My 2" tow strap broke on Saturday, and I need to get another one. Since it seems that very commonly people use those receiver shackles, which have a rating of about 42,500 lbs, I'm figuring it's probably wise to get a strap that's below that. The strap I had was a 20K strap. I'm thinking about getting one of the masterpull yanker straps, they're more expensive but seem
to stretch a lot better than the regular flat straps, thus more stored energy. Anyone used one of these? Best prices I've found are a 30', 1" dia strap for $96, rating is 33,500, or a 30', 1.25" dia, $135, rating is 52,300, which is over the shackle rating. I'm thinking that having a piece of broken shackle go flying is a bad thing. The other option is to get a 4" regular strap, rated about 40K, for about $60, but not much if any stretch.

Thoughts?

Originally posted by bsoder
30', 1" dia strap for $96, rating is 33,500

Go with that one. I have a 30,000 strap that I have yet to break. I think it is a good weight rating. Not to mention having a piece of shackle go flying would be disaster...

What do you think of the elasticity argument? I've heard it can be better to use a more solid strap, less flex, for that initial "jerk" to get you loose. Just trying to decide which way to go.

Yall are right, having metal flying is much worse than breaking a strap, so why not stick with the 20K one? Keep in mind ratings are based on everything being perfect. Usually when something breaks its because things weren't perfect after all, so that shackle rated at 42K might actually break sooner. And can't you buy about 3 of the 20K ones for the price of the one you're looking at?

Yes 92xj, but have you ever seen a really violent strap break? Those things go flying through the air like whips and smack the hell out of anything in their way. Granted, it isn't like a flying winch cable or anything, and they aren't going to do as much damage as a metal object, but think back to your high school days. Ever whipped someone with a towel in the locker room? Remember how loud they screamed? Now think wet yank strap but with over 20k into it smacking you in the face.

Coming from someone who has snapped their fair share, get the big boys.

I'm kinda thinking mabye just get two 4" straps. That would give me the flexibility of hooking up to two trucks if necessary, or using both straps on one (strong) mount point. They're still below the rating of the standard hitch shackle each.