Let's talk recovery

Tips, tricks, stories, or gear.

I know some of us here have been stuck a time or two (or ten) and have learned some things that could benefit others.

I think it would be helpful if we had one thread where we had consolidated information for everyone to read, learn, and contribute to.

 

I'll start us off with a little discussion on solo vehicle recovery (i.e. you're stuck, and alone).

The absolute first thing you need to do is make a phone call to someone you can trust, if you have cell phone reception. Doesn't matter if you KNOW you'll have yourself out in 20 minutes, make that call now, before you dig in your pocket only to find your cell phone dead or KIA from mud. Let them know where you are, what is happening, who's with you, if they can be off assistance, and what time you will call them next. Set a time of "if you don't hear from me by ______, call _______".

Now you need to you assess the situation, the tools you have available, and the tools you can gather from your environment.

Let's take stuck in the mud as an example. You have two options at this point - increase traction to the point you can get out or provide movement without traction.

Methods of increasing traction/reducing resistance to forward movement:

- Air down tires to 8-10 PSI in order to increase the surface area of the contact between the tire and the dirt.

- Clear mud, sand, rocks, etc. from contact with the underside of the vehicle. This is quite often the most overlooked part because it can be the most strenuous.

- Place rocks/tree branches/floor mats or anything else that offers better traction then what you're currently on in front of and/or underneath the tire. This is where a hi lift jack comes in very handy - lift the tires off the ground and pile rocks underneath it. Pave yourself a path to freedom.

- Ensure there is nothing in front of the wheels to impede movement. This is especially important in sand - you need to dig out the sand from in front of the wheels for at least 6-10 feet so you can back on top of the sand and keep momentum. When driving in sand, you're essentially always driving uphill. The tire pushes a small berm of sand in front of - essentially providing you your own constant little 2'' high hill. You need to get rid of this in order to get out.

- Improve the quality of the surface - add dry sand or dirt, if available, to mud.


Methods of providing forward momentum without traction:
- Winching

- Come-along

- Hi lift jack used as a come along (more on this to follow)

- People power (pushing)

These are listed in the order of preference. All but the last option requires an anchor (tree, etc.). See the following post on anchor selection and employment.

Once you've determined what your best course of action is, you need to execute it in a safe and efficient manner. Do not injure or dehydrate yourself flinging about like a mad man. You're going to get your truck out eventually - just calm down. Most anytime you are stuck is going to involve digging - do not be cheap on the digging! If you don't dig enough before trying to get out, you're going to ruin a lot of your work as soon as you spin your wheels and sink even deeper.

I cannot emphasize how important using the environment to your advantage is when stuck alone. Rocks are your friend.

 

Anchor-selection and anchor based recovery methods:

There are two methods of recovery that involve the use of an anchor - winching and manual winching via a come-along or hi lift. In all of these methods, precaution for cable snapping and/or anchor failure should be taken. Use a heavy jacket or blanket to dampen the cable should it snap. Never put a warm, fleshy part of your body near a cable, anchor point, or between the vehicles more than necessary. Use every foot of your winch controller's cord to get yourself away from the danger area.

Anchors come in many forms - other vehicles, trees, rocks, man-made objects, and purpose built anchors (such as the pull-pal).

When using another vehicle, ensure that you're using a quality recovery point(s). When using natural or man made objects, you need to take in to consideration what will happen if the anchor fails. If you snap a telephone pole or bring down a live power line, you're going to be in a world of crap...

You can reduce the chances of this happening by having equalized and redundant anchors. This is a principle best explained by rock climbers. Here's a link to a pretty clear explanation of how to build an equalized and redundant anchor. http://www.uoregon.edu/~opp/climbing/topics/anchors.html

Using a snatch block will reduce the amount of strain on your winch and allow you to pull out heavier loads.

A come-along can often be helpful, even if you have a winch, to pull from directions that your winch cannot. Come-alongs can be used to stabilize an off camber vehicle or move a vehicle laterally.

A hi-lift winch can also be used as a come along. This article explains it well http://www.offroadadventures.com/articles/view/id/347

 

How to equip yourself to recover your vehicle for about a hundred to two hundred bucks. Look at this way - $200 may seem like a lot if you don't think you're ever going to get stuck, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a tow truck!

Obviously more is better when it comes to recovery gear, but the following items will give you a lot of options in getting yourself out.

42'' or larger Hi-Lift (or competing brand) jack: $60-80.

Hi-lift base for use in soft soil (purchased or otherwise improvised): $0-30

Hi-lift mount (can't have a 25 pound piece of metal flopping around): $5-25

30' recovery strap: $25-40

Two D-rings: $15-20

Shovel: $10-30

Short length of heavy duty chain: $10-30

 

I don't think I have ever used a place holder to get unstuck. But I have used a number of times: Winch, Block, Shovel, and Recovery Strap.

 

Don't forget a tree saver for when you winch or use a come-along/highlift.

 

Always let someone know where you are going. Might seem silly at the time but may save you ass at some point. If no one knows where you are then you are not lost and no one will look for you. And always carry extra gear. Jacket, food, water, energy drinks, flashlight, matches, lighter, cell phone(charged), knife, and preferably a map where you are offroading. This helps if something happens and you need to tell someone where you are to be found.

 

All good advice so far.
I will add a little.
all straps are not recovery straps.
some are towing straps and some are snatch straps.

Towing straps (usually yellow)are made for what the name says....towing.They aren't made for sudden impacts. They are for towing or pulling another vehicle.
examples: stuck on a rock; sugar sand; broke down

Towing Strap:


Snatch/Recovery straps are for yanking a truck out of something (mud, sand, etc.) They are somewhat elastic so they absorbe the impact of a good yank to free a stuck vehicle.
example: deep mud

Snatch Strap:


Snatch straps can be used for towing.
Towing shouldn't be used for snatching. (notice I didn't say can't)

I have seen towing straps(the loop, not stitching) snap when being used as snatch straps. Ive also experienced the truck coming to a stop like it was hitting a brick wall. It sucks.... trust me. I cant help but to think this hurts the truck.

 

bump

 

Back in the day, my brother and I owned a 74 Chevy Blazer 4x4. One Saturday night we went crusin by one of the places people go off-road. As we drove by, someone guy came walking towards us as we drove. We stopped, he said his Ford p-u was stuck in the ditch. So there went to help with recovery, it's about 10:30 at night and we have our girl friends with us. Cut to the chase....we got stuck, tore a hole in one of our fenders and did not have a chain or strap. Ended up getting friend out of bed with a come-along in tow. We learned always be prepared and always let someone know where your going. Cell phones were not heard of at the time. Man that sucked!

 

This look's cool! http://www.gpstrackersandmore.com/spot2-gps-tracker

 

Winch, Snatch Block & Ground Anchor.

 

is that a pullpal????
looks like a hi lift ?????

 

i wondered the same thing? what is that crazy contraption?

 

Check this out.
Recovery

in the thread you will find a link to a document for anchors and guy lines that is pretty in depth. it is the Bible on anchors. definitely download it and put it somewhere in the truck. the parts that seem useful and applicable to you that is...its pretty big for the glove box The link is in the anchors and guy lines section of 1st post.

 

Bookmarked!

 

Great Thread Chase, lots of good info !!!...



My Dad was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood back in 1951....

 

Huge shout out to my bro' GJBONNER !! How ya doing Guy ?? Hows the wife & daughter & that killer fisherman of a son you have ? Move went ok looks like, all is well I hope... having another Santee meet next week, should I add you to the list ??

 

Hahhaa i seen you guys were headed to Santee..pretty jealous! yeah move went great. I am now a nasty civilian as of jan 17th. Wife and kids are great. going to turn the little fisherman loose on the mountain lakes and wilderness rivers here. Nice sig pic bro, its always good to hear from you.

 

This is a Stinger Ground Anchor. The "SGA" is a ground anchor & a hi lift jack.
The base can be used as the foot of the jack. Ideal for using the jack in Snow,Sand & Mud.