Re: [ihc] RE: Tow Straps and thermostats

["Jim or Ginger Aos" <jaos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Hofstetter" <hofs@domain.elided>
To: <Binder@domain.elided>; <ihc@domain.elided>
Cc: "'Dan Nees'" <danees@domain.elided>; <T_R_E_Jr@domain.elided>
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 5:04 PM
Subject: [ihc] RE: Tow Straps and thermostats


> At 5:57 PM -0600 12/11/03, Binder wrote:
> >Hi Everyone,
> >
> >This seems to be my opinion (as it forms, after some quick web research).
> >One thing that really caught my eye last night - I found a really neat
> >looking strap (http://www.talcospecialties.com/web6.htm). Very stout.
> >Boasted a MIGHTY capacity. But then I noted it said "Not for lifting
> >applications..." a few times in the ad. But it advocated TOWING. At first
> >blush, I wonder, "What's the big difference?"  Then I wondered if really
> >what they meant was "DO NOT USE AS A SLING or HOIST".  I know some
materials
> >have phenomenal strength but can still be easily cut or "crushed" - and
> >perhaps slinging might jeopardize such a material.  Am I close, do you
know?

    Some things, like the cable that my winch came with had a listed
breaking strength.  That is typically rated with a safety factor of between
1/2 to 1/5th of the actual breaking strength.  As John said regarding the
pulling not lifting ratings.  Because I wanted to lift with my winch, I made
sure it would hold with the built in brake, then I started lifting to the
stall limit.  I then weighed the items, and finally came up with
understanding that I can lift about 900lbs. with my 2000 lb winch.  I have
made repeated lifts, that would total over 200 tons of rock without any
failure of that winch.  I feel that John has a good view of strap
selections.
    Because we live in a litigation society, we have all kinds of limits and
restrictions, in order to protect us from ourselves.   (My opinion).  All
this is from a guy that rode a crane boom down 50' in 1965.  I was 25 then
and have become much more cautious.  Jim A.
>
> I'm not sure that I know, but this warning appears on most, if not
> all tow straps. Try this as a possible reason.
>
> The towing capacity as listed on these straps are for rolling weight.
> You'll know what that means, but I'll explain it anyway. One of the
> straps you looked at was rated at 28,000 lbs. capacity. Well, it
> won't lift 28,000 lbs. but it should pull 28,000 lbs. of vehicle as
> long as there isn't too much resistance from other factors such as
> you have the front diff wedged up against a huge rock.
> >
> >
> >Does anyone know if there any 'standard unit of measurement' for
measuring
> >this elasticity? Or more importantly, perhaps, the "claim" regarding the
> >towing capacity?
>
> I have no knowledge about this.
> >
> >
> >: Anyway, we broke winch cables twice, but that strap never faltered. I
> >: had paid about $60 for it from Dick Cepek in 1972. So it was
> >: expensive, but worth every cent.
> >
> >Prob be around $150+ today!  I've been coveting the Superwinch straps...
> >
> >http://www.superwinch.com/products/accessories/index.html
>
> Off Road Warehouse's 3 X 30 strap for less than $ 50 looks as if it
> might be a good choice.
>
> John
> -- 
> John Hofstetter
> www.goldrush.com/~hofs