Autofonder V-Bridle Strap 2" x 4' w/Snap Hooks w/Cordura Sleeve and 2 Pack 2"x 36" Axle Straps, D Ring Middle, for Car Hauler, Rollback, Flat Bed, Tow Truck, Wreck & Recovery

Why I added this V-bridle to my rig

I keep a handful of recovery options in the truck—chains, soft shackles, and a couple of standard tow straps—but a V-bridle has proven to be the simplest way to load low cars and secure oddball front ends without drama. The Autofonder V-bridle kit hit the sweet spot for size and hardware, so I put it into rotation for a month of trailer loading, short recoveries, and a few yard moves. It’s a straightforward setup that trades flashy extras for solid materials and an easy workflow, and that’s mostly a good thing.

What’s in the kit

• 2" x 4' V-bridle with snap hooks at the legs
• Forged pear (oblong) center ring
• Cordura abrasion sleeve on the bridle to protect contact points
• Two 2" x 36" axle straps with D-rings
• High-visibility green webbing

It’s the right mix for small to mid-size vehicles—compact cars, sedans, light trucks, UTVs/ATVs, and small boats. The axle straps make it easy to wrap control arms, axles, or subframes where there aren’t factory tow points, and the V-bridle gives you a quick two-point connection that centers the pull.

Build quality and hardware

The webbing is industrial polyester: dense, with a firm hand that doesn’t feel spongy under load. Stitching is generous and consistent in the high-stress sections, and the folded ends are tidy—no loose threads out of the box. The abrasion sleeve is real Cordura, not a thin vinyl wrap, and it slides smoothly so you can position it exactly where the webbing might contact a sharp edge.

The center ring is a forged pear shape, nicely rounded with no burrs, and the radius is kind to straps and hooks. The leg hooks are snap hooks with spring gates. They’re quick to use and seat well on common anchor points. I wouldn’t call the gates overbuilt—they’re adequate and stayed true through my testing—but I treated them like any stamped snap hook: avoid prying or off-axis loads on the gate, and make sure they’re fully seated before you start the pull.

The D-rings on the axle straps are stout and lay flat, which makes it easier to hook up without twisting a shackle or hook. After multiple dirty loads (sand and grit), the webbing showed only light fuzzing—normal wear—and the hardware stayed straight.

Setup and use in the field

Most of my use was winching low cars onto a trailer and positioning vehicles onto a rollback. The V-bridle shines here because you can hook each leg to a separate point and keep the pull centered, which reduces the chance of steering the vehicle unintentionally.

A couple of practical notes from use:

• For cars without tow hooks, I wrapped the included axle straps around lower control arms or reinforced frame sections, then clipped the V-bridle hooks to the D-rings. That kept the hardware off paint and brake lines.
• The sliding Cordura sleeve is genuinely helpful when the strap has to pass under a bumper lip or near an exposed edge. Take 10 seconds to position it—it pays for itself in reduced abrasion.
• Keep the bridle angle modest. The wider you splay the legs, the more load each leg has to carry. Symmetric and reasonably narrow is safer and pulls straighter.

On the tow vehicle side, the pear ring will fit various hooks and shackles. It will also slip over a ball hitch, but I don’t recommend towing off a hitch ball for recoveries—there are safer ways to anchor. I used a receiver-mounted shackle block or a frame-mounted tow hook. A 3/4" bow shackle or a soft shackle through the pear ring works perfectly and eliminates the chance of a bounce-off if slack develops.

Performance

For loading and low-speed towing, the kit is confidence-inspiring. The webbing doesn’t creep, the hooks don’t chatter once tension is on, and the layout gives you predictable geometry. I used it to recover a stuck UTV from a sandy shoulder and to load a low-slung coupe; in both cases, the V-bridle let me fine-tune attachment points so I wasn’t crushing air dams or stressing tie rods.

Where I draw the line is sustained, mid- to high-speed towing. This kit is best for controlled pulls—winching, yard maneuvers, short relocations—not as a long-distance tow substitute. If you’re pulling on the road, keep speeds low, use a spotter, and secure the center connection with a shackle rather than relying on a ball.

Versatility

The combination of a V-bridle plus two axle straps covers a lot of odd situations:

• Front-end loading when factory hooks are missing
• Securing around suspension members without metal-on-metal contact
• Balanced pulls from off-center points on UTVs and small tractors
• Pairing with a winch, tow strap, or rope thanks to the pear ring’s shape

The 4' bridle legs gave me enough reach to span across most front subframes without needing extensions, and the 36" axle straps were long enough to wrap once with the D-rings cleanly aligned.

Durability and maintenance

After a handful of jobs in dirt and rain, the straps rinsed clean and dried quickly. The Cordura sleeve collects grime faster than the webbing, but it hasn’t stiffened up. I hang-dried the kit to keep mildew away and store it coiled; so far, there’s no glazing or hard spots. I make a habit of inspecting the stitched sections before each use—no popped threads found yet.

Long-term, the first wear point on kits like this is usually the hook gates and strap edges near hard corners. The sleeve meaningfully delays that. If you routinely pull over abrasive lips, consider adding separate wear pads or a second sleeve to the kit.

What could be better

• The snap-hook gates are fine for general use, but I’d like a slightly heavier latch or a safety-latch style hook on a “pro” variant.
• No storage bag is included. A compact roll-up or small duffel would keep the kit tidy and ready to deploy.
• One abrasion sleeve is good; two would be better to protect both legs simultaneously in tight quarters.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting if you’re outfitting a daily-use tow truck or want a polished, grab-and-go setup.

Value

Bundling the V-bridle with two axle straps makes sense; you can adapt to nearly any vehicle without digging for extra parts. Compared with piecing a bridle and axle straps from different brands, this kit keeps the hardware compatible and the webbing consistent. Given the materials and stitching quality, it feels like money well spent if your use case is loading, short recoveries, and transport tie-ins rather than heavy wrecker duty.

Safety notes

• Use rated anchor points—control arms and frame rails, not steering links or thin sheet metal.
• Protect brake lines and wiring looms; the axle straps keep hardware away from fragile components.
• Avoid towing off a hitch ball; use a receiver shackle mount or frame hook.
• Keep personnel clear of the “line of fire,” and bring tension up gradually to verify everything is seated.

Recommendation

I recommend the Autofonder V-bridle kit for anyone who regularly loads vehicles, recovers light trucks and UTVs, or needs a flexible way to attach to cars without factory tow points. The webbing and stitching are solid, the hardware is appropriately robust, and the abrasion sleeve is genuinely useful. It’s quick to set up, kind to contact points, and adaptable across a wide range of vehicles. I’d love to see a storage bag and slightly beefier hook latches, but those are minor gripes. For recovery, loading, and short tows at modest speeds, this kit has earned a permanent spot in my truck.