We retest the losers from our previous snatch strap comparison have they learnt a thing or two about building quality snatch straps yet?
Back in Issue 012 of Unsealed 4X4, when I was a fresh-faced journo here at the mag, I was asked to put together a snatch strap destruction test which shook the industry up. Considering 28 issues of Unsealed 4X4 have passed now, we decided to go back to the Nobles test facility in Wetherill Park to use their huge destruction testing bed and retest the three straps which failed our initial testing. We wanted to see if these companies had learnt how to produce a good quality strap; or had they just put their heads in the sand? It must be said though, we were really hoping the outcome would be positive. After all, your safety is paramount. For mainstream 4X4 companies to be producing products that simply were not up to the task… is nothing short of bullshit. It’s downright insulting, actually. So have they lifted their game?
TESTING METHODOLOGY
Basically, we have recreated our test from back in Issue 012 of the magazine down to a tee. We used the same test facility; we purchased the straps from the exact same stores as last time; and we even used the same engineer to run the test bed (he had recently retired but was coaxed back for this project). So the only things different are the bags under my eyes, and a few extra grey hairs… publishing life, ’eh? Anyway, three snatch straps from each company were purchased (so nine straps in total). One strap from each company was dipped in a bucket of water for a wet test and the other two were used as dry runs to glean some solid data. Again, exactly the same as in Issue 012 of Unsealed 4X4. As a refresher, the straps in question are the 8,000kg units from Ironman 4X4, Supercheap Auto and 4WD Supacentre.
IRONMAN 4X4
8,000KG RESULTS
PRICE: $75
LENGTH: 9.18m
1ST DRY RUN: 9,429kg
2ND DRY RUN: 9,020kg
WET TEST: 8,810kg
AVERAGE BREAKING POINT: 9,086kg
AVERAGE STRETCH: 17.84%
PASS/FAIL: PASS
TESTER’S COMMENTS: Average stretch is down just a bit this time around, from 20.38% to 17.84%; but consistently positive destruction test results (even when wet) more than make up for that. In our first test a few years back, the average breaking point was just 6,221kg with the Ironman 4X4 strap. The good news this time around is the Ironman 4X4 strap has an average breaking point of 9,086kg which is over the stamped 8,000kg minimum breaking strain. The strap broke cleanly at the eyelet stitching – another indicator that this is a well built snatch strap that I would have no hesitation in using.
4WD SUPACENTRE 8,000KG RESULTS
PRICE: $39.99
LENGTH: 9.1m
1ST DRY RUN: 9,880kg
2ND DRY RUN: 10,240kg
WET TEST: 8,200kg
AVERAGE STRETCH: 20.7%
AVERAGE BREAKING POINT: 9,440kg
PASS/FAIL: PASS
TESTER’S COMMENTS: This is a major improvement, considering the previous offering from 4WD Supacentre was the worst performing snatch strap tested. But then again, this is a completely different strap. The colour is different, the materials used are different and the results certainly were different this time around. The strap passed with flying colours, having the second-best results of the day. Stretch is up from 9.57% to 20.7%, which is excellent news; almost as important as the breaking strain recorded this time around which is up from 5,081kg to a best run of 10,240kg.
SUPERCHEAP AUTO 8,000KG RESULTS
PRICE: $79.99
LENGTH: 9.03m
1ST DRY RUN: 11,110kg
2ND DRY RUN: 11,110kg
WET TEST: 11,010kg
AVERAGE BREAKING POINT: 11,076kg
AVERAGE STRETCH: 25.7%
PASS/FAIL: PASS
TESTER’S COMMENTS: This strap is a winner! Plain and simple, its performance on this test was staggering. Not only did it have the highest amount of stretch (which is a good thing in a snatch strap) but it also recorded the highest average breaking point on the day. The thing that really surprised me was the consistency in which the straps broke. The two dry runs went at exactly the same figure, and the wet run wasn’t far behind. Now, it is really hard to argue with those figures. A very solid effort.
CONCLUSION
It is with great pleasure that I get to write these words, so I shall treat myself by yelling them in caps: EVERY STRAP PASSED! That’s right, all three companies now seem to be making great quality straps. The real surprise was the offering from Supercheap Auto. In terms of consistency, that is one of the best performing products tested in the history of our destruction testing, and a huge turnaround for the strap. And while all of these straps are now winners, the Supercheap Auto 8,000kg snatch strap is the real winner in this test. Congrats to all involved for listening when we spoke, and providing quality snatch straps for Australian four-wheel drivers.
