Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi I am fairly new to the 4wd experience and I have to buy some recovery gear. Just wondering what the best brand of snatch strap is around at the moment for a Daihatsu Feroza CXi 95 model.

Thanks

there was a review in 4wd montly a few months back,
I still use my ARB strap even thought they got a bad review ive never had a problem with mine, and still think its a quality strap

pretty much stay with the known brands. The 8000lb strap will be suitable. and get 2x 3.5t rated shackles.

ARB Have an excellent little recovery kit for about $130 at the moment.

Repco have got a special on at the moment for a Black Rat recovery kit for $89 (normally $110). That's in SA, but may apply in other states too.

It comprises a 8000kg 9m snatch strap (highly recommended in 4WD Monthly test), two 3.25 tonne ADR compliant bow shackles, a pair of leather gloves and a decent quality carry bag for it all. I bought one last weekend and it all seems decent gear.

Oh yeah, the ARB straps failed dismally in the test! ARB sent out a big apology afterwards saying they were going to revise the production method- do a search and all the details are on here somewhere....

like everything else in life.......... "YA GET WHAT YA PAY FOR", steer clear of cheapies, I've used one of these....lasted all of 10 secs!! so like the others said NAME BRAND is the go.

Also add to your kit......

first aid kit ....
$80 bucks is a good mark, on special at the moment through most "autopro", "Supercheap","autobarn" shops... check the catalouges out

long handle shovel or spade.....
get a decent one, bout $20 - 30 bucks... should fit across the back of ya 4x4... if not cut the handle down so it does.

3 metres of 8mm chain with a hook on each end...
this is for towing not snatching, I run 4 chains of different lengths and they have all seen use. $40 is about the mark here, mitre 10, bunnings, etc etc

A plug in 12 volt work light....
one that either plugs into the cigerette lighter of clips onto the battery terminals... a MUST have if ya 4x4ing at night and is handy for those brakedowns at night.... ever tried to change a flat tyre in total darkness ??
I use a simple thing that uses a indicator globe.... cost $4.00 !!!

this is what I'd call a basic recovery kit, you'd add bits from here after a winch is fitted or other mods done..... but this is a good start.

and your in luck ........ ITS XMAS TIME... so put ya "I wants" in now !!!

Well thats what I am doing, I have given my brother this link and put a lot of "hint hint hints" in my email to him so fingers crossed.....

Hope he sees this

couple of pics....

one showing the back of my rig loaded up.... the shovel handle has had 6" cut off of the handle so it would fit across tha back.

The "box" holds most of my stuff, blankets, sleepingbag, raincoat, rubberboots, toolkit, ground anchor, wheel brace, extra ropes, jacks, axe/tomahawk, doubling blocks, chainsaw etc etc etc.

The firstaid kit lives under the drivers seat.... easy access is a must

The main ropes I use are on the passengers side along with 1 of the 2 snatchem straps, while all the chains are kept on the drivers side ( there's a 9 metre chain in the cutdown oil bottle). The reason for this layout is that my spare wheel lives on the back and its a 35" BFG MTR, so getting past it to get stuff from d back is a pain.... the heavier chains are relativly easy to get and the much lighter stuff isnt to bad to reach for .

other pic is a "basic needs kit", like I said you'll soon add to it as you progress into 4x4ing

I guess your xmas pressies are an easy shopping trip now !!

3 metres of 8mm chain with a hook on each end...
this is for towing not snatching, I run 4 chains of different lengths and they have all seen use. $40 is about the mark here, mitre 10, bunnings, etc etc

hope your using rated chain and not just the std unrated stuff, your fist aid kit might get a good workout if the unrated chain breaks etc.

V8Patrol wrote:couple of pics....

one showing the back of my rig loaded up.... the shovel handle has had 6" cut off of the handle so it would fit across tha back.
The "box" holds most of my stuff, blankets, sleepingbag, raincoat, rubberboots, toolkit, ground anchor, wheel brace, extra ropes, jacks, axe/tomahawk, doubling blocks, chainsaw etc etc etc.
The main ropes I use are on the passengers side along with 1 snatchem strap, while all the chains are kept on the drivers side ( there's a 9 metre chain in the cutdown oil bottle)

other pic is a "basic needs kit", like I said you'll soon add to it as you progress into 4x4ing

OMG it's good to be prepared, although I don't think QLDGAL would need quite that much gear.

First aid kit, good torch, snatch strap kit, toolbox with some handtools, that should do it to start off with.

spazbot wrote:

3 metres of 8mm chain with a hook on each end...
this is for towing not snatching, I run 4 chains of different lengths and they have all seen use. $40 is about the mark here, mitre 10, bunnings, etc etc

hope your using rated chain and not just the std unrated stuff, your fist aid kit might get a good workout if the unrated chain breaks etc.

3 of the 4 chains are rated and all hooks/eyes are "SWL" rated ( Safe Working Load), odd thing is the one chain thats not rated is the one that gets the most use and has never even looked like failing and that chain has seen more than 30 years of use in various places/conditions and its used atleast once a week in either the w/shop or out 4x4ing ! ( I think it was made b4 rating was invented .... prolly came from the ARK !! )

Area54 wrote:

V8Patrol wrote:couple of pics....

one showing the back of my rig loaded up.... the shovel handle has had 6" cut off of the handle so it would fit across tha back.
The "box" holds most of my stuff, blankets, sleepingbag, raincoat, rubberboots, toolkit, ground anchor, wheel brace, extra ropes, jacks, axe/tomahawk, doubling blocks, chainsaw etc etc etc.
The main ropes I use are on the passengers side along with 1 snatchem strap, while all the chains are kept on the drivers side ( there's a 9 metre chain in the cutdown oil bottle)

other pic is a "basic needs kit", like I said you'll soon add to it as you progress into 4x4ing

OMG it's good to be prepared, although I don't think QLDGAL would need quite that much gear.

First aid kit, good torch, snatch strap kit, toolbox with some handtools, that should do it to start off with.

Tend to agree here... she is a newbie, and drives a feroza. The basic stuff will cover it well cause she will be with people who
1) know what there doing,
2) generally bring more than what is needed anyway,

and she wont be doing anything that hard for a while, nor long trips away.

Basic revoery equipment, water, first aid kit, and a shovel when she goes beach driving. But who would say no to helping recover a stranded female.!!!

Heath28 wrote:

Area54 wrote:

V8Patrol wrote:couple of pics....

one showing the back of my rig loaded up.... the shovel handle has had 6" cut off of the handle so it would fit across tha back.
The "box" holds most of my stuff, blankets, sleepingbag, raincoat, rubberboots, toolkit, ground anchor, wheel brace, extra ropes, jacks, axe/tomahawk, doubling blocks, chainsaw etc etc etc.
The main ropes I use are on the passengers side along with 1 snatchem strap, while all the chains are kept on the drivers side ( there's a 9 metre chain in the cutdown oil bottle)

other pic is a "basic needs kit", like I said you'll soon add to it as you progress into 4x4ing

OMG it's good to be prepared, although I don't think QLDGAL would need quite that much gear.

First aid kit, good torch, snatch strap kit, toolbox with some handtools, that should do it to start off with.

Tend to agree here... she is a newbie, and drives a feroza. The basic stuff will cover it well cause she will be with people who
1) know what there doing,
2) generally bring more than what is needed anyway,

and she wont be doing anything that hard for a while, nor long trips away.

Basic revoery equipment, water, first aid kit, and a shovel when she goes beach driving. But who would say no to helping recover a stranded female.!!!

Well I already have the first aid kit, torch, zip ties and 2 occy straps and all the girly stuff like bin, hand wipes, tissues lol. I am considering getting a good torch that is rechargable and can stay in the car

And thanks....this female likes to be able to get herself out of trouble as she is very stubbord

You'd be going to fit all that crap listed above in the back of a Feroza!

Another note- I thought using chain for towing was a big no-no? Wouldn't a proper tow rope (that allows some stretch) be better; plus lighter and easier to store?

V8Patrol wrote:like everything else in life.......... "YA GET WHAT YA PAY FOR", steer clear of cheapies, I've used one of these....lasted all of 10 secs!! so like the others said NAME BRAND is the go.

Also add to your kit......

first aid kit ....
$80 bucks is a good mark, on special at the moment through most "autopro", "Supercheap","autobarn" shops... check the catalouges out

long handle shovel or spade.....
get a decent one, bout $20 - 30 bucks... should fit across the back of ya 4x4... if not cut the handle down so it does.

3 metres of 8mm chain with a hook on each end...
this is for towing not snatching, I run 4 chains of different lengths and they have all seen use. $40 is about the mark here, mitre 10, bunnings, etc etc

A plug in 12 volt work light....
one that either plugs into the cigerette lighter of clips onto the battery terminals... a MUST have if ya 4x4ing at night and is handy for those brakedowns at night.... ever tried to change a flat tyre in total darkness ??
I use a simple thing that uses a indicator globe.... cost $4.00 !!!

this is what I'd call a basic recovery kit, you'd add bits from here after a winch is fitted or other mods done..... but this is a good start.

and your in luck ........ ITS XMAS TIME... so put ya "I wants" in now !!!

Strange... been using a no name one for probably 40 or 50 recoveries now....

It depends... many of the "lesser names" are manufactured at the same place... one of the supercheap ones was actually very high recommendation and was the same manufacturer as the winning Kaymar strap - most of them are made under licence - ARB don't make their own, nor do TJM. All they do is sell the product with their sticker on it.

What you need to look for is does it look like it's good or not. The stitching is often the first thing to break so check that out. Covers over the end of the straps, quality of material etc. If you aren't sure stay with the known brands. The Opposite lock, ARB etc.

After the test debarcle, ARB offer a 5 year warranty I think now... unconditional no questions asked and covers straps sold previously. They may charge like wounded bulls but it's at least good of them to back their product like that.

The other thing to consider is how you use it and what you use it for.... When I have to pull out the bigger trucks a few more times then I'll probably break one of the straps - I have a 9000kg 6m and a 4500kg 10m one (backup or where a long distance recovery is the only option). Of course everyone else we go out with has their own strap (s) too. Being mechanically sensitive, not dragging the strap along the ground,running over it, or leaving it wet and smelly for weeks at a time helps too....

When you're pulling out 1000kg of zuk or feroza anything will do the job... a length of cotton maybe?


If you go round pulling LWB Patrols out then you'd better a) buy a bigger 4wd and b) at least have a 11000kg rated strap.

Buy a decent set of rated shackles and some rated hooks are good too if you have a place to fit them but many of the small 4bys dont.

Best thing to remember - recovery gear can break so make sure people stand clear.......

If you think you're gonna need to exert too much force to get out, then do some roadbuilding.... logs, rocks, the shovel and pick..... No point putting 10000kg strain through the strap into your poor little Feroza - you may bend the chassis, rip the towbar/bullbar/recovery/cabin point off.

Don't laugh (unless you're watching it happen to someone else) - too many twits do it.

This is why it's really good to be in a club to learn this stuff in relative safety.

Be sure that you unless it's an emergency, only accept a recovery from people who know what they are doing (ie people you go out 4wding with and not a car full of pi55ed up yobbos).

Steer clear of the cheap straps, most of these do not have enough elasticity to create the desired snatching effect, around 20% elasticity is what you want. The cheaper versions usually have around 10%, which will be a little hard on your recovery points, especially in such a small vehicle. Go with a name brand strap.

The Black Rat had the greatest stretch (23%) in the 4WD Monthly test, most others were 20% from memory.

murcod wrote:The Black Rat had the greatest stretch (23%) in the 4WD Monthly test, most others were 20% from memory.

I don't think that 3% is that important!

QLDGAL!!

It is all well and good to get all the stuff but you need to make sure that you have good strong recovery points (Front and rear)!!

If the question is what do you need for a basic recovery than all you need is a TWO snatch straps and 2 rated shackles. (Kiss). For a beginer the most off putting thing is being in a UNBALANCED rig, hence the reason for the second strap, if you are stuck in a Off-camber situation it is handy (and reasuring) to strap off to a fixed item such as a tree off to the side to prevent the vehicle from tipping (or feeling like its gunna tip). Also how many times have people been stuck on a hill or in mud and the recovery vehicle CANNOT get traction due to it being on the hill or in the Mud due to the strap been to short!

The first aid kit and everything else is common sense really!

Then go out with some experienced wheelers (note Experienced, not KNOW it alls) and play around until you get stuck, get them to show you how and why a strap works and how it is used!

Over time you will see the need for other recovery equipment as you become more confident off-road.

Hi-Lift anyone? Got two of them in the back ALWAYS!

Some of the results from that test:

Winner:
Kaymar 8000kg (dry- 9288kg; wet 8681kg; 20% stretch)

Runner Up:
Bushranger 8000kg (dry- 8679kg; wet- 8281kg; 15% stretch)

Highly Recommended:
Mean Green 8000kg
Terrain Tamer 11000kg
Megastrap 8000kg
Super Cheap Auto 8000kg
Black Rat 8000kg (best stretch in 8000kg class - 23%)

Recommended:
Megastrap 11000kg (best stretch in 11000kg class- 24%)
Mean Green 10000kg

NOT RECOMMEMDED:
Terrain Tamer 8000kg
Ox 8000kg
Repco Motorguard 7500kg
Megastrap 9500kg
ARB 8000kg
ARB 11000kg
Super Cheap Auto 9000kg

*** Highly Recommended- exceeded load rating before breaking (dry) and exceeded 90% of rating before breaking when wet.

Recommended- Exceeded (or be close to) the rated load and exceed 85% of load when wet.

NOT RECOMMENDED- failed to come within reasonable margin of rated load and continued to under perform in the wet tests.



Out of interest the Supercheap Auto 9000kg broke at only 3798kg dry and was by far the worst performer.

ARB 8000kg broke at 6803kg dry and 7044kg wet; 11000kg broke at 8495kg dry and 8966kg wet.

Hopefully there's no typos in all of that!

DiscoDino wrote:Hi-Lift anyone? Got two of them in the back ALWAYS!

Yes i agree a High-Lift is handy, it can be used just to lift a rig and chock the tyres to winching by hand!

BUT

where the hell is she going to as a Jack Point!

No Side steeps, no Heavy duty rear bar!


I for one would NOT like to see someone with little 4WDing experience using one of these!

This is what to expect when one of the "lesser" known brand snatch straps break !
The impact moved the rear tailgate in by 150mm and the only thing that prevented from going in further was the recoverybox in the back.

The rear window was open at the time, although the glass woulnd't have stopped it at all ( there were marks from the muddy strap on the inner side of the glass )...... had the impact been 200mm higher I would be wearing the strap around my head !!!

This impact was from the strap ONLY.... the "D" shackle was still on the other vehicle along with 600mm of strap !!!

The tailgate could not be opened till I returned home... I had to use a 150mm piece of heavy wall angle and a drag chain ( attached to a sturdy tree ) to "straighten" the tailgate frame enuff to open it !!

The strap that did this cost $49.95....
The repair to the tailgate alone was 10 times that !
My desire to hook on another strap was after that accident... forget it !

My tailgate is better than new now and the outer skin was pressed up from 1.6mm sheet steel.... almost double the std thickness, and yes I will be fitting a barrier to the back of my rig b4 the 4x4 "season" starts !

Like a couple of others said ...."you dont need a strap that is designed for a larger 4x4" .... but when ya stuck in a boghole and that crossmember is hooked up on an unseen rock ....... you may never use it whilst owning the suzi, but one day you may go for a larger 4x4.......ask ya self "is the strap ya using gunna cut it !!!!"

Torch: Petzel Zoom -> that way you wont drool down your torch while you change your tyre. Cost about $80 from a decent outdoor shop, rays, snowgum, pallin... in my experience go for the $10 duracell battery aswell, lasts twice - 3 times aslong as the AA's, which will be about 20 hrs of continous use. These torches are really tough, and can handle plenty of water!

If not, someting like a 2/3 D Cell mag will float around in your car nicely... and can be used to humanely put down a poor kangaroo, lets hope that really does not have to happen. Morbid yes, but it can happen..


Like everyone says... you get what u pay for, save up and buy the best you can, and things will last you twice aslong as the cheap stuff.

Buy only the name brand gear but always be careful about how you clean and store it, nothing will stuff up recovery gear (good or bad) faster than a lack of maintenance