Bubba Rope PowerStretch Recovery Rope and Gator Jaw Soft Shackles Review For the Off-Roader & Overlander
Tow straps, recovery straps, chains, recovery ropes…what’s the difference?
There are so many different terms used for straps and ropes.
While each item does have a time and place, for off-roaders and overlanders alike, you will typically be using a recovery strap or rope. But why?
Recovery vs Tow: What’s the Difference?
Towing a vehicle is pretty straightforward.
You have a vehicle that is inoperable and it needs to move from point A to point B…typically so it can be repaired.
Recovering a vehicle usually encompasses a vehicle that is still operable; however, it cannot move because it is stuck. It might be in mud, sand, snow, or high centered.
For towing, you want a rope or strap without much stretch, because you want to apply a “constant” force. You simply need enough force to pull a vehicle.
When Is Dynamic Recovery Important?
For these purposes, a typical strap works great.
However, when recovering a vehicle you often need to utilize a dynamic form of recovery in order to get the vehicle unstuck.
What I mean by dynamic is the vehicle that is pulling out the other vehicle typically will need to get a little bit of a roll in start (to gain some momentum) before any tension is in the strap/rope.
For a recovery strap/rope, you want to have some stretch in order to allow for a smoother recovery of a vehicle in order to eliminate unwanted jarring and potential vehicle damage.
So what is the best recovery strap/rope that you can get?
You do not want a rope or strap with little to no stretch, as this can rip off some bumpers and make for an extremely rough, and sometimes harmful recovery.
The Bubba Rope
While the market of recovery straps and ropes are filled with lots of competition, there are few companies that offer a true, high-quality recovery strap/rope. There is an abundance of knock offs, lower quality parts, and simply “non-recovery” straps/ropes out there.
Bubba Rope is based out of Florida and provides an excellent product for anyone looking to purchase a recovery rope.
This ranges from the mom and dad who want to be prepared to the overlander and hardcore off-roader who need recovery gear on a consistent basis.
Rope vs Strap Design For Superior Stretch
While there are recovery straps and recovery ropes on the market, Bubba Rope utilizes a rope design instead of a strap design (which the name Bubba Rope implies).
In 2010, Bubba Rope won SEMA’s top award in New Products Packaging Design. This launched the way for Bubba Rope and their method of transferring more power, but less jerk when recovering a vehicle.
In addition, Bubba Rope became recognized for its PowerStretch® Gator-ized© vinyl rope armor coating, which protects the rope against UV rays, water, sand and abrasion.
Why Choose the Original PowerStretch Bubba Rope?
While there are several different recovery ropes offered by Bubba Rope, I chose to go with the 7/8” x 30’ PowerStretch® Recovery Rope (aka the Original Bubba).
This recovery rope has a breaking strength of 28,600 lbs., making it ideal for trucks and SUVs. You can also select several different eye colors: black, blue, green, orange, pink, red, and yellow.
Find It On Amazon:
- Bubba Rope 7/8” x 30’ PowerStretch Recovery Rope: Check Price
- Gator Jaw Synethic Soft Shackle: Check Price
Some of the other specifications of the Original Bubba include:
- 100% double-braided nylon rope Gator-ize® Vinyl Polymer coating
- The only rope that uses exact US Military specs for splicing and coatings
- Water, UV and abrasive resistant
- Highest breaking strengths available, certified at our factory
- Each Bubba Rope® recovery rope includes a FREE mesh carrying case
Simply said, the Original Bubba is an amazing piece of equipment that triumphs over other “kinetic energy ropes” and recovery straps on the market.
This Bubba Rope is a great product, but you are going to need some shackles in order to utilize the recovery rope…but what type of shackles?
The Bubba Rope Gator Jaw Soft Shackles
The Gator Jaw soft shackles from Bubba Rope are some of the best on the market, if not the best.
These shackles are constructed with Plasma ©, the highest strength synthetic rope available making the Gator Jaw stronger than steel!
A proprietary vinyl urethane coating adds protection to the rope. The Gator Jaw is light, so it floats, and since it is not metal it will not rust.
One thing to mention about soft shackles is the knot.
During testing, Bubba Rope found that the knot in synthetic shackles is extremely important. If the knot isn’t tied or pre-tightened enough, the knot can unravel and fail (not something you want to happen when you are stuck).
A High-Quality, Performance- & Durability-Tested Gator Jaw Shackles
Bubba Rope put a lot of research and testing into their Gator Jaw soft shackles to ensure durability and performance.
Bubba Rope ensures a high-quality soft shackle that is superior to competitive products on the market, so you don’t have to worry about the Gator Jaw failing.
How Well Does the Bubba Rope and Gator Jaw Work?
While I haven’t had an opportunity (by getting severely stuck) to test the Bubba Rope and Gator Jaw to its limits, I have done some preliminary testing in minor recoveries.
One thing I immediately noticed is that the Bubba Rope actually does stretch, unlike other so-called recovery ropes that do not stretch. I found that the stretch allowed for a much smoother and efficient recovery.
I have yet to test a better recovery rope in a dynamic situation than the Bubba Rope.
Trail-Tested (& Approved) Recovery Gear
The Gator Jaw soft shackles worked great as well.
They are extremely fast to use, provide a secure attachment, and they are very simple to utilize.
I will admit that I was slightly skeptical about using the Gator Jaw soft shackles (just because I’m used to metal shackles), but they work amazingly well.
Final Thoughts
The Bubba Rope and Gator Jaw soft shackles are two amazing products.
The quality is simply unbelievable (it is just that good). Using the Bubba Rope with the Gator Jaw soft shackles is extremely easy too.
Altogether, I have my Bubba Rope with two (2) Gator Jaw soft shackles in the provided mesh case that you get with the purchase of the Bubba Rope. I keep this case in my car at all times, and I know that I am well prepared with this kit and ready to tackle whatever may be in store.
If you are looking to purchase a recovery rope or some shackles, look no further than the Bubba Rope and Gator Jaw soft shackles – they are simply unparalleled.
Not trying to criticize your setup as I’ve never done a recovery, but isn’t a setup with a shackle into a shackle a no-no? Again, not trying to criticize, I’m here to learn (and lighten my wallet a little) but always thought that was a hell no.
Mike, in general you do not want to have multiple connections that could fail (multiple shackles). In the case of my setup, I could use my D-Ring shackle and the Bubba Rope alone; however, it is quicker (and easier) for me to use a soft shackle to hook to the D-Ring shackle. I am not concerned with either shackle failing, but once again, the least amount of connections you have the better.
Basically, you’re right. Every shackle is another potential point of failure. The more points you have, the more likely you’ll have a point that has, for instance, a manufacturing defect. Or it could be weakened due to repeated use, or to UV light over time, or….etc. That’s the science-y aspect of it.
There’s also the practical aspect of it. Your mounting point can determine what you need as well. For instance, on my truck, the slot where I would put a shackle through has rough (not beveled or contoured in any way) edges. Because of that, I would use the regular metal D-shackle and then attach this corded one too that, since the edges on the D-shackle are rounded.
Franklin, excellent comment! I use both a D-Ring shackle and Gator Jaw shackle for a very similar reason that you do. Thanks for your feedback!