Recovery advice (NOT urgent)

I’ll start by saying no one is stranded and there is no immediate danger. I’m posting here because the recovery sub-forum isn’t very active, and I own a 3rd gen. If it needs to be moved that is fine.

So my buddy got his truck stuck. He was driving up a seasonal road and slid into the ditch, his Chevy is 2WD. Here is a photo:



Tow truck won’t go down seasonal roads, he’s going to try and get a tractor out there tomorrow but if that doesn’t pan out I’m going to head down after work tomorrow and try and help him out.

My truck:
-2017 2.7 4x4 manual
-stock suspension
-245/75/16 Falkens 75% tread
-tow hitch w/shackle mount
-ARB front recovery point

My Gear:
-shackles (3)
-ARB 17500lb snatch strap
-shovel
-sand bags
-strong back

I also have access to come-a-longs, lifting straps and all manner of wood cribbing. His boss already tried to pull him out with his ford on street tires and some cheap tow straps w/hooks but couldnt get traction on the snow.

Obviously the tractor would be ideal, but I’m looking for the advice of more experienced off roaders if I do end up going down there. I work construction so I’m experienced with heavy equipment and safe rigging, with a good dose of common sense but I haven’t done much of this kind of thing.

Since we do have access from both sides, (see map below) I’m thinking try and snatch him out from the front first, if that fails then try from the back. Then we’d try the come-a-longs to winch him back on the road, I think with shovels and wood we could make that work.
Sorry for the novel guys, lemme know what you think!

 

You'll be fine. Use a strap and not a chain.
Good luck.

 

Looks like a simple pull if you can get traction with your truck. I'd try pulling him from the front (diagonally towards the other side of the road- the same way his tires are pointed in the pic) using your snatch strap. Good news is that it looks like he has a recovery hook on the passenger's side lower bumper, but I'd double check that point for mounting integrity on the Chevy before the pull. That and something to get traction for the both of you- wood, sand, plywood with lateral board screwed into it, anything that will help you guys grip and not slide around in the snow. I'd recommend you start slow and get tension on the line and ease into the throttle in both trucks. Don't try to hammer down because you'll most likely spin the wheels and just slide around yourself.

 

I like the plywood+board idea, free and easy traction boards!

 

Id buy some Maxtrax or TredPros, I'm really fond of the tredpros. If he had a pair himself he'd be able to get himself home, too late to use them for this recovery so just go pull him out. But I'd have a pair handy for future use

 

Those hooks are good. I have pulled several chevy's out using them. Looks like a snatch strap will do it. I don't know if you have ever used one or not but don't be afraid to get a little running start if you have to. something like a 3-4 mph

 

In towing we say " it comes out the way it went in." But if the frame isn't buried it can go from the front. Don't look too bad.

 

He down near Letchworth?

 

Thats some simple yet extremely useful and easy to remember advice for anyone getting into offroading, I'm for sure borrowing that!

 

Doesn’t look buried, but the passenger side tires are in some melt water, hoping it doesn’t freeze solid overnight hahaha.

Yep, good eye. Good old Nunda, NY.

 

I hunt down there every year, thought it looked familiar...
I'm off at 3:00 tomorrow, if you need any help.

 

I’m with pulling him from the back. It’ll be much easier than pulling the front (traction wise).

Get a very small running start less than 5 mph, do not just floor it. Also try not to spin your tires either or else you’ll just dig in and get your rig stuck.

 

Similar situation 5 or 6 years ago. We were bird hunting in NM after a wet night, 2 vehicles with 3 or 4 guys, and my brother got his 4WD Duramax stuck in a roadside ditch. We pulled him out with our rental FWD Chrysler mini van. Go figure.

 

Pulling from the back would definitely get a gravity assist, my only concern would be the front end not wanting to come up and out.

 

Thanks! I’m hoping it’ll be fairly simple but I also know the word “should” can be dangerous lol.

 

I've never got a running start of any kind pulling something out. That's how things break.

Get tension then have the stuck truck try and move while you start to pull him out. It should be a simple operation. Try not to spin your wheels.

I could be wrong but I've pulled a lot of stuff out in my day.

 

that's what you do with a snatch strap. It stretches so there isn't a hard bang when you hit the end of the strap. you can't with a tow strap it doesn't stretch

 

Thanks for the education. I didn't know that!

 

Straighten his wheels and go backward looks like you have some visible dirt stay on that as much as possible and it looks downhill use a snatch strap and give him a good tug once you get moving then turn to get out of the ditch. Good chance the tires in the ditch will freeze overnight if it gets cold enough.

 

I was stuck in the snow last November and was luckily saved by a local guy. Based on what he did for me, I would suggest the following.

1. Pull from the back as some people have already suggested.

2. For his truck, straighten the front tires and adjust once the truck starts moving. No abrupt handling.

3. If you cannot pull him diagonally against the road, you might need to pull him parallel to the road first. If that is the case, be sure to know how much his truck can go backwards. He does not want to get stuck in a deeper ditch.

4. Get snow chain for your wheels to get the best grip, if you can.

Good luck