Honestly how can you tell if your strap is still good?

[RICK]

I have this 30 foot/3 inch 30K strap and I have a 20 foot/2 inch 20K strap.
Over the last seven years both have been used in mud and I have washed them both
several timesover the years in a commercial washer at the laundromat.
I have been able to just hang them outside to dry each time I washed them.
(Barb would kill me if I did this in the home washer)
The 30 footer seems to stretch and recoil almost like a rubber band now.
The 20 footer seems to stretch and recoil almost like new.
Both are almost faded white now, but have no broken areas or cuts.
They both still work as needed but look a little old and have begun to fray a little.
I would appreciate any experiences of how to tell when they are too frayed to use.
Any advise?

[Etnomaiab]

does ne1 know?

[lonegpr]

I'd say that if the straps are in good looking shape, you should be ok. Both of my straps (2x20') are starting to look bad. Lots of mud, sometimes used around trees, fraying, etc. I know I need to replace them eventually.

[Ghery]

Rick,

No TBO on those straps, is there? If they look good and aren't frayed, I'd keep using them.

[Lil'Green]

Hey Rick,
if they're seven years old, you should buy new ones. I'll take the old ones and destroy them for you. Email me for the shipping address. I only deal in straps that are clean and have no fraying on them. :D

If you want to risk using them, then keep'em. :p

[Lauti]

Hey Rick,

I think after seven years new ones would be the better way to go. Although cleaning them after every use is the best thing you can do, to make them long lasting. I don't know how hot you washed them in the laundromat, but perhaps it would be better to brush them by hand with cold-warm water and perhaps some soap. Okay, not sure about the soapy water, perhaps your new strap has a few short instructions stiched to it.
My ARB snatch strap and the tree-saver strap included those instructions.

[Cooch]

I'm not an expert but if you have any doubts about them I would say replace them.

Saftey First :)

[Mr. Bill]

I agree with Cooch. Safety first.

I've seen one of those straps break, not pretty.

After 7 years, I'd feel like I'd gotten my money worth out of them and replace 'em.

[NH94YJ]

If there's any doubt, replace it. Can be nasty when they go. Some of the better ones have a red thread in them that becomes visible when they have been pulled beyond their limits, although most of that type are for commercial lifting applications.

[RICK]

Ok, Ghery.

I know there is no TBO on straps.
As you know.
Being an ex-pilot,
I inspect mine end to end with no cuts, no "thin" spots. No chaffing.
I hate to just "time" change the ($60) 30 footer.

I know military straps are not "TBO" items either.
They are replaced prior to use after full inspection.

As I remember they were replaced if any three "chords" in the same" bundle" out of 10 or so "bundles" of chords were separated or frayed. But the military straps and "donuts" are rated for 50,000 pounds each. They also were not the "stretchy" snatch strap type.

Maybe a better question would be;
Has any one seen a strap break due to age, not just being to small?

[Lil'Green]

The only ones I've seen break, broke due to excessive fraying. That doesn't mean it's not possible. Heck, even a brand new one could break due to some QC problems, I guess.

Honestly, I think your straps are fine....so send them to me, will ya?! ;)