Tacomas in Minnesota?

The last ETA I got is tomorrow morning. At this point I kind of wish I would have just tried the hilift jack and plank plan. I wasted a whole day waiting.

 

I would give it try

 

The truck is recovered. Once the “winch box” was in position it took no more than 10s took pull the truck out. I didn’t get a video of that part because I was driving.

The recovery team was having a great time driving the winch box around in the snow and mud. It seemed like they don’t get to do that every day.

They were concerned that I might get stuck while driving out, but I told them that I was confident the taco could handle it. I locked the rear diff and wheeled right out taking the more challenging line up a hill to the road. The winch box followed far behind me.

I’m having trouble uploading a video I took. Stay tuned. I do have a photo of the underside of my bumper and skid plate. The damage was quite light. A few plastic tabs came loose and I think the skid is slightly bent.

 

The “winch box”.

 

lol, dude, did you not want to actually get out haha

 

No actuality I wanted to go explore the area some more; especially since I had a “winch box” as a backup. I’m going to have to drive 3 hours north to get my fix now. That or wait for 12”+ of snow.

 

Just give it a week or two at the rate we’re going

 

Then he can get stuck trying to climb the snow pile at the mall!

Also that machine is a telehandler. There aren’t even tracks!

 

Need to find the pic of a HEMMT wrecker, pulling a HEMMT wrecker, pulling a HEMMT out of a mud pit in the middle of the desert.

Twas a good day.

 

I'm aware. It was described to me as a tracked vehicle when they were trying to sell me the service. The biggest lessons I have learned are 1) carry an elastic snatch strap at all times 2) make more friends with 4x4's they are willing to get dirty.

 

Sounds like more of us need to invest in a winch as well.

 

Or just not drive through construction sites.

 

There are also a lot of people that just buy a winch and think it’ll get them out of anything and never put in the effort to learn how to properly use and maintain it. It is a dangerous tool that people should get some proper training on but so many people just slap it on their truck and never think about it until “oh shit I’m stuck” only to find out their winch is now a glorified decoration piece because they haven’t touched it since putting it on.

Thank you for coming to my TedTalk. /rant

 

I hear that. I know a couple jeepers that that has happened to. I don't have one yet because I haven't gotten that stuck but I know when I do and I don't have one yet I'm going to be pissed. That also being said there are many times where I wish I had one just to use around the yard or to help others out.

 

I bought a set of maxtrax. Way more useful than a winch IMO.

 

I have used them quite a lot at work and I’d rather not ever touch one if I can avoid it. You’d be better served by some maxtrax and a shovel than anything else. Add in a kenetic strap is you do anything with people.

A lot of off-roading is about risk mitigation, choosing good lines to get through things the easiest way. My biggest pet peeve is people defaulting to I need a winch for off-roading when a few much cheaper recovery options and some critical thinking while driving can get you much further.

Gudu does a good job at demonstrating that point for me. He decided to take what he thought was a shortcut through an unknown, snow covered construction site instead of known safe and established routes and ended up stranded because of it. Sometimes the quickest way is the longer route.

 

Also

Contrary to popular belief, you can still get stuck with a winch. There will be times where you dont have a good anchor point, your winch line is too short, you dont have the right pull angle, not enough winch power, your winch doesnt work, etc.

 

Or you just have absolutely nothing to winch to.

 

Glad you got out.. don't forgot those new tabs!