Recovery gear deep dive: shackles, straps and kinetic ropes, what to buy!

[FilmcoBronci]

Snatch strap is an interesting item as they are the in-between option. Depending on brand and actual construction I wouldn't use it as a kenetic rope but just as a strap.

Depending on what you bought you shouldn't damage anything if you don't hammer down when using it.

Quick note. This thread is outstanding, thanks for launching it.

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[604Bronco]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality pre-packaged recovery kit? I would like a one-stop shop with the key items, including soft shackles.

Any links to recommendations would be appreciated! Even better if you've used a kit that you recommend, that has held up well for you.

Thank you.

 

[Ninjak]

With 604Bronco. I have a Warn winch but I do not have any REAL recovery gear. I have gloves, a rope, and a chain. Now that I am going out on trails more, I need to purchase real gear.

Thank you for this thread, as I am a beginner and noob when it comes to this subject. Very good and interesting information in this thread. Now I just need to know where to buy and what to buy.

 

[BigBlue7]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality pre-packaged recovery kit? I would like a one-stop shop with the key items, including soft shackles.

Any links to recommendations would be appreciated! Even better if you've used a kit that you recommend, that has held up well for you.

Thank you.

looking for a similar “starter” kit

 

[timbal1963]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality pre-packaged recovery kit? I would like a one-stop shop with the key items, including soft shackles.

Any links to recommendations would be appreciated! Even better if you've used a kit that you recommend, that has held up well for you.

Thank you.

I have had good luck with these guys.
Recovery Gear - Off-Roading Recovery Gear | Mile Marker – Mile Marker Industries

 

[604Bronco]

I have had good luck with these guys.
Recovery Gear - Off-Roading Recovery Gear | Mile Marker – Mile Marker Industries

Thanks - I'm looking for a kit with soft shackles included though. I have enough of the steel ones. Other than that, looks like a good option.

Thank you.

 

[Figmo]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality pre-packaged recovery kit? I would like a one-stop shop with the key items, including soft shackles.

Any links to recommendations would be appreciated! Even better if you've used a kit that you recommend, that has held up well for you.

Thank you.

Here’s what I use. Good value for what you get.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195801611557

 

[cr117]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality pre-packaged recovery kit? I would like a one-stop shop with the key items, including soft shackles.

Any links to recommendations would be appreciated! Even better if you've used a kit that you recommend, that has held up well for you.

Thank you.

I went with this kit to get my collection started: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV19GMWJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

[Arokcrwlr]

Good recovery gear is not cheap. I have a couple different kinetic ropes and soft shackles that I carry. Here's a good example of good gear...
https://www.factor55.com/p-vehicle-recovery-kit-baja-00490

I would also add a pulley
https://www.factor55.com/p-rope-retention-pulley-00260

Of course, you can find cheaper products, but I wouldn't cheap out too much.

 

[Snacktime]

Fyi after the last snow wheeling trip I had to restock! Got a fresh set of shackles, had one go missing and why I tend to buy cheaper recovery gear. Also replaced my kinetic rope due to lack of stretch with my 2009 Masterpull lol.

Got $50 burning a hole in your pocket? Go buy a soft shackles or tree saver!

 

[BroncoAZ]

Good recovery gear is not cheap. I have a couple different kinetic ropes and soft shackles that I carry. Here's a good example of good gear...
https://www.factor55.com/p-vehicle-recovery-kit-baja-00490

I would also add a pulley
https://www.factor55.com/p-rope-retention-pulley-00260

Of course, you can find cheaper products, but I wouldn't cheap out too much.

I don’t see good value in the Factor 55 kit, it’s too much money for a perceived glitzy name in offroad products. I’m not saying their products aren’t fine, but a 30‘ kinetic rope and two soft shackle isn’t worth $565. You can get kits from bubba rope or ASR for $325, both are considered top brands.

https://www.bubbarope.com/gear-sets/bubba-off-road-truck-recovery-gear-set#184=84

https://www.asroffroad.com/7-8-kine...-rope-soft-shackles-premium-bag-gloves-guide/

Personally I carry less expensive recovery gear that has served me well for decades. If it gets damaged I have no issue replacing it as needed. I would rather have gear that is easily replaced if it gets damaged rather than wanting to hang on to aging gear because it cost so much when I bought it. I have Allied brand tow straps with red dirt from Sedona or Moab embedded in them that I purchased in the late 1990’s that were $20 back then and still work fine. I used one last year to pull a stump in the yard with a Cat 289. For my Bronco and Tacoma that will likely need to give or receive recovery on the beach I carry a Grip On 20’x7/8” kinetic rope, Amazon sourced 1/2” soft shackles, a 20’ tow strap, and a Glock E tool (shovel). I don’t keep it in a bag, I store it in the compartment under the rear floor and around the jack. It can never be forgotten or left behind if it never leaves the truck. These are the products I carry in each truck, ~$150 plus tax and will handle 90% of recoveries. I do have an $80 set of traction boards I throw in the Tacoma for the beach, they don’t fit well in the Bronco.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grip-20-x-7-8-kinetic-tow-rope/t32116

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y1XN4ML/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Pol...ve&sprefix=recovery+strap,aps,142&sr=1-5&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Glock-Entrenching-Tool-Saw-Pouch/dp/B000KOOUOS

I’m not saying go buy cheap crap, what I am saying is that 99% of the time there won’t be a functional difference on things like synthetic rope or nylon strapping. Both products are heavily used in industrial applications and well tested lower cost alternatives are readily available. The offroad industry didn’t invent synthetic winch rope, they adapted it from industrial marine applications. I still purchased a Warn M8000S winch and Diode Dynamics lights for my truck as there is a significant difference on those products compared to the cheapies.

 

[Snacktime]

Factory 55 is on another level of quality, you pick it up and immediately tell its going to last a long time. If I was using soft shackles every day the easy of use alone would justify factory 55.

Normal people who don't do recovery for a living or hang their life from a winch cable can get away with normal gear.

I am going to go watch how to make a soft shackle. I want to do the soft shackle winch lead mod.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I don’t see good value in the Factor 55 kit, it’s too much money for a perceived glitzy name in offroad products. I’m not saying their products aren’t fine, but a 30‘ kinetic rope and two soft shackle isn’t worth $565. You can get kits from bubba rope or ASR for $325, both are considered top brands.

https://www.bubbarope.com/gear-sets/bubba-off-road-truck-recovery-gear-set#184=84

https://www.asroffroad.com/7-8-kine...-rope-soft-shackles-premium-bag-gloves-guide/

Personally I carry less expensive recovery gear that has served me well for decades. If it gets damaged I have no issue replacing it as needed. I would rather have gear that is easily replaced if it gets damaged rather than wanting to hang on to aging gear because it cost so much when I bought it. I have Allied brand tow straps with red dirt from Sedona or Moab embedded in them that I purchased in the late 1990’s that were $20 back then and still work fine. I used one last year to pull a stump in the yard with a Cat 289. For my Bronco and Tacoma that will likely need to give or receive recovery on the beach I carry a Grip On 20’x7/8” kinetic rope, Amazon sourced 1/2” soft shackles, a 20’ tow strap, and a Glock E tool (shovel). I don’t keep it in a bag, I store it in the compartment under the rear floor and around the jack. It can never be forgotten or left behind if it never leaves the truck. These are the products I carry in each truck, ~$150 plus tax and will handle 90% of recoveries. I do have an $80 set of traction boards I throw in the Tacoma for the beach, they don’t fit well in the Bronco.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grip-20-x-7-8-kinetic-tow-rope/t32116

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y1XN4ML/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Polyester-Towing-Protective-Sleeves/dp/B08GP8F8WY/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2W8Q2HI5U7VZK&keywords=Recovery+strap&qid=1707309429&refinements=p_72:1248861011&rnid=1248859011&s=automotive&sprefix=recovery+strap,aps,142&sr=1-5&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Glock-Entrenching-Tool-Saw-Pouch/dp/B000KOOUOS

I’m not saying go buy cheap crap, what I am saying is that 99% of the time there won’t be a functional difference on things like synthetic rope or nylon strapping. Both products are heavily used in industrial applications and well tested lower cost alternatives are readily available. The offroad industry didn’t invent synthetic winch rope, they adapted it from industrial marine applications. I still purchased a Warn M8000S winch and Diode Dynamics lights for my truck as there is a significant difference on those products compared to the cheapies.

I totally agree. I was was using F55 as an example of good quality gear. I just wouldn't cheap out too much. My ropes and soft shackles are from Yankum, but I do have F55 pulleys and a winch hook. $300 - $400 for a kit is acceptable to me... The cheaper Amazon stuff is probably ok - I'm pretty gentle with my stuff. I see folks getting a 20ft run with a kinetic rope and I cringe...

 

[Apollo]

I think this is a great thread. A couple of points I would like to stress for safety. Always know your weak point in the system and understand what will happen with a failure. And be very cognizant of damaged gear a chafed rope or strap is the most likely point of failure.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I totally agree. I was was using F55 as an example of good quality gear. I just wouldn't cheap out too much. My ropes and soft shackles are from Yankum, but I do have F55 pulleys and a winch hook. $300 - $400 for a kit is acceptable to me... The cheaper Amazon stuff is probably ok - I'm pretty gentle with my stuff. I see folks getting a 20ft run with a kinetic rope and I cringe...

What I’m trying to encourage is that everyone have some basic recovery gear in their rig, and that it doesn’t have to be high dollar to work as needed. Plenty of guys are really happy with their Smittybuilt winch. They generally get the job done when called upon and aren’t unsafe, but they don’t have the prestige of an American manufactured (maybe assembled) Warn. I would rather come across someone on the trail with a comprehensive $150 kit as I laid out than a single expensive piece of Gucci kit and they’re saving up to buy the rest.

I wouldn’t hesitate to spend $1,000 (or $10,000) on recovery gear if I thought it would make my recoveries safer or reduce the chance of injury or if I were using the gear daily or weekly. The reality is that most of us will yes this gear 1-2 times per year if we’re lucky. I’m sure someone who feels the same way about ditch lights might say the same about the $300 lights on my rig, thinking I could use cheaper Amazon chicom lights to get the look while saving money. They may not be wrong, but where to spend is everyone’s individual choice.

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