How to Use a Nylon Tow Strap

A tow truck might be your only option if you can't find a suitable attachment point for a tow strap.

Nylon tow straps are lighter and more conveniently stored than the towing chains they have replaced for most applications. Tow straps are equipped with a steel hook on each end and should not be confused with recovery or snatch straps that have looped ends instead of steel hooks. A tow strap will have little or no elasticity. Recovery straps depend on their elasticity to boost the force applied by the recovery vehicle to the stuck vehicle. In most situations, a tow strap should be used only to move a vehicle a short distance over smooth terrain.

Things You'll Need

• Two vehicles
• Tow strap
• Two drivers

Instructions

1. Hook one end of the tow strap to the towing vehicle. The chain loops on a trailer hitch make an ideal attachment spot. Failing this, the hook should be mounted to a solid steel portion of the car's frame.

2. Hook the other end of the strap to a towing eye on the disabled vehicle's frame. These are usually located underneath and behind the vehicle's bumper.

3. Remove slack from the tow strap by slowly driving the tow vehicle forward until the strap is taught. The driver of the disabled vehicle should be in the driver's seat before proceeding from this point.

4. Release the parking brake in the disabled vehicle and put the gearshift in neutral. On most modern cars, the ignition key will have to be in the "on" position for the steering wheel and gearshift to operate.

5. Drive the towing vehicle slowly forward until the disabled vehicle is moved to the desired location. The driver of the disabled vehicle should pay close attention to the brake lights on the towing vehicle and be prepared to slow or stop as necessary to maintain towing distance.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the tow strap clean. Sand, rocks and dirt will abrade the nylon filaments and weaken the strap over time.

• You must have a driver in each vehicle to safely tow a disabled vehicle.

• Do not tow disabled vehicles at highway speeds.

• Do not tow a disabled vehicle with an automatic transmission any further than required for safety. Towing a vehicle with an automatic transmission can cause severe, costly damage to the transmission.

• Select the towing point on the disabled vehicle carefully. Many modern cars have no solid metal attachment points. Severe body and/or mechanical damage can result from an improperly connected tow strap. Call a wrecker service if you cannot locate a suitable attachment point.

References

• The Ranger Station: Tow Straps and Hooks
• Off Roaders: Recovery Straps -- Proper Usage