Where to put recovery gear

So I have recently purchased and begun modifying my first gen extended cab Tacoma and I was wondering what the best options are for keeping recovery equipment (chains, shackles, tow ropes etc). I would like to not use a bed box as I need the full length of the bed for hauling my dirtbike around any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

First off, I assume you mean tire chains, right?

Don't EVER use a chain for recovery. Use a tow strap/snatch strap.

 

Yes I do mean tire chains, I should have been more specific.

 

I assume you mean tire chains?

Don't use a chain for recovery. Ever.

But I would just get all your equipment together and see what size bag might fit it all. Then head over to harbor freight and get a soft tool bag and stuff it on the floor behind the driver's seat, or passenger, whatever works best. If you have a larger "master" bag and a few smaller bags, that will help compartmentalize everything, maybe put your shackles and snatch block etc in one bag, your tow straps in another (keeps them from getting tore up against sharp metal objects), and I always like the rollup tool mats for yout wrenches and stuff.

 

You should be able to fit everything you need into a relatively small box or bag

 

Sorry, that was a weird half post. My phone likes to glitch sometimes, lol

 

Had a co-worker show me a video once of someone using a chain for recovery and it snapped. It immediately shattered the window and took the kid in the drivers seats jaw off!!! (It was like a Faces of death video) Synthetic rope is the way to go. Little more expensive but it parts and drops to the ground instead of a chain that comes back at you that will take your head apart like a pumpkin.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I agree with the others, soft tool bag or duffel bag. Stap it down if you put it in the cab so it doesn't kill you if you hit something.

 

I got a shell in my bed and a bed in the back I just keep stuff in my cubbies under the bed, or behind the seat

 

Depends some parts of the country it needs to live in the Truck because it can be needed any time.

Then some can just toss it in for those trips to the far reaches of the Mall .

Funny how the weight of the truck gets heavier all the time while fuel mileage drops into the single digits .

The trouble with Chains is we (some)* still think any steel chain must be much stronger then any type of fabric I deal with this all the time.

I carry assorted Slings still get told lets use this old chain gotta be stronger then my 10,000 pound rated sling .

Being that it is steel of unknown strength

 

I love the Rothco canvas bags. I have three sizes of them and have all my gear in them. They've been rattling around in the bed or cab of my truck constantly for two years and look good as new.

$24 Rothco Mechanics Tool Bag With Brass Zipper - Olive Drab

https://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Mecha...1_1?keywords=rothco+bag&qid=1582105155&sr=8-1

 

Yeah, that's "the one" everyone shows. It's disturbing.

But I don't really agree that synthetic rope is really "safer". Anything misused is unsafe. Hi-lift jacks are also unsafe if misused. Properly used and respected, they are fine. I see people all the time just being complacent with safety because they have this magically "safe" synth line, or some hi-lift alternative.

Synth lines have their own drawbacks, besides just the price. You can't drag them on the ground and they degrade with sun exposure/time.

 

I had a set of swingcases on my 3rd gen. They worked well for organizing and storing recovery gear. I'm not sure if they make something like that for the first gen, but if they do, it would be worth checking out. Otherwise, a big storage bin would work well.

 

Just found this video. It’s pretty interesting.

https://youtu.be/97XqNX3yFTk

 

Steel cables and chain and tow straps with hooks are definately killers and will maime and kill if they let loose. I also agree that the other "safer" products are only slightly less dangerous. I have broken a synthetic winch line while winching and it flung about 60ft and wrapped itself around a tree a few times and it would have sucked if that was a leg. I have also broken a few tow straps and they fling all over the place. You always want to be standing clear of the path of any flying winch ropes or recovery straps.

The high lift is dangerous as hell, I took a handle to the chin because I left the handle in the down position for a split second and took my hand off of it, and my truck has fallen off of it a few times. It's a badass tool, but dangerous as hell if you dont respect it. I usually bring my floor jack with me on wheeling trips incase I have to change a tire on the road or do any work on it in camp and save the highlift for recovery.

 

why tho

 

haha, seen that one too.

A classic lesson in maybe don't route your winch cable through your roof rack, and definitely don't stand near cable/ropes during a recovery.

 

Because chains are heavy as hell, and aren't meant for dynamic loads.

Also, google "why you don't use a chain to recover a 4x4" and you'll find the video we were talking about earlier in this thread.

 

I wonder what ever happen to that kid? I’ve been in situations were we had to get someone off the ship to receive medical help in a hurry but I couldn’t imagine being in a situation like that. They most likely didn’t have phone service. With his injuries a proffessional would probably tell you not to move him but being that they were in a remote location you really wouldn’t have that much of a choice.