Got Tow Ropes? Get Answers To The Questions You Have About Their Care And Maintenance

25 May 2017
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Tow ropes can help you tow many smaller items for short distances behind your car. This includes things like snowmobiles, farm equipment, and small construction equipment. Properly caring for and maintaining your tow ropes can help them last longer. However, if you are not all that familiar with them, you may be unsure how to care for them and maintain them. Getting answers to the questions you have will help you learn how to care for tow ropes and prolong their lifespan. Here are a few of the questions you may have and the answers.

How Do You Store a Tow Rope?

Most tow ropes are made from synthetic material. Both sunlight and moisture can be damaging to synthetic materials. Sunlight can cause the materials to weaken and degrade, which lessens the ropes towing ability. Moisture can cause mold and mildew to form on the rope, which can eat away at the rope and weaken it. It is best to store the tow rope in a dry, dark place, such as your trunk or garage.

How Do You Care for the Rope After It Has Been Used?

Dirt, road salt, and other outdoor elements can work their way into the braided fibers of the rope. These items can cause harm to the structural integrity of the rope if allowed to sit on the rope for a prolonged period of time. As such, the rope should be washed after each use. The easiest way to clean the rope is to spray it down with a hose and then run a soft cloth dipped in a combination of warm water and dish soap over the rope. Rinse it after it has been cleaned and allow it to air dry. Never use a scrubbing brush or chemical cleaners, such as bleach, to clean the rope or you can damage its fibers.

When Should You Discard a Tow Rope?

Your tow rope will give you signs that it is nearing the end of its life and should be discarded. If your rope is fraying or unraveling, it is time to discard it and pick up another. You may also want to tug slightly on the rope. If it feels brittle or you hear cracking or tearing as you do this, it is time to discard the rope. Lastly, if your rope is beginning to fade, the fibers on the rope have been affected and it is probably time to replace it.

There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a tow rope including the thickness of the rope, the material the rope is made from, how often it is used, the weight of the items it is towing, and how well you care for and maintain the rope. Getting answers to the questions you have about the care and maintenance of the rope will help you learn how to correctly care for it.

For more information, you will want to contact a company such as Omaha  Slings Inc.