There are a number of things that you are not supposed to do when using a winch and one of them is use recovery straps as winch extensions. The reason for this is that recovery straps stretch and store kinetic energy and if the line were to break this energy would be released at once.

However, there is always a time when these rules must be broken and one was during our last overland trip. The only solid recovery point we had was over 200′ away and I needed every bit of winch line, winch line extension and straps to reach it. In a case like this it is best to join the straps using the following method and leave the bow shackles to be used where needed.

Using 2 straps labeled 1 and 2 follow the steps listed here:

• Thread the loop of strap 1 through the loop of strap 2.

• Take the long and of strap 2 and thread it through the loop of strap 1.

• Pull strap 2 all the way snug.

• Loosen the loop of strap 1 and insert a rolled up magazine or a stick in the loop and pull tight. This step is critical or the straps will not be able to be separated after put under tension.

 

The straps are now ready to be used. I highly recommend that a damper be placed on the winch line near the strap end to help prevent a the live rope from flying back should there be a failure in the line.

Please remember that this is NOT the correct use of recovery straps and could result in injury.