Unlike a snatch strap, winch rope is not designed to stretch.
If you’re short on winch cable, you might be tempted to hook up a snatch strap for an extension, but this can be a dangerous fix. Snatch straps and winch cables (wire or synthetic) are made for different purposes.
Snatch Straps
Snatch straps are designed to stretch and be able to handle shock loads. They can handle enormous amounts of force but only for the second that it takes to yank out a stuck vehicle. Then they immediately return to their normal length. Holding a snatch strap steady at its peak rated load can render the strap useless if it stretches to the point that it will no longer return to normal length.
Winch Cables
Winch cables are designed for steady pulls that require little or no stretch. For winch recovery, it’s important that the cable has no stretch for two reasons: 1) any stretch in the rope means that it takes more length of rope before the stuck vehicle will move, and 2) if the cable breaks, it will be less likely to act as a slingshot for shackles, snatch blocks, and other metal winch accessories. Because a winch cable has little or no stretch, it can easily be damaged by shock loads.
Using a Snatch Strap as an Extension
What happens when you connect a snatch strap to a winch cable? Combining these two materials increases the danger of the recovery process. If the winch line were to break, the snatch strap with its elastic nature could greatly increase the danger of projectiles, such as a D-shackle. The strap and cable have different breaking points, which complicates the amount of force that your recovery gear can handle.
In the end, it’s best to avoid combining a snatch strap and winch rope, both for the safety of people nearby and to avoid damaging your vehicle. Stick to safe and recommended techniques for winch recovery.