Self-recovery is essential to any overlander or off-roader, and the winch is the king of all tools.
Even if you head out wheeling with mates, there will be times when your only option for a safe and effective recovery will be the winch.
As you would expect, a winch has many accessories and tools that come along with it, and one of them is the snatch block.
This is an extremely useful tool; therefore, we go over exactly what it is and how to use it in today’s article.
Editor’s note: I personally use a snatch block from Tackle Tuff. To explain what a snatch block is, how to use it, and its benefits, I provide Tackle Tuff as an example.
Table of Contents
- What is a Snatch Block?
- What is It Used For?
- What Other Gear Do I Need?
- Which One Should You Buy?
- Full Recovery Kit Including a Snatch Block
- Snatch Block Final Thoughts
- Recommended Off-Roading Gear
What is a Snatch Block?
A snatch block is a pulley connected to a tree trunk protector or another vehicle.
Off-roaders and overlanders widely use it because of the multiple possibilities for recovery options.
What is It Used For?
A snatch block has a couple of different uses. It can alter the direction of the pull or can be used to double the power of the winch.
Doubling the pulling power of the winch is perhaps its most impressive feature. This is done by attaching the snatch block to a tree trunk protector, passing the cable through, and looping it back to the vehicle.
The result is that both ends of the winch rope are connected to your truck. This doubles the power of the pull. This
You need to keep in mind that this method halves the distance of your winch rope and will half the speed of your winch.
By using winch extension straps, you can regain the loss you have in rope distance, but nothing can be done for the reduction in speed.
At the end of the day, all you want is to get out of the situation you are in; therefore, a reduction in speed is acceptable.
What Other Gear Do I Need?
As noted above, to securely use the snatch block, you need a tree trunk protector and some winch line extension straps.
As the name suggests, the tree trunk protector wraps around the tree and protects its bark from getting damaged by the winch line itself. It also provides a good mounting point for the snatch block.
An extension strap is something like a snatch strap that hooks onto the winch line, thus, extending its reach. As mentioned above, this is useful when doing double line pulls as you only have half the rope length available.
Finally, a damper bag to weigh down the winch line in case it breaks is also crucial for your safety. You don’t want a cable flying towards your windshield in case the winch line fails.
Which One Should You Buy?
In our opinion, one of the best snatch blocks out there is made by Tackle Tuff. This company makes premium recovery gear with great attention to detail and safety.
Their snatch block has a 30-ton breaking strength and a 15-ton workload limit. Therefore, regardless of what size rig you happen to use, you’ll be sure this snatch block can withstand the load.
It can also accommodate both a synthetic rope and a steel rope. This is important because you can switch between rope lines and won’t have to replace your snatch block.
Its forged carbon steel construction means that it will be able to handle the punishment of off-roading, too. Just in case you still have your doubts, Tackle Tuff also offers a limited lifetime warranty.
Full Recovery Kit Including a Snatch Block
Keep in mind that most recovery kits on the market come with a snatch block. Tackle Tuff has a premium recovery kit that includes the snatch block and a tree trunk saver.
The whole kit is of great quality. It also includes:
- 30-ton braking strength shackles
- A recovery tow strap
- A tree saver strap
- Kevlar-reinforced gloves
- A carry bag that doubles as a winch line dampener
The straps are made from nylon with reinforced eyelets for added strength and load capacity so that you can use them in the field with confidence.
Snatch Block Final Thoughts
From the above, it is obvious that this tool has a variety of uses. Due to its versatility, it’s one of the most important items to have in your vehicle for a winch recovery.
If you have any further questions regarding the usage of snatch blocks or for any other off-road or overland-related topics, visit the forum section of our page.