General use recovery kit

Without climbing rocks or jumping into mud puddles, what's actually needed for a basic recovery setup?

I've been looking at all the gear as a few main kits:

• Basic recovery - traction boards, shovel, etc.
• On-board air - for traction or flat tires
• Assisted recovery kit - added recovery points, snatch strap, etc.
• Bottle jack kit
• Hi-lift kit - plus bumpers and/or sliders, maybe winch kit
• Winch setup

I'm planning on traveling & camping, often just a single vehicle, maybe hit some gravel roads or snowy conditions. Not planning on getting crazy but I know people get stuck all the time (living in Minnesota).

Which gear is actually necessary to deal with the general unexpected and stay safe? Avoiding breaking the bank, transforming the truck and carrying way too much. Any minimalist recovery experts out there?

 

Here's what I run with:

4x maxtrax
shovel
ARB Compressor
ARB tire repair kit
Hitch recovery shackle

I've been all over the country solo and it's been more than sufficient.

 

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ARB Tire repair kit, ever used it?
I've never seen a tire repaired without taking it off the rim.

 

A shovel
Small pickaxe for hard packed soil
Snatch strap
Hitch shackle
Headlamps
Comfortable work gloves with some dexterity
Stock bottle jack with 16x16 3/4 plywood base for soft sand
Air compressor that connects to battery terminals instead of cigarette lighter(usually higher amp, little faster inflation for about same price)
Tire plugs
FULL size spare, upgrade in tire size, upgrade the spare as well
Traction boards *maybe*

Hi lift is cool and theory and everything but I have yet to see anyone use theirs. I have one and I have only needed it to break tire beads off a wheel for manual tire changes. The items above plus some basic things like airing down, careful to not dig yourself further in, and creative problem solving CALM thinking will get you out of almost all situations.

Winch setup is anything but basic recovery, you're going past basic with that.

One thing to keep in mind is not just recovery gear but gear you should have along with your recovery gear. Headlamps, batteries, backup communication if you become hurt or impossibly stuck/broken down, extra food/snacks/water because you might be digging for a while. A boonie cap for digging all afternoon in the sun, change of beater clothes after doing a recovery in mud while it's raining, a poncho, etc.

 

yep I've used it. it works pretty well actually. you'd still want to get a proper patch when you get back to civilization but it'll definitely get you back home and then some if necessary.

this is pretty much the process.

 

Forgot to mention that one. I also have a Garmin Inreach and a HAM radio. When you need help, you definitely aren't going to have cell phone coverage.

A basic first aid kid is also good to have.

 

If you get stuck in Minnesota is mostly because you were doing something dumb, weren’t equipped to do, or both. A nice set of tires, maxtraxx, and common sense will get you a long way. The only time I’ve been stuck up here was because I forgot to even think about the possibility of getting stuck, what I would do, and if I should just turn around.

 

Funny, I think that covers most situations.

 

Sounds like you have most of the basics thought of. Allow me to add some food for thought.

Traction boards, shovel, maybe axe or bowsaw depending on the area
Air deflator/Compressor of some sort
Snatch strap ...and proper knowledge of where and how to use it
Jack that works with your vehicle (lifted truck or bogged truck may not be able to use OEM jack)
Hi-lift/winch if applicable - (look into how to construct a "flip flop" winch as an added bonus tool for your mental toolbox)
winch accessories - snatch block, tree strap, etc for added winch factor

Comms - Cell phone, SPOT/Inreach, HAM or other radio service
Signal - VS Panel, mirror

ALSO, a good first aid kit. One slipup with a hilift, bad day with a winch or snatch strap, etc and you may need one.

 

A slip up with a hilift, winch or snatch strap only requiring a first aid kit and not a helicopter ride would be a good day lol

 

Well, true. But it is hard to pack a helicopter in your truck, so you could at least triage and stabilize while waiting #shortbedproblems

 

Truly "Basic" would be a shovel, a folding saw, a recovery strap and a friend with another 4x4. Use the stock front tow hook, and if you have a rear hitch, stick a trailer pin in there and hook the strap to that. That's yer basic recovery kit.

Then there are the things that I keep even in my wife's car: first aid, emergency blanket, water, etc... that's more of "safety" gear, not recovery gear tho.

Anything after that is really just a "convenience". It's amazing how resourceful you get when you need to, lol... To illustrate the opposite of this, I once saw a pic (on this forum, actually) of a 3rd gen stranded and abandoned on a not very technical trail. Only thing I could see was a flat tire - no leaky fluids, nothing. Dude apparently couldn't change a flat tire. Don't be that guy.


You don't "need" coms, a hi-lift, a winch or traction boards. Just tell someone where you're going and when to start looking for you, your stock jack actually works in a lot more situations than you'd think, and as long as you have a shovel and that friend with a 4x4, you don't "need" traction boards or a winch, either.

Don't bother getting a hi-lift if you still have stock bumpers, lol

 

Dustrude 30" Buck Saw
Fiskars 28" Chopping axe
Army issue E-Tool
Snatch strap
Tire plug kit with a T-handle tool
Tiny Air compressor
Fixed blade Knife
Leatherman Rebar
Duct Tape
Zip-ties

I've only truly been stuck once, and I was in a clay pit that looked like a dry road bed crossing over an artisian well. The truck sat down on the frame (89' Toyota 4x4 with buckshot mudders). I dug down past the tires and it never dried out. I was pulled out by a cousin a few miles up the trail. I was lucky he was Turkey hunting or it would have been a long walk back to pop's tractor.

 

Thanks for the tips guys

 

Just make sure if you do have something you know how to use it. Dont wait until youre stuck to learn how a hi-lift works

 

Absolutely THIS. And this sage advice is applicable to all tools and specialty gear.

 

+1000

I can imagine someone reading online about needing to take spare CV joints with you, but it's also good to know how to change them, lol

The more you work on your truck replacing and upgrading parts, the more intuitive this becomes, but it doesn't hurt to do some basic repairs with the set of tools you take on your rig. Even something as simple as changing a tire. If you're the type that always uses an impact driver at home, you may end up not having the proper lug wrench. oops!

If you find out you don't have a particular tool in your bag that you need to replace, say the CVs, go buy one! Even if you have that tool at home, it pays to have a completely separate set of tools for the trail. I've certainly "lost" a few tools here and there trying to keep straight which of my tools are where (shop or truck). And inevitably, you forget to pack a certain tool before heading to the trail.

 

I will add that the best tool is the one between your ears. Know your gear, how to use it and most importantly don't put yourself into a situation that is beyond whatever gear you have. The minimum is always based on what you plan on doing. If you have not planned for it don't do it. Additional advice after reading original post a second time. Since you said a single vehicle don't forget about supplies for an extended stay as well as gear for possibly leaving the vehicle and hiking out.

 

2 shackles and a strap lol that's all I keep in the truck 24/7. If i go to the beach or something them i put my winch on but that's all i have ever used

 

My basic kit that is usually in the truck:

Tire repair kit
Compressor
ARB deflator
TREDs x4 (traction boards)
Snatch strap + necessary rigging
Shovel

I took out the high lift. It’s heavy and I’ve never used it. I don’t seek out the most difficult route so I’m doing without.