I'm Stuck - Tell Me How To Get Out.

http://stingergroundanchor.com/

 

MaxTrax or something similar...if you don't want the winch.

 

Call DavidK? Hypothetically of course

 

I'm with the guys who say a winch is cheaper than a tow. You can get a hitch mount tray and a front hidden winch and only use it when you need it. But the once that you get out by yourself instead of paying for a tow or waiting an overnight for someone to come get you it be worth it.
If you are going to go trekking out alone into areas you are worried about getting stuck- having the right gear is crucial....even if it's expensive.

 

G scott04,

Thanks for the Stinger anchor. I may try to modify a heavy spud bar for now. But I will put the stinger on my list.

I am thinking of welding a "V" tipped 1/4"x 5"x12" plate to one side of a heavy spud bar that can be driven into the ground. The plate will act to offer more resistance to pulling over during winching. A Hi-Lift can be used to extract the spud bar if needed.

 

Around here, winch is DEF a cheaper solution than a tow. I know at least for the sand, they charge you $250 just to touch the sand. Not including time, distance, and how bad of a recovery it is. And i know most tow companies charge just to leave the pavement. I've heard of a $800 tow bill for off-road recovery.

 

In real life i would never go without a friend or at least be able to call one. But i usually never get stuck

 

You could also use the Hi-Lift with these to lift using the wheels. Its a cheaper option if you don't have sliders or aftermarket rear/front bumpers.

 

In boy scouts we used to make anchors using a group of live tree limbs.


You can even group them together with a log.


If you have tons of time and nothing to anchor to, you can make as many of these as you need.

http://pioneeringmasters.org/PM_anchors.php

 

Bingo! You should never go into the middle of nowhere without another truck to help if problems arise or at least have cell signal.

 

OP: If you are going to be going out by yourself at all and you dont think you are going to be able to call a buddy to pull you out....you NEED a winch. You can get a budget winch that has a good reputation for $400-$600 (smittybuilt, Warn, Ramsey). Just save up.

All that other equipment is great...but a winch will get you out.

Think about how bad it would suck to have to spend the night out in the woods, possibly when its cold with no food, water, warmth...etc..And if you go out somewhere remote where you are a decent distance from civilization you may even end up in a worse spot.

And think about how much you might end up paying for a 4x4 wrecker.

But another good solution that I haven't seen anyone mention is a high quality come-along w/ the capacity for your truck.


I have gone out by myself before, thats dumb enough, but I always have 2-3 people I can call.

 

rev limiter

 

hypothetically i wouldnt be going thru terrain if i didnt have a backup plan in the first place

 

Good call! I always forget about that!

 

lan-cor, pull pal, smittybilt pull pal knock off, and a couple other brands

then theres burying your spare tire


I often go out alone.

 

Wow. A wide range of suggestions and advice. In addition to the ever popular vehicle-mounted winch, I'm also seeing shovels, axes, come-alongs, straps, shackles, Hi-Lifts, cellphones, off-road wreckers, floor mats, traction aids, bottle jacks, air/exhaust bags, sliders, aftermarket bumpers, plywood, and much more.

Some of that (shovel, come-along, straps, traction aids, etc) was already on my shopping list. Of course, would always carry my cellphone on a trip. Also equipping the truck with a CB radio, with the hope of perhaps contacting someone else within range who might be able to pull me out.

However, the value of lifting the vehicle with a Hi-Lift and/or an exhaust bag is a big question mark (no experience whatsoever). That said, the Hi-Lift could at least serve as a come-along.

As for the vehicle-mounted winch, there are currently very few mounting options available for a 2012 Tacoma and those few are darn expensive. One of those mounts with a decent winch could well exceed a grand, which would be a stretch at the moment. Anything cheaper? Obviously, an expensive aftermarket bumper is entirely out of the question (and perhaps a bit of overkill as well).

Again, appreciate the advice and links to recovery guides. While I might not respond to each and every comment, I'm carefully listening to, and seriously pondering, it all.

-

 

self recovery

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...day-afternoon-trail-riding-self-recovery.html

 

not proud of how i got stuck but i made the best of the resources i had on me.

i knew if i called a buddy he would give me shit for having a prerunner.

 

Seriously I think a shovel, hi-lift, sliders, and some waffle boards are the best combo for you. Or an exhaust jack, waffle boards, and a shovel (and some plywood).

Makes a world of difference in self recovery. Or at least the jacking option so you can fill the holes under the tires. If you're in a deep puddle of muck this might be more difficult but if you're in nasty mud with lots of ruts this will definitely help.

Most will recommend the ARB exhaust jack and if you're depending it, probably the way to go. There is also the titan exhaust jack though at 1/3 of the price. 240 vs 80 I think

You can get waffle boards on ebay.

This is an email from this ebay seller from this thread.
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175556

hi-lift would run you about 60 and sliders a few hundred

 

CB is for people right there with you... offroading clubs and buddies. If you want to contact people in remote areas with no cell coverage get a HAM operators license and a good HAM radio. MUCH better range, you can use repeaters in many areas, and you will be more likely to contact someone who can help. Since a HAM cant do CB frequencies legally you really should get both at some point.