Rec gear vs sliders, wild animal survival tips and short stories, confusion, and things!

Yee TONS of "oohh shittt" due to the crazy views!!!!!! Sunrise to sunset!!!! Probably my first real "ohh shit' was camping in BLM for the first time. But everything went smooth!!!

 

We see them a bunch out here in the Appalachians. It's cool. Ran across a Nat Geo photographer that was following a momma and her 3 cubs when i was doing a section hike. He had known momma for like 5 yrs since she was born. Momma would let her cubs come over and play with him then call them back over when it was time to go. Really cool to see that momma trusted him like she did. Makes you really think how the animal kingdom really isn't what science and books tell you. Get out as much as you can stay quiet and just observe and get as far away from well beaten paths as you can you'll see some things not many ever do.

 

That is true, you can. But for that you basically need all the stuff you'd need for a winch (cable or chain, tow strap (not a snatch strap), tree savers, etc...). Anybody I've seen immediately goes out and gets a winch after having you use a hi-lift as a winch. It sucks. Or so I've heard. Never done it myself...

It's generally not the type of thing people go for instead of a winch. It's something that you can use in addition to a winch during a complicated recovery (like for stabilization, etc...) or just in case your winch craps out.

 

Well yeah, that's why we have this imogi:

 

Tedious and dangerous, but it will work if you're in a pinch and have exhausted other options. It's good to know how to do (some good videos on it) but I wouldn't go out relying on that method.

Hi Lifts work better as recovery tools if you're stuck and use it to lift the truck up a bit and put something under the wheels that will give you traction, or otherwise help get the truck moving. But more than anything a Hi-Lift is really just supposed to be used as a jack. If you blow a tire on a trail you'll be glad you have one and not have to use the bottle jack.

But Hi-Lifts can be sketchy especially offroad so it's best to learn how to use them safely at home first, and grab one of the bigger bases to put under it for when you use them on the trail

 

Friends with hilift still a better option!

You can use a good cheap come along as a winch if you need too and still easier than the tribulations of a hilift as a winch! 9/10 a set of track boards will probably do better and be easier for the quick grab!

 

yeah Id rather use a come-along winch than operate a Hi Lift as one, but come along winches are bulky and heavy to carry around on the trail. But if you go solo a lot it might be worth getting. I'd rather save up and get a winch bumper and winch though

 

A come along although not a winch is freaking handy! It’s in the arsenal even though I have a winch! Great for fucking up the forest and pulling down firewood.

 

Deadman anchors are pretty cool too, if you haven't seen those look them up. Gotta have a winch already though but they're useful if you need to winch out and there aren't any trees around.

 

Mine cost like $250 (4xInnovations) plus shipping... just sayin...

(minus the cost of the welder, that is...)

 

They made over here too at Blue Ridge Overland Gear. Pretty cool stuff.

 

That's dangerous.

 

welcome to the addiction!

 

Yee... I don't think I'm ready for a winch.. So I'll probably buy a pair of maxtrax! and tow strap. maybe a better shovel. And some new friends.

 

Look at your local area in the regions area of here see if there are some meet ups and trips or start one and just inquire with those guys that are familiar with the area. That will be key.

 

If cost is an issue don’t
Maxtrax right away unless you think it’s warranted! As far as shovels go don’t get an Angry beaver go for a $10 Home Depot shovel!!!!

This is why I asked about the “ohhh shit” moments! Ohh shit cool view is one thing ohh shit 60* angle the truck in a rut is another!

Sure you can dig back to 45 or less...... or you can just not do more than the truck is “technically for warranty purposes” capable of without friends w recovery gear.

Trust me I’m the pot calling the kettle.... but do what you need to for what you need to do!

Do not do what we tell you cause we told you! It is advice on our own experiences not yours!

And.... end... PS.. no end! PSS we could keep talking about.. No end!!

 

Check out the build thread in the sig!!! Only a 14 months in production! Fast n furious of which I’ve warned against!

Don’t do it if you’re not committed! And don’t let these assholes including me tell you what you need to do! We’ll try to help per experience but your truck, your rules, your recovery, is on you ultimately!

 

I've seen 1-2 meet up but I usually try to work 6 days a week to paid off this truck. I hate being in debt.

 

Roads End? Friday? Momma Bear wore a collar?

 

Yes it was Friday at Sequoia national park. I didn't see a collar. She was hiding pretty good but her Cubs like being monkeys and climbing on the branches.