Last Updated on April 7, 2023 by Paul S.
A heavy duty tow ropes are an essential part of any vehicle let alone a 4×4. But if you are out on the trail without one it is going to be tough helping others or even yourself if you ever get in a sticky situation.
What we have done for you in this article is review five different tow straps on the web and chose the best one of the bunch. We have provided some of the highlights of each of them so you can see clearly and easily understand why the best is the best. This saves you time from scouring the internet looking for the best product.
If you are short on time the best pick is the Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap 4” x 30’. Because this article is for heavy duty tow ropes/straps for 4×4 the Rhino tow strap made the top of the list because it has a working load limit of 13,440 lbs and is 30 feet. They also provide a lifetime guarantee which the others did not provide.
What We Like:
- Working Load Limit: 13,440 lbs
- Lifetime guarantee
The best part is the price is not that much different than our budget model. Check out the price at the link below!
If you have a quick minute read on below to review some of the other options that are available and the features that stand out on them and get to our FAQ that can shine a light on tow vs recovery straps and Working load limits vs breaking strength.
Table of Contents
Heavy Duty Tow Ropes for your 4×4
Stay There Tow Recovery Strap
Stay There has created a bright blue tow strap that stands out. This tow strap wins the budget prize of our list as the price is quite affordable by everyone.
While it is typically recommended to make sure you go with a quality manufacturer for recovery type items, if you are going to use the strap in less heavy-duty situations this strap could work for you. I would not want to have the cheapest item on this list in a serious recovery situation.
What We Like:
- They stand by their products
- Budget option of the list!
Cons:
- Length is only 20 feet
- Lowest working load limit
- Durability
What we like:
- No warranty but they say they stand by their products
- Budget Tow Strap of the list!
What it comes with:
- 3 inch x 20 feet Polyester tow strap
- Working Load Limit: 10,000 lbs
- Reinforced eye loops
- Drawstring bag
- Protective sleeves so the strap is not damaged
Cons
- Length is only 20 feet
- Lowest working load limit on the list
- Durability could be an issue.
Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap
This Tow strap by Rhino measures in at 3 inches x 20 feet long. It is not the strongest or longest strap they have (see below for that) but it is great for the beginner off roader or someone that doesn’t need it for heavy duty recoveries.
What We Like:
- Lifetime guarantee
- Budget friendly
- Great reviews/videos. See link below.
Cons:
- Length is only 20 feet
Pros:
- Designed & Tested in the USA
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Budget friendly item on the list
- Great reviews and great videos of the product in action. Check the link to review them.
What it comes with:
- 3 inch x 20 foot long strap made from polyester/silk blend webbing,
- Working Load Limit: 10,663 lbs
- Triple reinforced loops at the ends
- Hook and Loop Roll to secure the strap
- Heavy Duty Drawstring Bag
Cons
- If you need length then choose the larger tow straps below.
Sunferno Recovery Tow Strap
The Sunferno tow strap is the second highest rated strap on this list coming in at 11,740 WLL. It is a bright green strap that will definitely get noticed.
The only drawback for us is that it is only 20 feet long which could be an issue in some recovery situations.
What We Like:
- High Visibility strap
- Working Load Limit: 11,740 lbs
Cons:
- Length is only 20 feet
What we like:
- High visibility strap. Bright Green!
- 2nd highest rated strap, WLL: 11,740 lbs
What it comes with:
- 3 inch x 20 feet Polyester tow strap
- Working Load Limit: 11,740 lbs
- Reinforced eye loops
- Drawstring bag
- Protective sleeves so the strap is not damaged
Cons
- Length is only 20 feet
VehicleX 3” x 30’ All Terrain Tow Recovery Strap
VehicleX is a company that specializes in towing/recovery accessories and ratchet straps. This 3 inch x 30 foot tow strap made out of polyester is not the strongest on the list but it sure does have great reviews on Amazon and is reflective in case of any situations at night and on a busy road.
What We Like:
- Reflective strap
- Good reviews
- Many videos of product at link below
What we like:
- Strap is reflective for those nighttime emergencies
- You can get two D shackles for a cost not much more than just the tow strap. Check here
- Very good reviews with stories about the tow strap in action
- Many videos available at the amazon link
What it comes with:
- 3 inch x 30 feet Polyester tow strap
- Working Load Limit: 11,667 lbs
- Velcro tie for holding strap together
- Neoprene protective sleeves
- Triple reinforced eye loops
- Bag with handles and drawstring for storage
Cons
- The title is misleading. The strap is not a snatch strap because it is made out of polyester which does not have stretch characteristics that a snatch/recovery strap would have. See below for more information regarding the differences.
Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap 4” x 30’
One of the highest break strength tested straps on this list is created by Rhino USA. It has been lab tested and certified to 40,320 lbs max break strength and has a 13,440 lbs working load limit (WLL).
Why does this strap have such a higher working load limit than the others? It is because it has a 4 inch width of strap instead of the 3 inch width that the others above have.
Since this article is about heavy duty tow ropes this Rhino USA Tow strap takes the number 1 spot on our list.
What We Like:
- Working Load Limit: 13,440 lbs
- Lifetime guarantee
What we like:
- Working load limit: 13,440 highest on the list!!!
- Bright green sleeves at the end of the strap are modern and noticeable
- Designed & Tested in the USA
- Lifetime Guarantee
What it comes with:
- 4 inch x 30 foot long strap made from polyester/silk blend webbing
- Triple reinforced loops at the ends
- Heavy Duty Drawstring Bag
Cons
- Not a recovery strap but a tow strap. The naming of the product could be misleading. See below for information regarding the difference between a recovery strap and a tow strap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working Load Limit Vs Breaking Strength For Tow Ropes
Working Load Limit
The working load limit or abbreviated as WLL is the maximum weight that a strap can operate with under day to day conditions. It is advised against to working with weight above the WLL as there is a risk of failure of the strap and danger to people and objects nearby.
Break Strength
Break strength is the weight at which the strap will fail. This is typically tested in a third-party laboratory to provide results and the test typically is repeated as per a standard.
Users of the strap should never be concerned about the break strength. The working load limit is of utmost importance to ensure the strap works and there is no failure of the strap. Strap failure while towing could be very dangerous for any observers or operators.
Difference Between Recovery Strap And Tow Strap
While the names easily tip off the difference between the two, we can break it down a little more.
Recovery Straps
A recovery strap is used to recover your vehicle from a sticky situation and is typically on the trail. But it could be used when a vehicle is on the side of the road in the ditch. Recovery straps are typically comprised of nylon that allows them to stretch initially.
If you can picture a car that is stuck. The recovery vehicle is going to yank on it while either using a winch or driving. You don’t want all the initial energy to translate directly into the other vehicle’s right of way. It is bad for both parties’ vehicles, humans, and recovery equipment. It is best if the energy slowly is transferred and that is the reason for the stretch component of the recovery strap.
Tow Straps
Tow straps are typically used to tow a free moving vehicle. There may be a little stretch in the material but not much. They are typically made of polyester and are not as strong as a recovery strap with the same dimensions. The tow strap allows a quicker transfer of energy.
Some more info from US Cargo Control on the differences. USCargoControl.com
Heavy Duty Tow Ropes 4×4 Table Review
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Conclusion – Heavy Duty Tow Ropes 4×4
Having a heavy duty tow rope/strap is one of the key items every 4×4 should have whether on the trail or on the road.
They can assist you in helping someone else out of the mud or snow or you can use it yourself to have another vehicle get you out of that situation. It is an item that I like to put in my Wrangler and forget it’s there until it’s needed. It is a recovery item everyone should have on them.
The top rated tow rope/strap we discovered during our research was the Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap 4” x 30’. Not only did it have the highest working load limit of 13,440 but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee by Rhino USA and is 30 feet long! To see more info on the tow strap, check out the link below.
What We Like:
- Working Load Limit: 13,440 lbs
- Lifetime guarantee
If you are looking for a complete recovery kit check out our article on the best recovery kits we have found: Best off Road Recovery Kit
Best Off Road Recovery Kit
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