Kinetic Recovery Rope Diameter - What's Appropriate

[Kodiak]

I see these listed with a Lb rating but I do not know if you are only to consider the weight of the vehicle you are trying to pull out, or if you need to combine both the stuck vehicle and pull vehicle to determine what is needed.

It seems like 7/8 or 1 inch is needed but I have zero experience with them. In the olden days you just grabbed any rope you had and hoped that it would not break, but there are more safety options now.

A pickup truck that might be in the 7k Lb range would probably be the largest thing I would try to pull but "overkill" is always a good option to me. Also a quality product is always money well spent.

What are your thoughts or experiences with these.

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[Ry55]

I'll be shopping for one of these as well soon and have the same question. A little overkill is good but I don't want to pay for more load than I need, plus the bulk.

 

[My 2ND Ford]

Yankum ropes list 7/8 inch for most 1/2 ton and 1 inch for 3/4 and 1 ton. They are used by a lot of recovery outfits. From what I have seen, kinetic ropes should not be used as tow rope, only to yank them out.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Yankum ropes list 7/8 inch for most 1/2 ton and 1 inch for 3/4 and 1 ton. They are used by a lot of recovery outfits. From what I have seen, kinetic ropes should not be used as tow rope, only to yank them out.

Agreed. They are intended to get someone/thing unstuck.

I do like the snake names Yankum used for their ropes.

https://yankum.com/collections/kinetic-recovery-ropes

 

[JohnMcClane]

I am not opposed to spending for a quality product, but I would hope no one complains if I unstuck them with a 2” badland strap from HF.

 

[Captain Chaos]

We use a 7/8 for pickup trucks.
And use a 5/8 for the buggy.
If you use too big, it doesn't stretch, and negates the reason for using a stretch rope in the first place. They work really well for sand or mud, hook up, leave some slack, and punch it. There is no hard jerk, the rope stretches and absorbs the shock, but by the time that happens, the tow vehicle has some momentum and doesn't get stuck.

 

[Kodiak]

We use a 7/8 for pickup trucks.
And use a 5/8 for the buggy.
If you use too big, it doesn't stretch, and negates the reason for using a stretch rope in the first place. They work really well for sand or mud, hook up, leave some slack, and punch it. There is no hard jerk, the rope stretches and absorbs the shock, but by the time that happens, the tow vehicle has some momentum and doesn't get stuck.

Wonderful! You can't beat real life experience so thanks for replying.

 

[Hemmy]

Here is a good starter kit for anyone looking. This is a 1" rope with a pair of soft shackles and bag. Make sure you use soft shackles if you are ever pulling anybody out. Last thing you want is for something to give way and a hard shackle or hitch to come flying at you or the person you are pulling out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X9Y184M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A320BE2V1QR0G5&psc=1

 

[Captain Chaos]

Yes, that is another great point, use soft shackles!!

 

[travisN000]

I bought a 100% nylon snatch strap instead of a rope, mostly because it was cheaper, longer, and does the same thing, but also because it rolls up smaller, neat and tidy. I've used it to pull multiple vehicles out bad spots, and also a couple of down trees (use cheap HF tree straps as sacrificial parts for high friction locations). IIRC ropes do have a bit more stretch, maybe up to 30 percent, vs 22 percent for the strap. If a slow pull doesn't work, adding 5-10 mph is usually plenty; I've never had to put the pedal down. I also highly recommend soft shackles.

https://www.amazon.com/ALL-TOP-Nylon-Recovery-Snatch-Strap/dp/B07597WW53

 

[Calson]

In most situations it helps to accelerate the pulling vehicle with a little slack in the snatch strap to break a stuck vehicle loose. I have a 20K snatch strap so it can be used with a 7,000 lb vehicle. For anything heavier I leave for commercial recovery people who have the equipment and the insurance.

 

[travisN000]

Good video on what to use / not use..

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