Black & Decker 2" x 20' Tow Strap - Heavy-Duty

Why I keep this tow strap in every vehicle

I judge a recovery strap on three things: build quality, predictable behavior under load, and ease of use with gloved, cold hands. After several months of keeping the Black+Decker tow strap in my truck and UTV, it’s earned a permanent spot behind the seat.

I’ve used it to help nudge a compact SUV off a muddy shoulder, to extend a UTV winch line to a distant anchor, and to pull a downed limb to the side of a trail. It’s a straightforward tool that favors practical features over gimmicks, and that’s exactly what I want in a strap I might need on a bad day.

Design and materials

The strap is a 2-inch-wide, 20-foot length of polyester webbing with forged steel hooks at both ends. Polyester is the right call here: it resists moisture, UV exposure, and abrasion better than nylon in most recovery scenarios, and it stretches less. That lower stretch makes its behavior more predictable for gentle towing and controlled winch extensions. It’s not a kinetic rope—and it shouldn’t be used like one—but there’s enough give to soften minor shocks without a slingshot effect.

The webbing on my unit is tightly woven with heat-fused edges and reinforced, multi-row stitching at the hook terminations. The overall thickness is right around a tenth of an inch; doubled at the ends it feels stout without being unwieldy. At about 2.6 pounds, it’s light enough to stash in a side bin but substantial enough that it doesn’t feel flimsy.

The bright orange color is more than cosmetic. High visibility makes line management safer, especially at dusk, and makes it easier for the driver to see slack and alignment.

Hooks and hardware

Each end terminates in a large, spring-latched steel hook with a weather-resistant coating. The latches snap positively and resist accidental opening when the line goes slack. The hook throats are generous enough to fit most OE recovery points, frame-mounted tow eyes, and 2-inch receiver shackles. The coating has held up to scraping on powder-coated tow points with only minor surface marks.

Hooks are polarizing in the recovery world—some prefer looped straps with bow or soft shackles for maximum versatility. I like having hooks on a dedicated tow strap because they’re fast. In real-world roadside situations, “fast” often means “safe,” provided you clip to rated recovery points and not bumpers or tow balls. The latch tabs on these hooks reduce the chance of a pop-off when a stuck vehicle suddenly frees.

Ratings and real-world load

The strap carries a lab-tested break strength of 9,000 lb and a safe working load of 3,000 lb. That 3:1 safety ratio is conservative and appropriate for a tool the public will use in varied conditions. In practice, that makes it a solid match for compact and midsize vehicles and light-duty tasks with half-ton pickups—think gentle tugs on slick surfaces, not violent snatches out of axle-deep clay.

In my tests, the strap didn’t feel spongy. When towing the stuck SUV a few feet back onto pavement, the webbing took up tension smoothly and kept both vehicles controllable. As a winch extension, it behaved predictably around a trail-side pine with a protective sleeve in place. Importantly, it didn’t creep excessively on the bark, and the webbing showed no frayed fibers afterward.

Handling and setup

At 20 feet, the length is a good compromise for most roadside and trail scenarios. It’s long enough to give space between vehicles without creating a sags-and-snags rope management problem. For recoveries that need more line to avoid a ditch or obstacle, I would pair it with a second strap or a winch extension; if you regularly need more distance, a 30-foot strap is a better primary.

The strap coils easily and lays flat without wanting to twist, which makes it straightforward to deploy in a straight path. With winter gloves on, the hook latches are still easy to operate. I’d love a simple keeper or Velcro strap for storage; the package includes just the strap, so plan a small pouch or the strap will unroll itself in your bin.

Durability and maintenance

Polyester’s resistance to UV and mildew matters because these straps often live in trunks or pickup boxes. After riding in a covered bed, mine hasn’t faded, and it hasn’t picked up the mildew smell lesser webbing gets when put away damp. After dragging in gravel and across a couple of rock edges (with care), I see light surface fuzzing in a few spots, which is normal. The stitched terminations remain tight with no loose threads, and the hook coating shows honest wear without rust.

Basic care applies: keep it out of direct sunlight when not in use, rinse grit out of the fibers after muddy jobs, and don’t let it chafe over sharp, unprotected edges. If you plan to anchor around trees or rocks, carry a sleeve or tree-saver to protect both the strap and the anchor point.

What it’s best at—and what it’s not

• Strength and general towing: The 3,000 lb working load covers routine pulls for small to midsize vehicles and light trucks, farm equipment, and utility tasks like repositioning logs or implements on smooth ground.
• Winch extension: As a polyester line with minimal stretch, it’s a good, predictable extension for a UTV/ATV or truck winch when a second anchor is just out of reach.

Where it’s not ideal:
- Dynamic recoveries: For stuck-in-deep-suction mud or sand, a true kinetic rope with higher stretch and appropriate rating is safer and more effective.
- Sharp or abrasive edges: Chain is still king for dragging over concrete curbs, sharp rock, or steel with burrs. Protect the strap or choose a different tool.
- Cargo securement: This is not a ratcheting tie-down; don’t substitute it for securing loads on a trailer or truck bed.

Safety notes worth repeating

• Use rated recovery points, not tow balls or bumper brackets.
• Keep bystanders well clear of the line of pull and drape a damper or heavy jacket over the span to reduce recoil risk.
• Stay under the safe working load. If you’re routinely near or above it, step up to a higher-rated strap.
• Inspect before and after each use; retire the strap if you see cuts, melted fibers, or deformed hardware.

Alternatives and fit in a kit

If you prefer shackle-based rigging, a strap with sewn loops pairs well with soft shackles and offers more anchor options. If you want more flexibility in distance, a 30-foot length is handy. And if your use case is mostly recovery from deep sand or mud, consider a kinetic rope with appropriately higher ratings.

For my kit, this tow strap fills the role of “fast, controlled tow or gentle recovery.” I keep it alongside a tree-saver, two 3/4-inch bow shackles, a soft shackle, and a 30-foot kinetic rope. Together, they cover most scenarios from roadside assists to moderate trail mishaps.

The bottom line

I recommend this Black+Decker tow strap for anyone who wants a dependable, easy-to-use strap for everyday towing and light recovery. Its polyester webbing, bright visibility, and latched hooks make it predictable and quick to deploy. The lab-tested 9,000 lb break strength and 3,000 lb working load are appropriately conservative for small to midsize vehicles, and the weather-resistant materials suggest a long service life with basic care. I’d love to see a storage strap or pouch included, and I still prefer a longer strap for some trail work, but those are minor quibbles. As a foundational piece in a vehicle recovery kit, it’s a smart, affordable choice that does exactly what it should without drama.