what recovery rope?

[driftwood]

ok, its about time i got myself some recovery gear instead of borrowing everybody elses. But what is the best rope to get?

kinetic, normal 12000kg nylon, strops etc.....

what do you all prefer/recommend and more the reason, why????

regards

lee

[Xtremeteam]

in the racer carry just a long kerr rope,
in my road 90 same kerr rope  & a short tow strop
In the 110 carry enough recovery gear to pull a 747 back on the runway at edinburgh & have equipment left over,

[Barry Scott]

I use a normal 12t rope as I do not want to be around if a recovery point breaks when using a kinetic rope  :shock:

I use a www.yellowstrap.com to spread the weight over my two front points.

Not used any of it yet, but strangely I am looking forward to.

[Range Rover Blues]

Yes, try Yellowstrap, I think it's one of the members here (sure of it).

I'd suggest a combination of short straps and a long one, that way you can combine them/double them up to the length you require.

I also use a bridle on the front end to spread the load.

You'll want plenty of shackles too.  I've got a KERR but never used it yet, I was towed out at Whaddon using one and it softens the shock of a dynamic recovery.  KERRS can also be used (I'm told) in a static recovery to store energy, for example if you use a manual winch.

That's another thing, are you getting a winch, if not I'd suggest getting a winch kit for your Hi-Lift, plus you need some 10mm chain (I might have a contact for that).

[Barry Scott]

Yes, the Yellow Straps are from davidlandy on here.

I have the Hi-lift jack recovery kit too, it looks like a nice cheap alternative to a winch.

[Range Rover Blues]

For your shackles try
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Lee-James-4x4-Ltd-tel-08453309830_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

[thermidorthelobster]

I use a 6 tonne flat strap (not kinetic), with hefty shackles at each end.  Go for something nice and long, because if you get stuck, you don't want the recovery vehicle getting stuck as it tries to get to you.  Also, for towing, you want a bit of space between you.

I also use a Tirfor which has been invaluable on occasion.

[Range Rover Blues]

I quite like the Tirfor but I don't relish the though of getting it sull of S**t which is why I use the hi-lift.  That said when we were using it in north Notts (Turtle and I) we neede 2 hi-lifts, one to winch and one to lift the wheels out of the gulley.

[laser_jock99]

Steer clear of natural fibre ropes- they can break unexpectedly. I had a 20mm sisal rope fail this week pulling a tree stump. I then fitted a stout length of chain and had no problems.

[littlepow]

I use a 20ft ARB recovery strap, as they roll up nice and flat for storage.
It comes with a built in worn / streched marker, so tells you when it's beyound safe use.

[cstokes]

I got most of my recovery equipment from crane and lifting supplies as the do good quality rope and strops, winches etc: at a reasonable price.

They now do a flat version of synthetic winch rope, about £40 for 110ft.
Not everything they do is shown on the web site but they will make anything up for you on request.

http://www.liftingandcrane.co.uk/main.asp

[drum]

They now do a flat version of synthetic winch rope, about £40 for 110ft.

http://www.liftingandcrane.co.uk/main.asp

That's worth knowing I keep meaning to replace mine with synthetic, but am always but off by the cost.

[Range Rover Blues]

That flat stuff had a worthy mention in one of the comics too recently.  the cost make sit well worth a try I'd think.  May get a winch soon and that's what I'd go for, I was really impressed (by the safety) when Turtle's rope snapped, it didn't even recoil enough to pull out of the fairlead, didn't realise straight away what had happened.

[muddyweb]

For vehicle - vehicle recovery I tend to favour a decent Nylon rope.  They have enough give in them so you don't need to replace your fillings every time you use them.

Steer clear of Kinetics unless you have a good reason for wanting them, and have plenty of time to perfect your safe recovery practices.

[TimM]

Steer clear of Kinetics unless you have a good reason for wanting them

That's what I've heard, I gather that if say a shackle breaks, then the rope will act like a big elastic band and 'launch' the shackle at the other vehicle.

Haven't seen this yet but don't want too either.

I have a 12Tonne 4.5M (which is as long as you are allowed for towing) Nylon rope (Nylon has about 60% more 'give' than poly rope for snatch recoveries). I will be bringing it on Saturday if you want a look.

[Eeyore]

That flat stuff had a worthy mention in one of the comics too recently.  the cost make sit well worth a try I'd think.  

I've seen it on a number of winches recently, but I'll confess to still being sceptical.

There's one or two questions need answering first - I remember all the learning that went on with plasma once loads of folk had fitted it!

Watch this space with interest, I think is the key phrase.

For recovery, I agree with Muddyweb - a gurt thick nylon rope is good.

cheers
 8)
Eeyore

[muddyweb]

My experience with flat stuff like that is that it never stays flat for long..  unless you pull it on dead straight it twists and turns and rolls itself up into a rope shape :-)

[davidlandy]

been thinking about getting some of the plasma rope - the strap stuff just dont look right to me.

seen plasma snapping alot though and never seen wire go but hear that it can make a bit of a scene when it does

[muddyweb]

IME, plasma tends to snap more because it gets abused a lot more.   There is still a lot of 'fear' of steel ropes, so people tend to handle and treat them with a lot more respect.  Because everyone thinks Plasma is "safe", they abuse it a lot more and don't look after it as much.

The best thing about a plasma rope failure is that there is a lot less stored energy, so the potential for damage is greatly reduced.

Plasma also suffers from being not used.   If it just sits there on the drum for long periods of time, it seems to age more quickly than it otherwise would.

The other issue is that (IMHO) people use too-small a guage of plasma on their winches.  They seem to have bought into the sales hype that having a couple of miles of winch rope on the drum is a good thing....   I would suggest that a shorter length of bigger rope is a much better way to run.