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Tow Strap Technique

I'm interested in purchasing a tow strap to carry in the FT.  Although our Coachnet towing would be our primary extraction strategy if seriously stuck, I want to consider the option of a "tug" from our Jeep or a bigger 4x4 if we're only modestly stuck.  I'm thinking about a strap like this:

Amazon.com: RHINO USA Recovery Tow Strap 3" x 20ft - Lab Tested 31,518lb...

First, can this be safely done from the standpoint of the FT, presumably with the assistance of the coach running and in gear.

Second, where would the best attachment points be front and rear? 

Thanks

Randy

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Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #1 –
I carry a similar strap in my truck and have used it for various things but not sure I'd trust it for the FT. 
Following this for more info.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #2 –
We were with Ted and Karen and they got stuck in sand.  We hooked up my Jeep Cherokee, put it in 4WD, low range.  Ted gave it some pedal. I pulled as hard as I could with the Cherokee until the tires spun.  Didn't move Ted an inch.  His coach outweighed my Cherokee atleast 8 to 1.

The tow truck guy said he came to that State Park on Lake Michigan several times a year for stuck-in-the-sand.  The Big Boy showed up.  He knew just what to do.  It was a spectator sport.  Lift and pull did the trick.  Ted negotiated for a different site with the park folks. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #3 –
How topics can come back around. . . Here is a posting on towing from 15 years ago:

Log in

Log in

Photos are not available. Bars are inserted in frame members on both sides of generator, and hooked on end of frame. Two bars have a cross member out front that keeps bars from squeezing together when being pulled with a single cable.

A long chain with a hook that catches the rear of the frame could also work to give us a way to pull out from front. Same chain could also work in rear frame member that goes front to back.

We also carry a nylon 'yank' strap for pulling out our jeep. Idea is to stretch flat wide tow strap so fabric compression aids in quick pull.

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #4 –
Neal Pillsbury posted this image a few years back, showing a tow hook for the front of FTs.  These would hook into the frame as described above in BnC's post.  I keep thinking I may make one of these.
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #5 –
Hi Dave & Nancy,

Ours are similar, but have both ends welded instead of bolted. 

And they have been stored on the rear frame cross member for the last 15 years. 

We figured that a tow cable would tend to pull the two bars toward the center, putting sideways squeeze on the coach front frame members, so we made a bolt-on length of steel to keep the front end of the bars separate.

We also got the idea someone who made their bars after they got stuck.

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #6 –
Not sure how many coaches have these, but I have a 2 inch receiver tube on each side of the generator. Appears pretty substantial, it is welded to the house main frame. That is my drop receiver hitch in one of them.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #7 –
Auto Recovery Straps vs. Tow Straps

Recovery straps allow the use of the towing vehicle's momentum to preform minor miracles!
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #8 –
Long long ago we had 3 days of heavy rain in the so cal desert.  Slippery clay area.

Sunk a front tire on a 40 country coach, 

Raised the coach on firewood under the jacks and loading ramps under the tire.

Had a 86 Ford 4x4 pickup with big tires on it.

Low range hooked up in the back with wife driving the truck.

Full throttle floored on both the coach and truck for 60 seconds and the coach popped out of the hole.

Drove 4 miles on top of the concrete aquaduct to get to the main road then back to I15. 

No not recommended.  But more rain was coming.  Time to went
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #9 –
Quote from: jcus –
Not sure how many coaches have these, but I have a 2 inch receiver tube on each side of the generator. Appears pretty substantial, it is welded to the house main frame. That is my drop receiver hitch in one of them.
I think most GVs have comparable receiver tubes hidden behind the removable panels in the front lower bumper.  We got a couple of "push bars" with our coach that will fit into the receivers and protrude out through the openings.  I suppose one might modify these push bars into some type of attachment point for a tow strap, perhaps incorporating Barry's idea of a "spreader bar" to keep the receivers from being pulled toward each other.  I'm not sure the frame structure in the GV nose area would be strong enough to take a lot of "tugging" strain...not something I wish to try.

Photo showing bars in the thread linked below (not our coach):

Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #10 –
Only use one of the front "tow bar receptacles" to tow with. If you use two with a chain or strap, it will pull them toward each other and bend things. I watched a guy tow a fire truck by connecting the two chrome tow rings with a chain. Bent them in and did some sheet metal damage.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Tow Strap Technique

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Only use one of the front "tow bar receptacles" to tow with. If you use two with a chain or strap, it will pull them toward each other and bend things. I watched a guy tow a fire truck by connecting the two chrome tow rings with a chain. Bent them in and did some sheet metal damage.

Pierce

If the tow rings, shackles, etc. are attached correctly, only one attaching point could be used.

Tim
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel