Snatch straps are often used for off-road vehicle recoveries.

They work to spring or ‘snatch’ the bogged vehicle free due to the energy temporarily stored in the strap as its elasticity allows it to stretch when the recovery vehicle applies a towing load by moving slowly and steadily forward.

This stored energy can make them very dangerous, especially to bystanders.

If the strap is to work correctly it must be matched to the gross vehicle mass (GVM) of the lighter vehicle.

Too light and it may break.

Too heavy and it won’t stretch sufficient to provide the snatch effect and it may cause catastrophic failure of the attachment points due to shock load.

The minimum breaking strain (marked on the strap) should be between two and three times the vehicles GVM.

When setting up for recovery always carefully assess the situation, any hazards, and best direction for the recovery.

Clear mud or sand away from the bogged vehicles wheels and underbody taking account of direction of pull.

The tow vehicle should be no more than 10° from straight in line with bogged vehicle with about 2m less between them than the unstretched length of the strap, which should be laid out between them without kinks or twists.

The strap should only be attached to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended recovery points or other properly engineered recovery points.

Never use tie-down eyes, tow-balls/towbars, bullbars or suspension components – they aren’t designed for recovery loads.

Vehicle damage and deaths have resulted from failures of these items.

Only use good-quality load-rated (minimum safe working load 3.5 tonnes) shackles when required for vehicle connection. Hand-tighten the pin and back off ¼ turn to help avoid pin binding.

Form a neat ‘S’ shaped loop in that ‘spare’ 2m near the strap’s middle and place a recovery damper bag or heavy blanket across it to act as a recoil damper.

Avoid joining straps if possible and where required, never use shackles or other metal objects for joining – they become deadly missiles if they fail.

To correctly join two straps, take the end of strap one up through the eye of strap two.

Reach down through the eye of strap one and grab strap two behind the eye and lift it up through the eye of strap one.

Pull the entire length of strap two through.

Pull the resulting joint tight with a rolled-up magazine between the straps, so they can be easily separated after use.

Onlookers should not be in front, between or behind the vehicles and at least 1.5 times strap length to the side.

The drivers should agree on who directs and suitable signals.

Some judgement will be needed to select the correct gears, but as a starting point, first for recovery car (or first or second low range, if transfer case equipped) and first or reverse for bogged vehicle, to suit recovery direction.

Don’t use a big run and jerk or lots of speed.

Steadily accelerate at about 10kph and allow the momentum and strap energy to do the job.

As the strap slack takes up the bogged vehicle should also attempt to drive out. Be smooth and avoid wheel spin.

Look after your straps, wash them clean, dry, and store carefully.

Don’t use them as lifting slings or write on them with marker pens.

RACQ Roadside Assistance