Ratchet strap in lieu of a winch?

Has anyone here had experience in using a heavy duty ratchet strap as a light duty alternative to a winch? There are heavy duty ratchet straps with two inch straps that sell for as low as $10. They don't weigh much and could store behind the seat. It appears that a large big rig ratchet strap might be useful in getting a Tacoma pulled up out of many less severe stucks in mud or sand.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

What is your intended use for it?

 

Your truck weighs double that just sitting. Imagine the weight when its stuck. Probably not a good idea to use a ratchet strap as a winch..

Just watching out for your safety bud

 

If you are concerned about price...then look at something like a "Come along".....they are great in a pinch. I have one and have also used my Hi Lift to work when not wheeling with others.

I would only trust a $10 strap to tie down things in the vehicle OR MAYBE get me a little, and I stress LITTLE, bit to get you to the point where you can drive out. DO NOT rely on them!

 

Hi lift and some chains.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xldBPnzohtI

 

I have used a ratchet strap to get out more than once. I have also used one to strap two logs together an make a flip flop winch, and the other as the actual winch line.

 

NICE! But...the times that the Hi Lift will work have to do with PATIENCE and PRACTICE! Been there done that! Hi Lifts are GREAT! But you have to know how to use them properly AND practice with them. Don't be "that person" that attempts this on your first go around.

Awesome video! I have watched it many times and it shows just how versatile the Hi Lift is....HOWEVER do not be fooled....it takes a LONG time to get a vehicle that is stuck hard out....it also takes TONS of repositioning and placing items (rocks, logs, etc) to prevent you rolling back. It is NOT easy but will work!

 

I can't get stuck at Forever21

 

What you need is a hub that bolts or locks on to the right rear wheel, it would look like a riding lawnmower wheel with out the tire on it. Then take a really long rope, put one end on your hook on your truck, then wrap around a tree and back to the hub on the rear wheel. Give one or two wraps on the hub then get in and floor it. The rear wheel spinning hub will wind the rope around the hub pulling you out. Easy peasy now to build my idea.

 

You're strapping something down with those right?

 

Problem isnt strength fundamentally, its mechanical advantage. Ratchet straps have a mechanical advantage of about 5 to 1.

Come along has more like 10 to 1, 20 to 1 with snatch block.

End result is it's hard to generate much more than 500 lb with a ratchet strap, even a big one. Come along will be able to get 2000 lb with similar handle force.

The secondary issue is that there isnt much spool amount (to pull up out of a hole) with a ratchet strap. At least 10 times more with a come along or similar.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W3BJHf2tj9E

 

https://youtu.be/trrEKbc6uqE

 

Sorry I cannot help it.....maybe it worked...btw what happened to their exhaust???

Liked just because...

 

Come-Along. I have had one for many.years and it can take the place of a winch to a point. Ratchet straps are to tie things down, not lif or pull.

 

Kind of expensive but the more power puller works awesome. Up to 12000 lbs of pulling power.

 

Who knows. Pretty entertaining though.

 

Ratchet straps are handy for recoveries if you need to reseat a tire on a wheel, that's about it. I'd get a come along winch or a real winch (+ bumper)