DUDE454

My buddy is getting his licence thursday and he wants to wheel his 2004 rav4 on sunday. Ill have my locker in by then, so will i be able to pull him out? Also i know there are stock what look like recovery points on the front of the rav, does anyone know if they are strong enough to hold the weight?

I do have a class 4 hitch and class 3 chains.

tomcarey88

i wouldnt use chains....get a tow strap

DUDE454

Why not chains? Ive been pulled out by them, are they bad for anything?

tomcarey88

im sure they will work but worse case...they snap ....just think of the damage

dirtmod0

chains cant take the pressure as a tow strap can. a strap you can tug and get away with it a chain will almost always brake

xjmarc

Lots of people don't like chains because if they break they go flying and a strap tends to just drop. Also some people don't know how to use chains. You get the slack out before you gas it whereas with a strap you can snap it. I've used both and if it's vehicle to vehicle I use a strap and if I'm using a winch I use chains if I need the extra length because chains don't stretch and straps do.

DUDE454

The chains are 5000lb and made for recovey, but i see what yall are sayin. Ill use them just this weekend then ill switch to some straps.

sgtskid

Chains can break and do have the potential to go flying through the air. Straps are also lighter for the strength and length you can buy them in.

Dusty

Tow straps are way better. I have had a bad experience with a chain and my head. Be safe use straps

Bustedback

Tow straps are easier to lug around than a heavy chain.

Tankerblade

the reason chains aren't recommended is because they aren't made for a "live" load, by which i mean they aren't designed for the yanking aspect of things. They don't stretch like straps do. but if your using a winch and adding gradual pressure they work great for that kind of thing. and 5000lb is a little low in my opinion, because if you do yank the amount of force can quickly build up to the load rating and snap. thats why alot of people get into trouble with 30lbs worth of flying metal tugging and putting a bigger force then its rated for

jmm0122

Maybe. It all depends son how stuck he is. Ive been stuck a few times and my buddy in a 2wd tacoma couldn't pull me out. I would recommend going with someone else. Three vehicles is always better than two, you could both get stuck who knows.

bmrrwolfe

I'm surprised no one has said this yet, but wheel a Rav4???

jmm0122

True. Kinda like wheeling a Patriot, it just doesnt work.

xj_maniac_newb

and im fairly certain that rav4's are front wheel drive. its a suv hybrid body on a car frame....im also pretty sure its built in the camry's frame.....wouldnt recommend wheeling it AT ALL