The best off-road tow cable: model overview, specifications and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Along with a spark plug wrench, a set of tools and a spare wheel, a towing cable must be in the trunk. For SUVs, this is a necessary thing. But the problem is that the traditional slings that lie in the trunks of cars every day are not suitable for heavy off-road cars. The average jeep will easily break the store cables, designed for two tons. Let's find out what an off-road tow cable should be and how to choose it.

Jeep towing strap: what you need to know?

These cables are different from car lanyards. When choosing, you should not go according to the classical scheme and purchase a device that, in terms of characteristics, exceeds the mass of the car by 1, 5 or 2 times. Even products that are sold in stores anddesigned for 2-3 tons, will easily tear from one awkward movement.

When towing uphill or in light off-road conditions where the wheels of the car have to overcome even minor obstacles, such a cable will not be effective. It will break somewhere in the middle between the cars. And that's the best thing that can happen. In the worst case, due to a poorly stitched loop, the hook attached to the end of the sling will fly off into the front or rear window of the car. Perhaps this will not cause an accident, but the torn off hook can no longer be tied to the sling. You have to make knots, install various metal devices, which, with unreliable fixation, increases the risk many times over.

Literally every cable from the store, designed for 3-4 tons, is not suitable for towing heavy jeeps. Yes, sometimes you can find a really reliable option on sale. But this is a very rare case. Therefore, a tow rope for an SUV must be purchased in such a way that the safety margin is approximately 2.5-3 times greater. For a vehicle weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 tons, it is best to purchase solutions designed for at least 5 tons. However, in this case, the sling of unknown origin, which is sold in a car shop, very often corny does not correspond to the characteristics indicated on the package.

So, for example, a standard product of 5 tons will break if a force of up to 3 tons is applied to it. Rarely such a sling is able to withstand a load of 4 tons. Only a few products from well-knownbrands are actually able to withstand the load that the manufacturer indicated in the technical specifications. A suitable tow rope for an SUV is a product designed for 8 tons and above. As for prices, a cable made under a reliable and high-quality domestic brand can be purchased at a price of a thousand rubles.

Such slings can not only pull heavy cars, but even try to pull jeeps stuck in a swamp. This should be done as carefully as possible or in a tight fit. This way you will keep the structure of the line. With a well-tested cable of this kind, you can pull a five-ton car out of the mud. You should not worry about the properties of the sling. If it is not run into, it can even withstand the impact of careless driving, accompanied by jerks and all other problems.

About choosing a cable for off-road vehicles

As you can see, special equipment is needed for the needs of off-road driving. Below we will look at how to choose a tow rope for an SUV. After all, there are a lot of things to pay attention to.

Length matters

The longer the length of the line, the better the effect. Such a cable makes it possible to perform maneuvers. There are options for approaching a stuck car. However, for simple towing, a long tow cable for an SUV is useless. If the sling is longer than 6-7 meters, this will create certain difficulties when driving in the city. Yes, and in off-road conditions at such a length it will be difficult to enterturns.

The optimal length is 4-6 m. This is completely enough to solve most of the problems that can happen to a jeep while traveling or on a trophy raid. Slings of 6 meters are enough, even to pull the car out of the swamp. This is ideal for towing in wooded areas and on car roads.

Mounting method

Different products have different fixing methods. The choice of towing cable for SUVs is not only length, but also fixation. Today, several types of fastening solutions are offered. We will consider each of them separately.

Loop-loop

Here everything is more than simple. At each of the two ends of the sling there is a loop that is attached to the eyelet or secured with a shackle. Attachment via hooks is also possible. In daily use, such a sling is not very comfortable and convenient, however, in the absence of roads, this is the best solution.

If reliable high-strength shackles are available, then the process of fastening the cable and towing will not cause difficulties. To install these towing cables, no tools are needed. Everything is easily done by hand.

Hook loop

This is not a very popular option, but, despite the low prevalence, it is very convenient. If the car is equipped with a wide eye (and it is better to fasten it through a bracket), then a vehicle with a small eye with a smalldiameter. The bracket cannot be installed in such eyes, but the classic hook will fully fit. Here it is necessary to note one nuance - it is better to purchase only expensive and high-quality products. Often the hooks are of no less quality than the sling itself. If you purchase a cable with hooks in the market or in a store, the product will not withstand the loads and will unbend. And how it will be depends on the material of the hook. In any case, it will be very difficult to continue towing.

Hook hook

Here, too, everything is simple. Reviews say that this is the most versatile solution. It must be understood that the hook will not go into all the eyes. So, on off-road vehicles, the eye is wide. A hook with a small stroke of the "tongue" may not enter. It will easily fit into the bracket.

However, do not complicate the situation - this is a loss of reliability. It is easier to purchase a more expensive, but suitable cable. For vehicles with standard eyelets, this product is ideal.

Shackle-loop

Here there is a loop at one end, and the same loop at the other, but equipped with a high-quality bracket. This option is also available for purchase. However, this does not make much sense, as the reviews say.

Stap-staple

This is probably the best option of all. It is completed with two reliable loops in which the same worthy staples are installed. Often such products are not found in stores. These jerk and tow cables are produced by specialized companies or rigging plants.

This method of fastening is especially good for off-road cars, as it can be used not only to pull out a stuck car and not have problems with connection/disconnection, but also to tow the car reliably.

Line Material

Consider the materials from which the towing cable for SUVs is made. Their types are very different - from metal to synthetic materials. Reviews say that metal slings are not very convenient as towing ones. It is also not used as a metal jerk cable. The metal does not stretch, which means that all the energy is transferred to the machine that is being pulled out. The energy transferred is great, its application is instantaneous. Eyelets often break out, brackets break and scatter in different directions, bumpers and other body parts break out. Towing is possible, but the jerk will be more severe.

If the cable breaks, it can cause damage not only to the cars between which it is fixed, but also to cars in adjacent lanes and people nearby. Better play it safe and go for the fabric or synthetic version.

Which towline is best?

Summarize. Now it is clear that the most optimal choice is a sling made of synthetic materials, designed for a load of 5 tons or more. Reviews say that the most successful mounting option is a bracket-bracket.