For the past couple weeks at work me and the rigger have been working on some projects that might be of interest to lighten our load out on the trail.

I work at West Marine, a boat retail store here in Newport RI. We one of the biggest stores in the country which (wonderfully) includes a rig shop. A rope specialty shop that and work on custom splices and swages.

Recently the rigger and my self have more time on our hands so we like to figure out better new ways to use lines. We came across things called soft shackles (http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C118%7C2186%7C1280241&id=1280168). These are made with a special kind of line called dyneema (SK-75 SK-90) that replaces all the support cables on high end racing yachts and with a little reverse engineering we've got em down to a science. These things are light weight and replace big metal shackles.



Heres some images:
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/cnsellon/IMG_1040.jpg
Types of Items
(L to R) 3mm loop, Covered loops small/large, Soft Shackles XS, S, XXL
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/cnsellon/IMG_1041.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/cnsellon/IMG_1042.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/cnsellon/IMG_1037.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/cnsellon/IMG_1035.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd460/cnsellon/IMG_1033.jpg

Specs:
The line used for the small pink one (3mm) is rated at 3,000 lbs breaking strength.
Blue covered loop (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=180578&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10102&subdeptNum=10232&classNum=10234)
Purple style Lines (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=38118&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10102&subdeptNum=10232&classNum=10234)
Pink Loops SK-90 (http://wikinnegra.com/wiki%20picture%20library/Samson%20MLX%20Datasheet.pdf)

What do you guys think?

We use Dyneema slings for climbing. They are super strong but can still be worn through with friction. I don't think they would hold up to well as a tow point because your truck weighs about 5000lbs plus whatever your stuck in.

Will

That's what most of the synthetic winch lines are made of.

It would work, but often require a regular shackle anyway, otherwise, there'd be few ways to attach them for recovery, etc.

There are ways of course, but they require folding, which weakens the strength, and, adds friction/stress points.

For example, if you have a tow HOOK, you could pull the rope shackle through the tow strap's loop, and then lay the two open ends of the rope shackle over the hook....

Of course, if you have a HOOK, you can just use the loop on the tow strap, etc.

If you have a D-Shackle, same deal, you'd need to open it to secure the rope shackle anyway, and so forth.

IE: A Loop added to a device with a loop on it already, doesn't add too much versatility.

:D

It COULD probably be pressed into service as an emergency pivot point on an off angle pull, more like a pulley point, but, again, that would stress it at the fold/crease point.


:wink-big:

Touche' my good man.

valid points. plus they don't look as bad-a## as some sweet D shackles hanging off the rear bumpers.

Yeah we have used that line to replace many kinds of winch cables as well as large lifting and towing bridals for 30' boats.
Recently just replaced it on a guys electric boat winch. Only issue would be chaffing. The stuff is great on strength but you would need to protect it from UV and chafe with a solid cover such as the blue loop above.