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Let's Build My Off-road Recovery Bag

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by Allstar780, Mar 21, 2015.

  1. Mar 21, 2015 at 10:26 PM
    #1
    Allstar780

    Allstar780 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Alright so I've read the stickies, I know what I need... I know that recovery straps, a winch, a shovel, etc. are my best friends in the world of off-road recovery...

    What I'm looking for is your specific brand and product recommendations... I know when I buy a winch it will be a WARN based on past experiences... I know that all load-rated D-rings are basically the same... But what do you guys use?

    What type of shovel do you keep in the truck? Folding for convenience? 2 foot fixed handle? Full length?

    Whose tree-saver strap have you had good experience with? Are they all made equal?

    Did you buy a fully stocked emergency first aid kit or did you assemble your own?

    I look forward to the input of the many knowledgeable members on here.

    Thanks!

    What I currently have in the truck for recovery gear :

    -c cell led flashlight
    -receiver hitch d-ring
    -ratcheting puller (come-along) 3000kg rated
    -sling strap 6500kg
    -30 foot synthetic tow rope 6500kg
    -3x d-rings
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2015
  2. Mar 21, 2015 at 10:46 PM
    #2
    ShawnR

    ShawnR Roads?? We don't need no stinkin' roads...

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    Pull-Pal. When you are stuck in the mud by yourself, and no trees to winch from.
    Its a heavy piece of steel anchor, but boy it can SAVE your butt. May need a shovel to un-bury it after it gets you out...
     
  3. Mar 22, 2015 at 5:17 AM
    #3
    weldo

    weldo Well-Known Member

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    I carry this shovel. Nupla RP14D-E #2 Ergo Power Round Point Shovel, Heavy Gauge Blade, D Grip, 14 Gauge, 27" Handle. It's supposed to be very strong and the handle is more weather proof than a wooden one. Bought on Amazon, $32.

    [​IMG]

    Also, maybe a large pry bar could come it handy? I have a 36" one I keep in my tool box. Could help move rocks or logs or double as a half assed digging bar if necessary.
     
  4. Mar 22, 2015 at 7:06 AM
    #4
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    The most important thing to always remember.... NEVER GO OFFROAD ALONE!!!! If something happens and you're hurt and can't call for help - you're screwed.

    Depending on what type of offroading you do, will depend on the severity of your gear. Don't cheap out on any gear.

    Anything that involves towing, pulling, recovery...will have a weight rating. They're NOT all the same. You've gotta make sure the gear you get is heavy duty enough (rated enough) for what you're trying to do.

    Tow straps - Get a 'Stretch-n-snatch' style. These are much better on your vehicle and you can get much more pulling power with them. They act like a rubber band to pull/recoil. I'd at least go with 3" wide...

    Tree Saver - I highly recommend getting a tree saver with at least TWICE the rating as your winch (3 or even 4" wide). Once you have a winch and a snatch block, etc - you increase the capacity and that tree saver has gotta be good enough to handle it.

    Winch - Great choice on the WARN. I highly recommend getting synthetic rope with a Hause fairlead (do not use roller fairlead with synthetic rope)

    Snatch Block - Every winch owner should have a snatch block. Make sure the snatch block is big enough (rating) and can accommodate the size of your cable/rope (thickness).

    Not all D-rings are created equal. They also have 'ratings' . D-rings that have the 'screw in' pins are best and the thicker the better. These are sold in different thicknesses and ratings.

    I've only ever offroaded with organized groups. Shovels were never needed. If you think about it.....anything that you could physically dig thru by hand - you could be pulled out of with vehicle power or a winch. Why bother digging?

    First Aide Kit? - Meh...only for serious stuff like Epi pens, bee sting or other aides for animal bites, tick removal tool, etc. For anything else.....you'd either be calling 911 for emergencies, a roll of paper towels and a couple band-aids for small cuts.... OR... you'd be driving out of the trails to take someone to the hospital because they broke an arm or have a serious gash.
     
  5. Mar 22, 2015 at 12:17 PM
    #5
    Allstar780

    Allstar780 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    As much as a land anchor can be valuable, I think I'll save my money for other equipment. Luckily for me, there's not really anywhere I'll be going (especially alone) that doesn't have trees... I'm in a part of the country where the only areas without trees are swamps, highways, and farmland :D

    Though we do have a weird, supposedly military land anchor that rides in the Iltis for offroading trips... But I've never had occasion to use it... It just came with the vehicle.



    Janster thanks for all the input! I'm looking at doing everything piece by piece until I get a bumper and winch... I also have a marine grade waterproof duffle bag that if possible I'd like to fit all or most of the gear into so that (with the exception of a tow rope for ditch recovery in winter) I can leave the extra weight behind on daily drives
     
  6. Mar 22, 2015 at 6:00 PM
    #6
    weldo

    weldo Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Mar 22, 2015
  7. Mar 25, 2015 at 5:24 PM
    #7
    neverstuck

    neverstuck Well-Known Member

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    What kind of off-roading you do will dictate whatcha gotta put in your bag.

    Sand, mud, rocks, cement curbs, etc.
     
  8. Mar 25, 2015 at 5:42 PM
    #8
    Allstar780

    Allstar780 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mostly mud for sure... And the mud we have here is very clay heavy, so it sticks to everything
     
  9. Mar 25, 2015 at 5:50 PM
    #9
    neverstuck

    neverstuck Well-Known Member

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    For self recovery get traction mats (Maxtrax, TRED, whatever you can afford or get your hands on) and a round nose long fixed handle old-school shovel. Winch isn't necessary in most cases if you're with someone else a rope will get you unstuck, or if you want a winch alternative (or supplement) look at these: Wyeth Scott hand winches
    I have one and LOVE it. It takes longer but those things are strong enough to lift your truck clear off the ground, are made of cast iron and will last forever, and you can hook it to your truck to pull it forward, backward, sideways, you name it. My 2 cents.

    Also... I carry a good bottle back with a couple pieces of 2x6 and 4x4 blocks to help get it jacked up in poor terrain if necessary.

    I have a pretty good first aid kit that I have added to as I saw fit. Good headlamp, meds, dog stuff, etc.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2015
  10. Mar 26, 2015 at 7:37 AM
    #10
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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  11. Apr 8, 2015 at 2:36 PM
    #11
    Spoon93

    Spoon93 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure where you go, but I know in Oregon all National Forest/Wilderness/BLM & OHV areas require you to carry a shovel and like 2-3 gallons of water (a fire extinguisher of a certain size can be substituted for the water but I can't remember what size exactly).

    I go alone everywhere so a shovel is key. I don't have a winch and I am a stock truck with AT tires. Now I am only on FS roads and such but a shovel has gotten me out of mud & snow many of times.
     
  12. Apr 8, 2015 at 5:25 PM
    #12
    Nate87

    Nate87 Well-Known Member

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    You got all the major stuff covered. I'd add the simple stuff like gloves for running winch line and consider a headlamp vs a handheld. Lots of that stuff requires two hands so holding a light while trying to work sucks.
     
  13. Apr 8, 2015 at 7:08 PM
    #13
    weldo

    weldo Well-Known Member

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    A headlamp is a great idea. I've overlooked that myself. Gotta throw one in the truck.
     
  14. Apr 8, 2015 at 7:16 PM
    #14
    Allstar780

    Allstar780 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. I have one in my hunting gear but I didn't consider it for in the truck. Good call Nate87
     

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