Tow Rope Danger

[Daibheid]

The video below prompted a few off season thoughts. I occasionally have to use a rope to keep the car up on non slimy slipway to launch or retrieve the RIB on the unhitched trailer.
It's a situation most people will face at some point and it is fraught with danger that isn't always understood.

First trying to steer the rig down the slip can be a lottery, especially on a rough surface and it's exacerbated as the tow rope gets longer. But using a mate to try steer it down by tugging on the jockey wheel exposes them to a sudden violent swing of the towbar if a wheel on one side hits a bump or even a lump of seaweed. Three inch box section Vs legs is no contest!

Pulling back up the slip is slightly less risky for swinging of the towbar although with a long rope still a significant risk. But the risk of the tow rope snapping under load is much, much higher. The video shows what a rope under tension can do. There's no warning as it can travel faster than sound so no-one is going to duck it. I welcome suggestions $0.02 worth is
1 always ensure people are clear of the rope or better - strap,
2 don't have your rear door open and
3 throw a heavy blanket, folded tarp or even a coat over the middle of the tow rope.

Watch this and see why it got me thinking above!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Stored energy can be a problem a length of chain in the length would stop that

[willk]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Stored energy can be a problem a length of chain in the length would stop that

I know a couple of RIBnetters who put a length of Land Rover Discovery in the recovery rope - they swear at by it.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

I know a couple of RIBnetters who put a length of Land Rover Discovery in the recovery rope - they swear at by it.

Aye! Beats a blanket any day[emoji6]

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by willk

I know a couple of RIBnetters who put a length of Land Rover Discovery in the recovery rope - they swear at by it.

How do they get um there?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

How do they get um there?

https://youtu.be/6rrYpKUVSuk

[Jon Tallis]

Originally Posted by Daibheid

The video below prompted a few off season thoughts. I occasionally have to use a rope to keep the car up on non slimy slipway to launch or retrieve the RIB on the unhitched trailer.
It's a situation most people will face at some point and it is fraught with danger that isn't always understood.

First trying to steer the rig down the slip can be a lottery, especially on a rough surface and it's exacerbated as the tow rope gets longer. But using a mate to try steer it down by tugging on the jockey wheel exposes them to a sudden violent swing of the towbar if a wheel on one side hits a bump or even a lump of seaweed. Three inch box section Vs legs is no contest!

Pulling back up the slip is slightly less risky for swinging of the towbar although with a long rope still a significant risk. But the risk of the tow rope snapping under load is much, much higher. The video shows what a rope under tension can do. There's no warning as it can travel faster than sound so no-one is going to duck it. I welcome suggestions $0.02 worth is
1 always ensure people are clear of the rope or better - strap,
2 don't have your rear door open and
3 throw a heavy blanket, folded tarp or even a coat over the middle of the tow rope.

Watch this and see why it got me thinking above!

Best mitigation of all against snapping a tow rope is to use a proper rated lifting strop and rated shackles. Use something rated well in excess of the weight of your boat and you've got a massive factor of safety for towing. Nowhere near as expensive as you might think.

[paintman]

No1 way to avoid injury when winching or recovering by rope/strap fixed to vehicle & trailer is keeping out of the firing line.

There's a couple of extreme Australian videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Be4bP-k8Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97XqNX3yFTk

IIRC they also did one comparing wire, straps & rope of various types but I just can't find it.

[jakew009]

Wire ropes are the really dangerous ones when they snap, recoil is massive. Straps and chains aren’t so bad unless you’ve got it between your legs.

Elastic tow ropes are the exciting ones. Drive off across the field at about 15k and wait for it

[willk]

Originally Posted by jakew009

Elastic tow ropes are the exciting ones. Drive off across the field at about 15k and wait for it

I seem to recall a story of someone attaching a KERR (snatch rope) to the NATO hitch of a bogged landy. Heading off at the required speed the line stretched, came to max extension and pulled the hitch off the rusty POS landy. The NATO hitch then took off and entered the back window of the tow landy, smashing the windscreen.... Close call.

I used to use one for 4x4 recoveries, I fitted a metal load guard after I heard that one!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

https://youtu.be/6rrYpKUVSuk

Was being sarcastic LR not got a good rep for reliability

[SHALDON PETE]

Hi Concerned what do you mean by a length Land Rover discovery in this suggest ion?
Thanks
Shaldon Pete

[mick]

Originally Posted by SHALDON PETE

Hi Concerned what do you mean by a length Land Rover discovery in this suggest ion?
Thanks
Shaldon Pete

We were launching on Skye setting off to St Kilda early doors so had to launch low water on a slippy slipway so just roped the 2 Discovery’s together as it was a squeaky bum time launch

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by mick

We were launching on Skye setting off to St Kilda early doors so had to launch low water on a slippy slipway so just roped the 2 Discovery’s together as it was a squeaky bum time launch

Mick

Where on Skye was that launch place? And did you do Skye - St Kilda - Skye in the 1 day?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

Mick

Where on Skye was that launch place? And did you do Skye - St Kilda - Skye in the 1 day?

We did Skye-lochmaddy-St Kilda-lochmaddy in the day & wild camped on the ferry terminal at Lochmaddy at the end of the day. We crossed back to Skye on day 2.