Learn how to use a tow strap safely.

First off, it’s important to note the difference between a tow strap and a recovery strap. The basic difference is that a tow strap is not designed to stretch under load, whereas a recovery strap has a certain amount of give built into it. A tow strap, or tow rope, also has a metal hook on each end, while a recovery strap uses loops.

A tow strap should never be used for snatching out a stuck vehicle. The tow strap, which is designed to pull a freely rolling load, can’t stretch to absorb energy, and if the strap breaks, the metal hooks on each end can whip through the air at dangerously high speeds, injuring bystanders or damaging your vehicle or equipment. A recovery or snatch strap, on the other hand, is able stretch to absorb the force of yanking out the stuck vehicle and won’t compromise your safety during recovery with flying metal hooks.

A tow hook is your best option for attaching the tow strap to the vehicle to be towed. If there is no tow hook available, attach the strap directly to the frame of the vehicle. Never attach the tow strap to any vehicle part that is designed to move or is attached to the frame with rubber. Using a weak tow point could result in costly damage to the towed vehicle.

The length of the tow strap is also an important safety factor. A strap that is too short puts the towed vehicle dangerously close to the front vehicle and gives the driver of the towed vehicle little time to react. There’s a good chance of damaging both vehicles in a fender bender if the strap is too short.

Use a strap that’s too long, on the other hand, and you risk introducing extra slack in the rope, especially on corners and tight turns. With this extra slack, the driver being towed risks running over the strap, which can tangle in the running gear and damage the vehicle. Another dangerous scenario is if the front vehicle rounds a tight turn and drags the towed vehicle off the road into an obstacle or ditch. A tow strap that’s too long may also fake out the drivers around you, who may try to pass between the two vehicles.

Before towing, establish a number of hand signals that communicate clearly your intentions. The driver of the towed vehicle should keep the line as taut as possible, driving as one with the vehicle in front of him. He should lightly step on the brake to keep the tow line taut as the two vehicles take off and then slowly let up on the brakes as the rolling momentum of the rear vehicle matches the momentum of the front vehicle.

The front vehicle should increase its slowing and stopping time and should accelerate slowly, driving at a constant and cautious speed. The front vehicle should signal when letting up on the gas to allow the rear vehicle to keep the slack out of the tow strap. In an emergency situation during towing, honk the horn to alert the driver of the other vehicle. Good communication between drivers is essential to safe towing.