Tow ropes have an usable lifespan?

[Sparky]

Not to ask a silly question, but do tow ropes have a 'best if used by' date to them? When you think about the weight these ropes can support, do they lose reliability as they get older even when not used?

 

[smritte]

My question is, Tow rope/strap or Kinetic rope/strap? Both are fine if you keep them out of the elements. But they wear differently.

I have some pretty frayed tow strap's. I have one new and two heavily abused. The abused ones are easy 20 years old. My Kinetic strap is about three years old and only used once. I have broken tow straps then tied them together so I didn't have to replace them.

Kinetics are like rubber bands. When they stretch they heat up. Over time they loose their elasticity. If you use a kinetic to tow a long distance you ruin it. This is why I keep both types. Kinetics can wear out and still look good.

My tow straps are what I do most of my extractions with including moving things like down trees out of the way or just plane dragging stuff. My Kinetic is used only when I need it. My information on kinetic straps comes from both experience (ruined one) and contacting the manufacture to find out why it was ruined. My replacement kinetic lasted a few years of moderate to heavy use. It just stopped stretching. Kinetics are the best for sand extractions.

My information is about twenty years old. If someone came out with something that works differently, I haven't seen it.

 

[Sparky]

Well this is good to know, mine are 11'ish years old

 

[Salvador]

Mine are at least 15 years old. I think if you keep in proper bag and not abusing it, it will last a very long time