Ran into a situation yesterday where a friend got his car stuck in the mud. It wasn't his fault, and he was trying to assist with a community service event. I don't normally keep a towing assist device in my truck, as I normally only pull a trailer, and I frankly felt terrible for him. But I'd like to get something to keep for just such emergencies from now on.

What would the collective wisdom of the group say is the most versatile towing tool for such situations? Being able to stow said device under the backseat is a big plus, as I might not keep it in the truck if it's too unwieldy.

I use this:

Harbor Freight Tow Strap. 30 ft. 6000 lb capacity

That's a little weak in some cases if a vehicle has multiple wheels rutting. The challenge with some vehicles is finding an attachment point. I carry a 30,000 recovery strap (with loops on both ends). One loop can go on my ball mount. Hard to attach the other loop by itself to a stuck vehicle. I use a second strap with hooks, 10,000#, 10-12 feet. This goes through the loop on the big strap, then the hooks attach near each wheel on the stuck vehicle. This approach lets me get under front end wind-skirts with less risk of busting them. Stay with all strap solutions, and stay clear. Both these stow under the seat of my truck.

The main piece of advice I can offer after pulling out tons of people(including a UPS truck out of my front lawn one time) is don't use anything with metal ends or hooks (projectile danger) and get something longer than you think you need. The length is half for keeping the other car from ramming you and often times a little extra length lets you stay on solid or undisturbed ground when pulling. I keep 2 of something like this kind around https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200452121_200452121 that way I can join them together for a long strap or double them up for a heavier pull. You also generally need some kind of small, but extra strong shackle or a set of cluster hooks like this https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200342876_200342876 as most tow hooks have a pretty small opening.

All that being said I've pulled out a disturbing number of people with a heavy ratchet strap and a bit of time. Often you only need to get someone moved a foot or 2 before they can get moving on their own. Not going to get a 1 ton truck out of deep mud that way, but for something like wet grass you really don't need much force.

Snatch strap over a tow strap for vehicles stuck in mud or sand.

These are the Droids you are looking for: Rhino USA!

Most all of Rhino's stuff is made in China. I've researched them for a few other things for F250.

Check these out - http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/recovery-strap/Towing

I carry a 20' 20,000 # nylon strap and 14' of 3/8 chain.
tow strap will act as a rubber band if done right, put it on the ball.

chain is to attach to whatever I am pulling, usually both ends hooked with strap in the middle.


I do have a 10,000 # winch now so pulling is a whole lot easier, less than 1k in it.

Used to be a product called "SNATCHUM STRAP" that worked great. Because it had some stretch in the strap, a much lighter vehicle could pull a heavier one out of a struck situation. I used one many times helping others out and used it several times having someone else pull me out. Daniel

I prefer tow hooks versus ball. I knew a lady that was hit in the back of the head by a ball attached to a nylon tow strap. The shank broke and the strap acted like a sling shot. Ball went through the back window and killed her. I dont kniw the specs on the ball. It could have been rated for 3500 lbs. I carry a 30' strap. You cant beat a nylon strap for extractions. That is except for a winch.

yep, ball only for light tow/extraction, frame or hooks if they are stuck bad.
had a large clevis go thru the back of an f250 that was pulling me at a 4x4 event, dropped into a hidden trench and had a wheel hung up. dude made way too much of a run with a 20k strap, clevis went thru the middle or we would have had a for sure death, he broke a forged tow hook mounted on my frame.

a blanket or a jacket laid over the strap will pretty effectively kill the strap from snapping back if something breaks.

Yankum ropes

https://yankum.com/

Carry a synthetic winch rope. It can handle the stress, and IF it breaks, it had very little kinetic energy to damage vehicles or people standing nearby.

8,000 # winch in a hidden bumper mount. when doubled it becomes a 16,000#.
clevis and snatch block are really easy to carry, small toolbox in bed works great, can set it all up for around 6-800.00 depending on which brand winch.