This is one of those subjects classic car owners really don't like to talk about. But let's face facts; when you hang around old cars long enough, one day they're going to break down or they just won't to start. This can really put a damper on the day and you don't want to make matters worse by a towing mishap. Owning a classic car is much more enjoyable if you know what to do when something goes wrong, so like it or not - we are going to talk about towing.
When it comes to our 1968 E-Type Jaguar, if it becomes inoperable, using a tow truck is out of the question. Just trying to get this car on a flat bed truck is quite an undertaking. By the time the front tires get 4 feet up the ramp, the exhaust resonators begin scraping on the ground - a most unpleasant sound. Any car with a low ground clearance will have this problem and the situation might be better served having a working vehicle tow the nonworking vehicle.
No matter what kind of classic you own, we suggest you keep a ‘recovery strap’ in the trunk alongside the toolbox and cleaning kit. A recovery strap isn't a fancy name for a tow strap; in fact, we recommend you don't use a tow strap or a tow chain. A tow chain has no flexibility or elasticity, which means the car you are towing will absorb the entire shock loading that comes from getting the towed vehicle moving and bringing in the slack.
A tow strap is usually made from webbing designed for strength, but not for flexibility. A tow strap will also have metal hooks that can become dangerous projectiles if the strap should break. Plus, metal hooks are far inferior to D type shackles when it comes to securing any type of towing gear.
A recovery strap however, does not use any form of metal attachment hardware; instead it uses two sewn loops, one at each end. The strap itself is made of a nylon webbing that is intended for pulling or lifting and will be load rated, usually in terms of the working load limit (WWL). The general rule for gauging the WWL for a recovery strap will be 1 inch of width for every 10,000 pounds of capacity. More is not necessarily better when it comes to the width of a strap; as capacity goes up, elasticity goes down.
Because a recovery strap is usually made of nylon, it's quite flexible and has the ability to stretch and recoil. Stretching helps the strap to absorb the shock load and builds up a bit of stored energy that contributes to the pulling once the initial tug has stopped.
When purchasing a recovery strap, look for one that is reinforced with Cordura, another form of nylon that is extremely durable and resistant to tearing. You also can find Cordura in products like sporting luggage, backpacks and hiking boots.
To properly use a recovery strap to tow your vehicle, you should:
- Make sure the strap is in good condition; check for any fraying or loose stitching.
- Attach the strap to the frame of the vehicle being towed by threading one end of the strap through the loop of the other.
- Attach the other end of the strap to the towing vehicle by creating another loop or using a D type shackle. The shackle should not rub on the frame or suspension components.
- The strap should never be knotted or doubled up.
- Make sure the strap won't be rubbing on any sharp edges like a bumper.
- Make sure everyone is standing clear of the vehicles before proceeding just in case the strap wasn't securely fastened and breaks loose.
- Slowly start to drive the towing vehicle forward, gently bringing in the slack before accelerating.
We don't suggest using a recovery strap for towing your vehicle great distances, or on the highway, just to the nearest safe haven where it can be easily worked on and away from traffic.
