Read a post on a tow forum about a guy who uses axle straps with soft loops around the control arm instead of the frame. He said it keeps the strap off the brake and fuel lines and the loops won't cut into anything. Another trick I heard was running the strap through the wheel and crossing it to the other side, which keeps the car from sliding sideways. You can also buy those nylon sleeve protectors to slide over the strap where it touches metal. Just make sure whatever you wrap around can take the pull without bending. Sounds like you already learned the hard way, but checking with a light before you crank down takes two minutes and saves a lot of grief.

Paranoid? Nah, you're just running a turkey insurance policy out of your van lol. That 3.2 amp reading is the worst kind too, because it's not dead enough to explain to the customer why you're swapping it, but it's dead enough to ruin her holiday. The day before Thanksgiving is basically the Super Bowl for ovens, so stocking up in Oct is just smart. I'd honestly start hoarding them in September at this point.