Gear

Dumb question, but I got to thinking about all the proper recovery gear I need such as arb tow points and proper hitch links. Wouldn’t it be beneficial if I had two hitch links in case the person who is coming to pull me out doesn’t have anything but, a trailer hitch ball?

 

Carry a couple of spare soft shackles and a crescent wrench - that way you can remove your buddies tow ball and replace it with the shackle- while berating them for taking the wrong draw bar onto the trail.

 

I actually have a spare hitch that I could just remove the ball myself and keep with me however, I also thought that another fail point was the hitch itself considering it’s hollow and 1/4” steel maybe.

I’m also in Ms so, your average truck is going to be 1/2 and 3/4 ton with factory tow in front. Explaining it is headache, they don’t care so, that’s why I’m thinking ahead.

 

Are you worried about getting high-centered on a speed bump or hung up on a concrete parking spot stop?


Where the hell are the "I'm a smartass" emojies when you need one?

 

What does that even mean? What are you talking about?

 

This can be used to securely fasten to your hitch for recovery ... https://www.factor55.com/p-hitchlink-2-0. Couple with snatch straps and soft-shackles it is safer than anything that offsets from directly inline to the hitch. Here is a video of what happens when unskilled and untrained people try to "help" you:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kingman-az-man-died-in-offroad-recovery.774094/

EDIT: NOT a dumb question given the cost of doing it wrong.

 

Yes, that exactly the item I was talking about and am going to purchase. I’ve seen multiple debriefs of catastrophic failures. It’s mostly thick clay down here and, the last time I was stuck a 57 series John Deer had pull me out after snapping my factory tow hook. He broke a chain and then was able to lift me up with a front end loader because I was on frame and the suction was to bad. My kinetic rope saved me. I don’t know how that was interpreted to a parking lot but, I’ve been around alot of death in the military and LE so, safety is a priority.

 

Some people are trying to be funny, but not clear about it. The jokes about "mall crawlers" can be better phrased. But I try to take such broken attempts with some tolerance.

It is good you know how things can go pear-shaped rapidly.

 

Thanks. Wasn’t trying to get butt hurt or annoy anyone but, I’m not going to buy cheap stuff and regret it. I respect the experience in this website.

 

The two default front hooks are for simple-flat towing or holding down on the delivery truck. ARB is rated and it is designed to fall back/down in a front impact to avoid frame twisting.

 

I carry a spare hitch pin as a back up if I misplace mine, but in a pinch you can use the pin itself and just run your strap or a soft shackle around the pin while it’s secured in the receiver. It’s relatively cheap and a safer option than some things I've seen people rig up.