Magazine snatch strap test - ARB letter

[bazzle]

Picked up a flyer from an ARB counter and scanned in the text FYI

......................................................

To our valued customers,

Regular readers of Australian 4WD Monthly may recall reading the article that appeared in the September 2003 issue, titled Breaking Point.

This article took 16 different snatch straps and tested each one to see how it performed in relation to its specified rating. The magazine stated on the front cover that "the results will shock you". On reading the article, no one was more surprised than us.

ARB has been in the snatch strap business for over 20 years. During this period we have used several suppliers, but our objectives have always been the same... to offer a premium product at a value for money price. All ARB snatch straps are Australian made, and are randomly tested by a NATA accredited laboratory to ensure they meet our high standards. Tests have been performed as recently as August 1, 2003, where the straps performed well over the stated breaking strength.

This test data reflects our experience with straps that are being used in the field, as we have had no abnormal failures reported to us. Sold around the world, ARB snatch straps enjoy an enviable reputation for quality and performance, as

demonstrated only recently at the 2003 Outback Challenge where the ARB strap was the favoured choice amongst competitors. Widely regarded as the nation's toughest 4X4 event, not one failure was reported.

We have approached our current supplier of snatch straps for an explanation as to how our straps could have performed unsatisfactorily. They have informed us that the only possible

explanation lies with human error in the stitching process with the test samples. in fact, the supplier has informed us that other straps that were featured in the test, which performed better than the ARB strap, are in fact made on exactly the same production line.

We apologise for any inconvenience this matter may cause our customers. Rest assured ARB is taking immediate measures to ensure this unfortunate supply problem is corrected. From September 2003 the stitching process on ARB snatch straps will be automated, eliminating the possibility of human error at this stage of the manufacturing process.

We understand that customers who have purchased straps from us may have concerns. For this reason, effective immediately, we are extending the warranty on all ARB snatch straps to five (5) years. This warranty is retrospective, covering straps already purchased from us.

In the meantime, ARB will do everything possible to ensure this exceptional situation is never repeated, and assure you of our ongoing commitment in striving to offer Australian four wheel drivers the very best products at a value for money price.

if you have any further concerns, and require more information on this matter, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us at any of the stores listed overleaf.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Brown (Director) & the dedicated team at ARB ARB Corporation Ltd.

[Drafty]

, as demonstrated only recently at the 2003 Outback Challenge where the ARB strap was the favoured choice amongst competitors. Widely regarded as the nation's toughest 4X4 event, not one failure was reported.

I'd like to know where they got this info from.

Throughout the whole 6 days of competition l only saw 1 snatch strap used and this was to tow us when we ran out of fuel 2km's out of packsadle.

Joe

[grimbo]

but it didn't fail did it


Good to see that they are taking a proactive response rather than a) head in the sand ignore it approach or b) denial, denial, denial.

[Singo17]

, as demonstrated only recently at the 2003 Outback Challenge where the ARB strap was the favoured choice amongst competitors. Widely regarded as the nation's toughest 4X4 event, not one failure was reported.

I'd like to know where they got this info from.

Throughout the whole 6 days of competition l only saw 1 snatch strap used and this was to tow us when we ran out of fuel 2km's out of packsadle.

Joe

Still regardless they have put their balls on the line and will honor a 5 year warranty which I guess is every snatch they sold since 1998 on could be replaced if this stitching fails. Which means that potentially this deal will last for ten because it will take five to cover sold up to today and five after that if they change the warranty for those sold up until then.

Says a couple of things they really believe that the shit they sell is for the most good so they would only expect those with faulty stitching to turn up. They really want to offer good after sales service which in this day and age is unusual.

My dealings with them in the general touring mod catergory has been very good. None of the kit I have off them has failed or looks like failing (I dont have thier strap stuff).

I am not defending them and really they could of just ignored this issue if they wanted to. Big Company prolly coulda if they wanted to but yeah your point is a good but if I sponsored the event I see this slight exageration or manipulation of information as a play on words which every good spin doctor worth his salt would do and it is guys like you and other who know the real deal.

The letter will work a treat for the weekend tourers who prolly never use the standard snatch and two shackles in their ARB basic kit cept on the 2 day offroad driving course they attended.

[bogged]

This would be one of the same mags that has light tests, one week brand A wins, and Z last, next mag has Z winnning and A last.



Dont believe any of it personally... Specially Yota Mthly.

[-Mick-]

I had a good laugh when I read this
I was desperate to get a new snatchie and could only get to super cheap before hittin the beach, where I was sure I'd only get something crap that'd do for a while.

I wound up buying a kaymar I think it is there which was the winner in the comparison test
It's been friggin good too, came as a shock to me.

[Singo17]

I had a good laugh when I read this
I was desperate to get a new snatchie and could only get to super cheap before hittin the beach, where I was sure I'd only get something crap that'd do for a while.

I wound up buying a kaymar I think it is there which was the winner in the comparison test
It's been friggin good too, came as a shock to me.

Really though it is just a synthetic fibre constructed to store and release potential energy imparted on it by a 4WD anything that is made here is prolly made by the same or a few primary producers of that type of material.

I am with bruce on this one I mean I always sort of saw the mag that way but I good example was the 4.8GU up against the V8 yota when the GU come out. It won then about 4 or five issues later when there was a V8 update and it wasn't really an update just that yota started to advertise because nissan was stealing sales they have another comparo and the yota wins. Crock of shyt if ya ask me. I would take niether but for a dummy new buyer what the fug is he supposed to think.

Goes back to buy the thing ya like find out whats crap with it after you got it and take it to a customiser shop and fix it. It is what we all do anyway.

[Ben]

This would be one of the same mags that has light tests, one week brand A wins, and Z last, next mag has Z winnning and A last.



Dont believe any of it personally... Specially Yota Mthly.

Dunno about that, in today's particularly litigious society, I'm pretty sure the mag would have the evidence to support their claims.

Where as a light test, unless done under controlled circumstances (ie measure the wattage, output, distance, etc scientifically) is more prone to personal opinion.

[bogged]

someone start a poll here to see what straps people here have....

[bazzle]

I'd like to know where they got this info from.

Throughout the whole 6 days of competition l only saw 1 snatch strap used and this was to tow us when we ran out of fuel 2km's out of packsadle.

Joe

I suppose you also saw all the other cometitiors on all the other stages at the same time too?

Bazzle

[grimbo]

I always sort of saw the mag that way but I good example was the 4.8GU up against the V8 yota when the GU come out. It won then about 4 or five issues later when there was a V8 update and it wasn't really an update just that yota started to advertise because nissan was stealing sales they have another comparo and the yota wins. Crock of shyt if ya ask me. .

Of course things are going to be different when you are relying on human input. If the testers were different, if the weather was different, the supplied cars may have had faults etc etc the results will vary. Comparos by nature are just opinions that are drawn from figures and experience so will vary each time.

[murcod]

Maybe 4WD Monthly should have bought more than one example of each strap and run the same tests multiple times? This would show up any problems with quality control from one strap to the next.

Who knows, they may have just happened to get a "good" one for the strap that won?

Oh yeah, good on ARB for standing by their product and extending the warranty.

[CRUSHU]

I always sort of saw the mag that way but I good example was the 4.8GU up against the V8 yota when the GU come out. It won then about 4 or five issues later when there was a V8 update and it wasn't really an update just that yota started to advertise because nissan was stealing sales they have another comparo and the yota wins. Crock of shyt if ya ask me. .

Of course things are going to be different when you are relying on human input. If the testers were different, if the weather was different, the supplied cars may have had faults etc etc the results will vary. Comparos by nature are just opinions that are drawn from figures and experience so will vary each time.

from what i remember, there were two guys testing together, over a weekend, on a test machine, not with cars

[murcod]

I always sort of saw the mag that way but I good example was the 4.8GU up against the V8 yota when the GU come out. It won then about 4 or five issues later when there was a V8 update and it wasn't really an update just that yota started to advertise because nissan was stealing sales they have another comparo and the yota wins. Crock of shyt if ya ask me. .

Of course things are going to be different when you are relying on human input. If the testers were different, if the weather was different, the supplied cars may have had faults etc etc the results will vary. Comparos by nature are just opinions that are drawn from figures and experience so will vary each time.

from what i remember, there were two guys testing together, over a weekend, on a test machine, not with cars

Yes it was all done in a NATA certified lab on a hydraulic test bed controlled by a PC. Each strap was cut in half with half soaked in water for 24hrs to get the "wet" figure. All the tests were carried out to the approved standards.

[grimbo]

Maybe 4WD Monthly should have bought more than one example of each strap and run the same tests multiple times? This would show up any problems with quality control from one strap to the next.

Who knows, they may have just happened to get a "good" one for the strap that won?

Oh yeah, good on ARB for standing by their product and extending the warranty.

But the average Joe only goes in and buys 1 at a time. So it reflects the randomness of purchasing a product. As you said it may be a one off but that is the chance a purchaser runs as well

[ISUZUROVER]

Maybe 4WD Monthly should have bought more than one example of each strap and run the same tests multiple times? This would show up any problems with quality control from one strap to the next.

Who knows, they may have just happened to get a "good" one for the strap that won?

Oh yeah, good on ARB for standing by their product and extending the warranty.

But the average Joe only goes in and buys 1 at a time. So it reflects the randomness of purchasing a product. As you said it may be a one off but that is the chance a purchaser runs as well

That is a load of crap Grimbo - As someone who does research/testing for a living you need to work on averages - so multiple samples would have been much better (at least 3 of each strap). Not only will testing multiple samples give you an overall average of when the strap will break, the range between the samples will give you an idea of the quality control/uniformity in the manufacturing process - which is what you are talking about.

I would much rather buy a strap that will fail at over the rated break load in 85% of samples that one which will break under all the time.

One point I noticed from the article - again this is where averages helped - that the straps MANUFACTURED by the company that made the kaymar and expensive super cheap one (forget the name at the moment) performed the best over all.

[CRUSHU]

it is pointless if a company is so inconsistant in its quality that it has a few good straps and a few shit ones, it would suck if i happened to buy the good one, and one of you guys bought the crap one. that is why it was not biased, it was just straps off the shelf, the ones we were about to buy.

[murcod]

it is pointless if a company is so inconsistant in its quality that it has a few good straps and a few shit ones, it would suck if i happened to buy the good one, and one of you guys bought the crap one. that is why it was not biased, it was just straps off the shelf, the ones we were about to buy.

Don't you think it would be good to know if there is a lot of variation?!

You could buy the strap Brand X that won only to end up with a dud.... Seems to me like they skimped a bit to save money on the test.

[big red]

i think ARB has done a good thing, admit theres a fault, offer a longer warranty and repair the problem.
I've been waiting to see that test before i bought a new strap and now i reckon ARB could be a good choice as they will go out of the way to make sure its right

[v8grunt]

the test equipment is supplied as requested by 4xd monthly and the men who test these thing are not plucked from the bondi beach dole office. the test is a good thing if it's rite or wrong, it draws attention to an important safety issue. ARB will look at improveing what they believe was a top class product. we will all win with each supplier more aware of quality control

just my 20 cents worth.

glen

[CRUSHU]

the test equipment is supplied as requested by 4xd monthly and the men who test these thing are not plucked from the bondi beach dole office. the test is a good thing if it's rite or wrong, it draws attention to an important safety issue. ARB will look at improveing what they believe was a top class product. we will all win with each supplier more aware of quality control

just my 20 cents worth.

glen

i agree

[MUSS]

so what do we do if we own one of these snatchems????? im almost scared to usem lmao

[CJer]

so what do we do if we own one of these snatchems????? im almost scared to usem lmao

You could always cut them in half, and go buy new and inproved ARB ones

[MUSS]

we should either get a refund for them or free exchange i recon... nowthat the old ones are proven to be "not reccomended" they are useless... so much for quality and name huh lol

[POS]

we should either get a refund for them or free exchange i recon... nowthat the old ones are proven to be "not reccomended" they are useless... so much for quality and name huh lol

Jake, what are you on about!!

Think about it!

ARB have stood by thier product and have extended the warantee to 5 YEARS, i don't see any of the OTHER "Not Recommended" straps standing up and offering the same service!

Mate EVERY time you use a SNATCH STRAP it shouldn't matter if it breaks as YOU SHOULD BE DOING THE RIGHT THING and CONTROL ALL the SAFTY factors!!!

If it breaks, nothing MAJOR will happen (if you use it SAFELY) other than the RIG still being STUCK, thats why you carry TWO!!!!!

I have an ARB snatch strap and have abused it quite hard for about three years and no problem, $20.00 a year NOT BAD VALUE!!!!!

[ausyota]

umm POS I think he was being sarcastic

[MUSS]

yeah sorry pos it was intended to be sarcastic cant use "emoticons" for some reason?????

[MUSS]

yeah sorry pos it was intended to be sarcastic cant use "emoticons" for some reason????? as for the straps i own 4 (you can never have too many... and yes i use them safely and correctly and in the right manner have done for years now not every one in townsville are cowboys lmao

[Singo17]

Interesting to note though that both ARB straps perform better Wet so if the stitching were fixed it would be interesting to see them do it again.

[ISUZUROVER]

An important thing to remember is that most of us would only be putting 2-3 times the weight of the vehicle being recovered on the strap each use - which should be well below the break load of the tested straps (not the cheapo 6tonne ones though).

So if you have a 2tonne 4x4 your strap should only be seeing 4-6tonne each recovery. just check the stitching regularly and make sure it looks OK.