yanking a jeep out of mud?

[graewulf]

we have NEVER yet used a strap that did not break on us.... and many times, when we do use a strap, that elastic action only acts to absorb the pull, rather than aid in the pull... i guess it is just the style of stuck that people get around here....

i'm curious how you're gettig stuck.. i've seen a 40,000lb strap pull a F150 on 44's out of mud to the bumper with a few pulls.... i definitely recommend having at least one 40,000b strap in your arsenal for those really stuck times.. but a 20,000lb is usually adequate. the first strap i bought was one of those 10,000lb ones with the hooks on the end (meant as a tow strap, not a recovery strap).. i snapped that, someone loaned us a 40,000lb strap and the same jeep pulled me right out with a few tugs. as for the snatch strap absorbing the pull, its designed to get a small running start in those cases, get it up to 5 or 10mph and you'll pull the stuck 4x4 right out.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

Sometimes you get a better pull hooking to the axle if you can do it without the tie rod interfering.

Actually hooking to the axle is a very poor idea. first the axle housing wasnt designed to take that sort of stress and you can easily bend an axle tube from the axle housing.
Tow points should be from the frame only or hooks or "D" rings attached to the bumpers.
Hooking into the frame is also a no-no. Those opening's are not re-inforced to take the stress of a pull, those openings were designed as drain points and the slotted ones as a straight down tie down points.

It is recomended that you have a short strap made or purchased to wrap around the frame and cushion any rough points with an heavy towle or like material and bring the ends out from under the frame. ( I carry a short 4" wide 10' long strap rated at 6 ton's for those without tow points)
Yes this will destroy some plastic air dam's or other things but better a 200$ plastic part than a 2100$ axle.

This is why we should all have tow points front and back of our jeeps.

An old blanket thrown over your strap or chain should reduce some of the kenetic energy if broken during a snatching and or recovery situation.
Good solid tow straps with leather wrapped ends without metal hooks can be bought from reliable off-road stores or looking up companies that make or provide lifting straps for the heavy industial section can supply these. ( my 20 foot strap is rated for 21 tons end to end bought from lift specialist's)