My Chevy Diesel pulling a tractor trailer uphill in the snow

[Tim K]

We had a shipment going out today, and the driver showed up on our show filled road with exactly one tire chain. We're at the bottom of a pretty steep hill, and he got himself buried. The guy looked like he was 18 years old with his cap on sideways and has pants hanging down. After watching him struggle for 30 minutes, we took pity on him and I pulled him up the 1/2 mile hill with my GMC. Pretty funny to watch. The strap was one of those stretchy deals (Thanks Zack O for rolling in with it with zero notice), something I'd never used before. I'll be buying one tomorrow.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=vJwlt_8oeuo&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvJwlt_8oeuo%26feature%3 Dyoutube_gdata_player

[gnihcraes]

I like it. Saia, not sure about their drivers sometimes. Not the smartest bunch. (my experience)

[spleify]

Thats awesome! Nice owrk

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Awesome. Forget Chevy vs ford. Now it's Chevy vs Volvo.

[Irving]

Good thing it wasn't a Toureg.

[tmleadr03]

Good thing it wasn't a Toureg.

Pulling the other way...

[asmo]

I cant imagine taking a semi down your streets on a good day.. Crazy.

[Mazin]

Nice!

[O2HeN2]

The strap was one of those stretchy deals...

More details on the "stretchy deal" please, been thinking about buying one for awhile and would like more information...

O2

[roberth]

Kewl

What kind of tow strap/ stretchy thing is that?

[Zach O]

More details on the "stretchy deal" please, been thinking about buying one for awhile and would like more information...

O2
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-Winch-Accessories/Tow-Strap.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=190&t_pt=5083&Manufacturer_AMAN=Pro+Comp+Suspension
Pro Comp Recovery strap.
Not sure which one we used. It was the 3" or 4". I have had it for years and love it. Like Tim said, it has elastic properties so you can really jerk on it if need be. I will never use another chain! Awesome investment.

[kawiracer14]

is it the ARB ones? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P9DQLC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14SRSERRRY06X&coliid=I1IZS1YFAO3QXM

[BuffCyclist]

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-Winch-Accessories/Tow-Strap.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=190&t_pt=5083&Manufacturer_AMAN=Pro+Comp+Suspension
Pro Comp Recovery strap.
Not sure which one we used. It was the 3" or 4". I have had it for years and love it. Like Tim said, it has elastic properties so you can really jerk on it if need be. I will never use another chain! Awesome investment.

While partially true, you are NOT supposed to jerk on it. They're called snatch straps and the way they work is that you take up the slack and then slowly start stretching it by driving forward. The potential energy built up within the strap by the elastic properties will reach a limit and then turn into kinetic energy, pulling the stuck vehicle.

The elastic fibers in them WEAR OUT and most of the better quality snatch straps have a color property built in, so that when that color shows up, you should stop using that strap immediately because it has been overstretched and will not function properly. I have two straps that i keep (one in vehicle) for uses other than vehicle recovery.

It is still a good practice with these straps to weigh down the strap with a heavy blanket or something so should it brake something off where it is attached, it doesn't turn the d-ring shackle into a projectile.

And for what its worth, I have 4 and have owned 6. I always carry a 2"x20' and a 3"x30' strap with me, along with about 6 shackles (4 larger, 2 smaller). I have towed a UPS Freight truck (the straight body, not tractor/trailer setup) out of a ditch when he slid into snow and the guy was impressed and glad that he didn't have to call a tow truck. Gave me a $5 even though I refused and said to buy myself a beer. Very nice guy [LOL].

Taken from: http://www.arb.com.au/getting-started/Recovery_Techniques_and_Equipment.php


NOTE: Excessive speed and continual jerking action whilst using a snatch strap may result in damage to the recovery point, chassis and drive line of both vehicles. Where proper use of the snatch strap is not successful, an appropriate sized recovery winch should be used.​

Here's another site that actually shows how to connect two straps together without a d-ring shackle: http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/car_advice/car_fact_sheets/snatch_straps

The recovery vehicle steadily accelerates forward at about 10 –12kph – a big ‘run and jerk’ shouldn’t be used. Steady momentum and strap elasticity does the job. As the slack in the strap just takes up, the stricken vehicle’s driver also attempts to drive out of the bog. Be smooth, avoid wheel spin and don’t use excessive speed or continual jerking.

Anyways, glad you had fun with it, they're amazing tools when used properly!

eta: I have used the yellow straps and the grey straps which I believe are pro-comp. They all work the same, but I know the yellow straps have the built in red elastic which shows when the strap has reached its limit.

[MED]

Cool Video!

It is amazing what can be done with these heavy duty diesel trucks. I absolutely love my Cummins dually.

[brutal]

The straps are great.

Everyone should carry an assisted or self-recovery kit.

I carry a 3x30, forgot brand but it's yellow and I'm pretty sure I got it from 4Wheel years ago. I also carry a heavy logging chain with hooks, a pair of leather gloves, and some HD D-ring shackles in a tool bag. If I'm heading out into the wilderness, the highlift jack and another bag with more chain, various pieces of heavy rope, like the 1" yellow nylon rope, old cut yank straps (yeah, there have been some cockups in the past), and if it's winter, the tire chains.

If I could justify the bumper and winch setup, I'd love to have one, but offroading my tow vehicle is not on my list of priorities.

[BigBear]

Send that in for a commercial promo, lol. Good work.