Many people have to air up their tires as a way to help them get back onto roads after a major accident or when they need to move their vehicle due to weather conditions.
Some use alligator clips, but plastic zip ties are another versatile tool that can be used in just the right situation. Zip tie towing is not only effective, but it’s also much safer than using alligator clips or rope which could choke your towed vehicle or pull too hard on the attached object.
Paracord Tow Rope
Paracord tow ropes, also known as paracord recovery ropes, are an essential item for any off-road enthusiast. These strong, lightweight ropes are perfect for emergency towing, as well as for everyday use. Whether you’re out on the trails or recovering your vehicle from a ditch, having a reliable paracord tow rope is essential for a safe and successful recovery.
Paracord tow ropes are made from a woven nylon or polyester strands, depending on the brand and type of rope. This type of rope is known for its strength and durability, as well as its flexibility. The strong fibers used in paracord tow ropes make them ideal for use in towing, as they are capable of holding up to 5,000 pounds of tension.
Paracord tow ropes are typically available in two different sizes: 10 feet and 20 feet. The smaller size is ideal for lighter towing jobs, while the longer size can be used for larger vehicles and heavier towing. Both sizes are available in various colors and patterns, which makes it easy to customize the rope to fit a variety of situations and recovery scenarios.
When shopping for paracord tow ropes, it is important to consider the type of rope and its length. The type of rope will depend on the weight of the vehicle being towed, and the length will determine the amount of rope available for towing. Additionally, the type of rope may also determine the strength of the rope. For example, polyester ropes are typically stronger than nylon ropes, making them better suited for heavier towing.
When it comes to towing with a paracord tow rope, it is important to take the time to properly secure the rope to the vehicle. This includes using either a hook or an anchor point to attach the rope to the vehicle. It is also important to ensure that the rope is tightly secured and will not unravel during the towing process.
Paracord tow ropes are an essential item for any off-road enthusiast. Not only are they strong and lightweight, but they are also flexible and capable of holding up to 5,000 pounds of tension. With their versatility and strength, paracord tow ropes are the perfect choice for towing and recovering your vehicle. So, make sure that you have one handy the next time you’re out on the trails.
When Not to Try It
There are some instances where it is not advisable to try your hand at making cordage for towing. If you are in an area that is well-populated, then trying to make use of public resources to help pull you or someone else out would be possible!
If you do not know how to make good quality rope, you could end up hurting yourself or the person you are helping. Also, if there are professionals close by, they may not need your help since they already have enough supplies.
The Basics of Towing
When towing, it is important to be aware of the laws in your area regarding legal limits for towed vehicles. If you are traveling across state lines or internationally, there may also be regulations about vehicle weights!
Tow cars with care! You can always try pulling your own car out first before trying to pull someone else’s. Also, make sure your tires do not need changing- if they do, do it beforehand so you know how much force you have left in the wheel bearing!
Many people use ropes as tow cords due to their durability and ease of manipulation. Before securing the rope to the frame of the vehicle, test it by tying one end around your ankle or foot, then pulling up without tension. Make sure it doesn’t hurt when pulled!
Remember, even though this article focused on cars, these tips apply to any kind of heavy load that needs transporting.
How to Tie a Car Hitch
When trying to determine if your vehicle can be towed using paracord, there is an easy way to do it! Most cars have at least one tie-down hook or loop that comes pre-attached to the frame of the car. This is usually either a Pinhook or a ball hitch.
A Pinhook looks like a large nail with a plastic cap that fits over the top. The cap has a hole in it so you can attach a rope through it. You just place this hook onto another surface (like a truck bed) and use the cord to pull up the car hook.
A ball hitch works similarly to a u-loop knot but instead of having a closed end, it has a rounded, smooth ball attachment. You connect the rope to this ball then pull down on the car hook to test it.
If both don’t work, check out our list of the best heavy-duty towing tools.
How to Secure a Vehicle Using Paracord
The term “tow” usually refers to pulling a vehicle or boat with an attached rope, but that is not the only way to secure a vehicle using a paracord.
You can also use elastic ropes which are commonly referred to as seat belts. These work like normal safety straps except they connect directly to your car’s frame instead of going through the door first.
Elastic cords also do not require any kind of buckle for attachment, which makes them far more versatile than traditional seat belt types.
Learn how to tie knots
Many people have airlifted vehicles or pulled boats up using rope before, but never really spelled out how they did it! And while most of us now know what knot to use for certain situations, tying new knots can be tricky if you’ve never done it before.
That is why there are some basic rules about how to tie different types of knots. By learning these basics, you will know how to make sure your knot holds strong and can be untied easily without having to take too long!
Some examples of learning this rule include knowing how to tie a slipknot, which is an easy way to make a loop off of a length of cord, or how to tie a bowline, which is a very secure knot that can be used to attach two ends of the rope together.
Tie a bowline knot
When towing a vehicle, making sure that it does not break down is one of the most important things to do. Unfortunately, in some cases, people are too quick to abandon this rule! If you’re broken down vehicle gets stuck or you need to move it, there are certain types of knots that can be used to safely secure it.
One such type of knot is called a bowline knot. This article will teach you how to tie this knot correctly for automotive use.
Know when to use a clove hitch
A very popular way to pull a vehicle is using a clamp-style hook or “clove hitch” as they are often seen in movies. This requires you to anchor your boat or truck by drilling holes into the surface, then attaching the clove hitch to each hole.
Then you connect both ends of the paracord to the clove hitch, making it possible to slowly draw out all the slack in the rope. (Be sure to test the strength of the rope before doing this!)
This can be helpful if you need to move something or break down a vehicle! However, there are some things that cannot be tied off with a clove hitch. If you try to do so, catastrophic failure could occur.
For example, if someone were to drag their car over rough terrain while trying to untangle it, the clove hitches would likely get stuck and ripped apart. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize how deadly regular old wire can be until they try to cut it.
Understand what makes a proper chain
When talking about towing, there is an important term that people frequently get confused about or mixed up when referring to as a link. This is the word “chain”. There are two main types of chains that people typically refer to when talking about towing.
A closed loop link is one that connects directly to the next link making a circle. These are referred to as circular links or connect-together links. A very popular type of this is a vehicle locking pin.
An open link is not connected to anything else. It simply loops around the frame or body of the vehicle being towed. An example of this would be a truck bed cover cable that attaches to the top edge of the truck bed lid. By pulling down on the cable, it can be dragged across the surface of the truck bed, effectively covering or protecting it from damage in case of an accident.
Neither kind of link will work if the attached link is too loose or does not engage properly with the linked link or object. If this happens, then the towing process will not function correctly!
There are many different brands of paracord designed for specific uses; some even have specialty versions that are engineered specifically for heavy use such as automotive applications. Make sure to look into these before purchasing so you know what length cord you need at home!