Every now and then, life throws you a curve. A vehicle needs to get from point A to point B but can’t do it under its own power. The best way out could be simple—if you have a tow strap on board. It may just look like a long strip of fabric, but what it’s made from, how well it’s made and how much weight it can handle are all important factors in choosing the right tow straps for the job.
Most tow straps are made of polyester, nylon or a blend of the two. Nylon is best for freeing a stuck vehicle, but if you’re towing it any distance, the less-elastic polyester is a better choice. Most are two or three inches wide and either 20 or 30 feet long. Where they differ from each other is in intended use, maximum weight capacity, quality and price. We found five well-regarded tow straps and ranked them by their maximum weight capacity.
- Neiko 51005A : Best 10,000-Pound Capacity Tow Strap
- TGL 3-20TS : Best 30,000-Pound Capacity Tow Strap
- Jaco Tow Pro : Best 30,000-Pound-Plus Capacity Tow Strap
- ALL-TOP AT11000-9CBS : Best 35,000-Pound Capacity Tow Strap
- Gear America GAMDTS : Best 45,000-Pound Capacity Tow Strap
Featured Products
- Exclusive PolyBlend Webbing
- Max break strength - 31,518 lbs.
- Reinforced Triple Loop ends
- Size - 3in x 20ft
- Lifetime warranty
- Polyester construction
- Max load capacity - 15,000 lbs.
- Moisture and heat resistant
- Size - 2"X20'
- Fastener - stainless steel
- Designed for snow towing and retrieval
- Break Strength: 4400 lbs./Working Load Limit: 1450 lbs.
- Compact 15' tow strap
- 1" nylon webbing blend
- Fastener - stainless steel
Editorial Picks
For simple situations, it’s hard to beat the Neiko 51005A. It’s a two-inch by 20-foot strap made of woven polyester with two metal tow hooks—one on each end. The hooks provide an easier, more secure connection to both vehicles. Rated for 10,000-pounds, it’s not meant for heavier-duty jobs, but it also is light on the wallet.
- Inexpensive
- Tow hooks at each end
- Durable
- Only 20 feet long
- Maximum capacity only 10,000 pounds
- Some buyers report the hook retainer clips are weak
TGL keeps the price low but boosts maximum weight capacity to three times that of our lowest-priced pick. It’s three-inches wide, 20 feet long and made of UV-resistant polyester. It comes with a one-inch reusable strap to keep it coiled in storage.Â
- Reasonable price
- Durable
- Reusable strap allows for compact storage
- Only 20 feet long
- Some reports of fraying loops
- Unclear warranty information
The 31,542-pound maximum capacity of the Jaco Tow Pro may not seem like a big jump from a 30,000-pound strap, but it’s more than three-quarters of a ton of extra capability. It’s a three-inch by 20-foot strap made of 90-percent “military-grade” polyester and 10-percent high-strength nylon, allowing for seven percent worth of stretch. It comes with a storage bag and a lifetime warranty.
- High quality
- Lifetime warranty
- Storage bag included
- Owners report loops are prone to fraying over time and use
- Loose threads in weaving
- Reports of difficulty contacting customer service
The ALL-TOP AT11000-9CBS is a step up all the way around. In size (three inches by 30 feet), in maximum weight capacity (35,000 pounds), in construction (all nylon, allowing for 22-percent elasticity) and in price. It’s marketed as both a tow strap and a recovery strap, but the elasticity suggests this is much more suited to freeing a stuck vehicle than towing over any distance. The bright orange color is highly visible to reduce risks of tripping or other hazards and it comes with its own carrying bag.
- Good elasticity
- Orange color provides visibility
- Includes carrying bag
- Pricey
- Some buyers report durability concerns
- A few users report receiving bags covered in mold
The Gear America GAMDTS is a big tow strap with big capability: Four inches by 30 feet and a maximum weight capacity of 45,000 pounds. That’s 22 and a half tons. The loops at each end are triple-reinforced and owners report the high quality carries over to all aspects of the strap. A carrying bag and protective sleeves are included.
- Extreme maximum weight capacity
- High quality
- Users report long life
- Pricey
- Buyers say carrying bag is cheap
- Warranty information unclear
Featured Products
- Exclusive PolyBlend Webbing
- Max break strength - 31,518 lbs.
- Reinforced Triple Loop ends
- Size - 3in x 20ft
- Lifetime warranty
- Polyester construction
- Max load capacity - 15,000 lbs.
- Moisture and heat resistant
- Size - 2"X20'
- Fastener - stainless steel
- Designed for snow towing and retrieval
- Break Strength: 4400 lbs./Working Load Limit: 1450 lbs.
- Compact 15' tow strap
- 1" nylon webbing blend
- Fastener - stainless steel
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the best tow straps we considered the products most accessible to the widest swath of consumers in the U.S., which also includes performance, price and value. We also considered a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple testers.