Towing out of the mud / wet grass

[barryd]

Today I have discovered the towing eye kit in my new van and located where it goes. The Tyres on this big heavy beast look nice and grippy but given my love for parking off grid on grass is it worth carrying a tow rope, heavy duty ratchet strap type or one of those heavy duty elasticated ones or none at all! I did find an old thread on here and it was quite useful but also highlighted how dodgy it can be.

Any recommendations or should I just call recovery? Van is 4250kg max.

Tow rope recommendation

We are very sensibly bought a five ton tow rope. Used it with a friend who got stuck in the sand the other day. She only has an auto sleeper Ford campervan. But the end snapped off. Must’ve been the force of the vehicle in the sand made it more than five ton pool. Need to replace it. We are...

wildcamping.co.uk

 

[Robmac]

I still carry my French Army strap and hand winch Barry, only ever had to use it once and although it sounds like hard work I only had to winch it about a foot onto a bit of matting to get out.

I think it was Nigel (Brownie) who recommended the strap to me years ago. (however wrong that sounds!).

 

[1 Cup]

Most 5 tonn straps are only rated for first lift / pull so ten tonn min so ten line insewn . I got mine from the docks but need the ratcheting thingy..

I've go 4 x4 foot scaffolding boards for under wheels when parked on soft ground Devon truck show. 2024

o what a laught but a good start

 

[mistericeman]

I deff wouldn't go for a kinetic rope onto a standard towing eye ...

BUT a towing strop is better than rope IMHO

Too much chance of it going titsy

Im intending to buy a set of fiberglass traction mats to try to reduce the chance of getting stuck in the first place ...

 

[guerdeval]

Strap every time, those stretchy ones can be dangerous

 

[barryd]

I still carry my French Army strap and hand winch Barry, only ever had to use it once and although it sounds like hard work I only had to winch it about a foot onto a bit of matting to get out.

I think it was Nigel (Brownie) who recommended the strap to me years ago. (however wrong that sounds!).

French one will be no good Rob, its right hand drive.

 

[barryd]

Cheers, ill look for a towing strop then. What strength? 10 ton seems a lot.

 

[n brown]

my strap is rated 11 tons .though i think 8 ton is plenty ,loads on fleabay under towing strops
i prefer a longer one and tie one end with a bowline

 

[barryd]

my strap is rated 11 tons .though i think 8 ton is plenty ,loads on fleabay under towing strops
i prefer a longer one and tie one end with a bowline

Any good?

Heavy Duty Towing Strap Rope 5M 8T Tow Belt Towing Cable Winch Straps w/2 Chain | eBay

Specifications: Lenght: 5M / 16' Width: 5cm /1.9" Capacity:8Tons Features: Reflective Tape,night vision U-Shape Carbon Steel Hook Reflective Stripes,visual at night .Best For Emergency help color: blue Material: nylon, steel Package Contents: 1 x traction rope 2 x U-shaped hooks 1...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[mistericeman]

A stuck in mud vehicle will often 'weigh' several times it's actual mass ....

So a strop with safe margin is a sensible option ....

And I'd go with a couple of decent rated d shackles for ease of fastening ....and,more importantly detaching .

Make sure you have some sort of blanket etc to drape over the strop in case it let's go (not as great a danger as with a rope etc ....but still better safe than sorry .)

 

[n brown]

Any good?

Heavy Duty Towing Strap Rope 5M 8T Tow Belt Towing Cable Winch Straps w/2 Chain | eBay

Specifications: Lenght: 5M / 16' Width: 5cm /1.9" Capacity:8Tons Features: Reflective Tape,night vision U-Shape Carbon Steel Hook Reflective Stripes,visual at night .Best For Emergency help color: blue Material: nylon, steel Package Contents: 1 x traction rope 2 x U-shaped hooks 1...

www.ebay.co.uk

looks good but for towing out of a sandy / muddy patch i'd want longer

 

[trevskoda]

A stuck in mud vehicle will often 'weigh' several times it's actual mass ....

It wont weigh any more, but will defo require a pull strap at least 4/5 time whats expected, i have seen them snap, DONT stand anywhere near them under a tension pull, ps watch your windsheld, seen one smashed many years back with whiplash.

 

[Fazerloz]

I carry a couple of old 2 ton lifting strops 3m long, colour code green and a couple of shackles. They will do all you want. If you have a local engineering shop chances are they may have some to throw out if you ask, They are cheap as chips for them to buy new ones compared to having old ones tested.

 

[barryd]

I carry a couple of old 2 ton lifting strops 3m long, colour code green and a couple of shackles. They will do all you want. If you have a local engineering shop chances are they may have some to throw out if you ask, They are cheap as chips for them to buy new ones compared to having old ones tested.

I'm going to Armitage Trailers a week on Monday for a rack fitting. I bet they will have loads but I might just order an 8ton one off eBay. Chances are I won't need it. I did get stuck on one cl last summer which is our first port of call when we first arrived but after a day or two when it dried out I got out with a bit of wiggling.

 

[maingate]

If you are stuck, you need a folding spade as well. You need to dig a ramp for the wheels to climb out. There are plenty of compact ones on t'interweb.

 

[r4dent]

Forget the stretch / kinetic enegry / snatch ropes. They are a bit specialist and you need to know what you are doing (plus no good for self recovery.

Stick with a good 10-12 ton strop ; a couple of good shackles and a blnket.
If you want to self recover get a tree strop and a Tirfor wich.

 

[barryd]

I was more thinking when you just get a bit stuck. In the past (and its not happened for years and years) it was usually just a quick tow by a Tugger with a Range Rover or a farmer with a tractor. As soon as I lose traction I don't then bury it, ill seek help. I think if it looked remotely dodgy I would just call recovery and let them deal with it.

I reckon the tyres on this are way better than the old one van, they were crap but then it is heavier.

 

[Fazerloz]

Forget the stretch / kinetic enegry / snatch ropes. They are a bit specialist and you need to know what you are doing (plus no good for self recovery.

Stick with a good 10-12 ton strop ; a couple of good shackles and a blnket.
If you want to self recover get a tree strop and a Tirfor wich

You forgot the ground anchor. Buy and carry that lot for something that may never happen. Give the local farmer £10 cheaper and far easier.

 

[n brown]

i never worried about getting stuck ,safe in the knowledge that you're never far from a tractor and i always had a good rope or strop. over the years i've been stuck many times and most people are quick to help ,as am i . i never carried a shovel as i've heard they're rather exhausting to operate

 

[barryd]

I just bought an 8ton strop with all the fittings. It should be enough for what I want. Im not buying a feckin shovel. Do I look like someone who digs? Ill leave that to the "Manic Miner" from Gateshead! Ill regret that I know.