just lifting your car from trouble will help... and hi lift jack ... i would say hi lift jack would pull same then this and even more ....

i mean that pure old school pull power ... plus it can lift a car too
and dont do just tiktoks ... do those stuff...

 

[ABFoz]

That's is exactly what I am thinking, I've got myself out of many bogged /stuck situations over time. But is a rachet worth it.

If you can find even a second-hand one, try looking for an old-school hand winch. Some in the 90s even have forged steel, whereas now, we only have welded and cast iron.

Noticed this yesterday 1,130kg Pull Capacity:

View attachment 5008

I am just worried about the type of strap they are using but I guess it can be replaced/upgraded. I would put dyneema on that. Many of these break a lot but most of those instances are when they were used with larger/heavier vehicles.