Would you recommend a tow strap or a snatch for recovery; and thoughts on hitch step?

[Kindafearless]

If you are buying a step, remember that a hitch step isn’t going to help you when your tailgate is down. There are some side steps that do well.

Having a hitch skid is super nice though

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[Uparms]

The Beaver Step looks super useful, but I spend the majority of my time in traffic and I thought backbone hitch step would provide greater surface are to deflect vs impale a rear ender‘s front bumper.

I bought because of the strength, the protection to my vehicle and the amount of time I spend in I-95 stop and go traffic. I am not on the road to be nice to anyone who rear ends my car. It's also great step.

 

[brianinca]

I've always kept a snatch strap and tow strap in the box, they're different. The Bubba rope I bought years ago went with the H2 the ex kept, I may pick up another of that type some day but the ARB is a comfortable alternative: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H5M6BM6/

I had a little anxiety over how much stretch the Bubba rope had, it's intentional with that style, but I had occasion to yank the H2 out of a meadow with my Ranger, and I didn't see the benefit of that much stretch.

BUT, a tow strap is a different kettle of fish, and has definite use cases that the ARB won't accommodate. I had a KILLER ProComp heavy tow strap for the H2, towed my ex-FIL's H2 back to pavement when it was disabled. I have a couple of these https://smile.amazon.com/TGL-Strap-Capacity-Reusable-Storage/dp/B017VQ8AN4/ for the Jeeps and they work great. MOSTLY for pulling trees out of the way, though I did pull a Land Rover off a thoroughfare once.

As a compromise between stretch and tow, I like the ARB 4x4 Accessories ARB705LB Recovery Snatch Strap Orange 30' x 2 3/8", Load capacity 17,600 lb, NATA approved, 20% Stretch... You can snatch somebody out with the 20% stretch, and you can still tow somebody out of the hills with it -- it does not stretch very easily. It is also flat and rolls up small, and fits perfectly behind the Drivers side back seat. You can find it on Amazon.

For the rear hitch skid, I have the original Skidmark hitch cover. It is extremely well built. https://www.skidmark4x4.com/

 

[LostWoods]

I had a little anxiety over how much stretch the Bubba rope had, it's intentional with that style, but I had occasion to yank the H2 out of a meadow with my Ranger, and I didn't see the benefit of that much stretch.

Try yanking something much larger than you that is stuck and not just without traction and you'll see. The difference between my ARB strap and my now Yankum rope is substantial each time I tried to tug a super duty. H2 is definitely up there but a dually bogged in mud really stretches out the rope.

 

[Hipbilly]

I’ve had the smittybilt step for almost 10yrs now on my FJ, it was immediately moved over to the gladiator and is great. Sliding the strap loop through the middle hole and looping it over the side hook is so fast, I never even used my shackles.
Usually just for pulling people up snowy hills and such…
I put skateboard tape on the top of it, and it makes a one step swing over into the bed.

Regarding a strap, I’ve been really looking at Matt’sRecovery Rope (a Yankum) and the toy Yellow Banana Jeep for the kid.
I’ve got a smittybilt recovery strap now, and it’s been fine.

Smittybilt 27046B Beaver Step for 2-Inch Hitch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K23KQ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_M9S6F532Q7CMZHGM0B3G

https://mattsoffroadrecovery.com/products/matts-recovery-rope

 

[MrJeep]

I have a Yankum / MORR kinetic rope and I can't tell you how much of a game changer it is over a static strap. It's worth the money, 100%, but it is harder to store. I keep it and a couple soft shackles behind the driver rear seat.
Instead of a jerk->stop its more of a fluid motion that transfers energy and is still pulling even if you stop.

 

[Hipbilly]

It’s definitely one chonky rope. I like how small the strap rolls, so I’ll probably keep it full time and grab the boing rope for outings….
FWIW, I was raised recovering and towing (and logging) with logging chains, so almost anything is better than that, I promise.

 

[RdFx21]

Fed Ex just delivered my Voodoo recovery rope and soft shackle this past week. I am pairing it with a tow strap and clevis stored under the back seat. The tow strap can be used as a bridle between the tow hooks on the bumpers.

 

[brianinca]

Well, aside from I don't wheel with people that drive dually's, I get what you're saying. I may buy a Matt's Recovery rope in the future just to have one. I'll live with my ARB in the meantime. Thank you for the information!

Try yanking something much larger than you that is stuck and not just without traction and you'll see. The difference between my ARB strap and my now Yankum rope is substantial each time I tried to tug a super duty. H2 is definitely up there but a dually bogged in mud really stretches out the rope.

 

[bastage]

I have a tow strap under the rear seat all the time.. If I am actually going off-roading or to help on a recovery I also have a Factor 55 kinetic energy rope.

 

[Stsdroog]

I keep a kinetic rope, soft shackles and a tree saver strap in my truck all year round. When I'm off-road or in the winter I keep 4 maxtrax with me. I'll probably put the maxtrax up on my rack and run them year round as soon as I get over all this lazy.

 

[LostWoods]

Well, aside from I don't wheel with people that drive dually's, I get what you're saying. I may buy a Matt's Recovery rope in the future just to have one. I'll live with my ARB in the meantime. Thank you for the information!

That's the exact rope I have now. Got one of the first batch and used it pretty soon after when monsoon season started up earlier this year. The ARB is probably the best strap type I've used and it never let me down but the extra energy in the rope is noticeable. I can't say it would be needed unless you have something super heavy or very stuck but I had been meaning to upgrade to a rope for some time. Figured I'd support someone that's given me hours of entertainment since I adblock everything.

 

[Hipbilly]

Santa dun did right!
Chonky indeed, but really nice.
I’ve been begging buddies to go get stuck….
And the eye just barely fits over the beaver step, freeing up the soft shackle for the working end, saving ~$60.

 

[MrJeep]

Santa dun did right!
Chonky indeed, but really nice.
I’ve been begging buddies to go get stuck….
And the eye just barely fits over the beaver step, freeing up the soft shackle for the working end, saving ~$60.

Ahh, just wait until you feel, or rather... do not, that first recovery pull behind you. #gamechanger

 

[S JEEPN]

The recovery ropes work well with more stretch to bungee others out but are more fragile. The recovery strap has been around a long time because it is more durable, can stand up to the elements and rolls up easily for storage. I see people using bungee ropes, a lot of Youtubers use soft shackles and bungee type ropes and they work great although never see them with ones that look like they have really been exposed to the environment and in use very long making me stick to carrying the recovery strap but either will get the job done.
The hitch step as mentioned how often do i need a step up with the tailgate closed a corner bed protector step would be more use full for climbing on and protecting the vulnerable corners off road. if i need to hook a recovery strap, winch hook whatever i would use one or both of the frame mounted hooks made for that or a removable hitch pull point, Dragging the receiver off road it will take it better than most hitch accessories, often the hitch does not stick out or hang as low as an accessory and may cost less to repair if damaged. The concept of using a hitch step for rear end protection in an accident, Transferring the force directly to the frame instead of distributing and absorbing the impact across the bumper and if severe into the zone designed to absorb it does not seem like a good reason for a hitch step.

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