Tips for recovery of stuck motorist?

What a bunch of idiots. It's winch cable. To be used for a static pull, with a winch. Not jerk a truck buried to the frame wit another truck going 30 cable, what the fuck where they expecting to happen????

 

I used to meet people with stuck cars skiing who wanted a push. They'd spin their wheels and spray mud and slush on me.

I changed my policy. They got it stuck, if they want help I will drive and they can push.

More than half the time I could drive their car out without a push, they were stuck because they didn't know how to drive. The biggest mistake was trying to start up with the wheels turned to the lock. I probably wouldn't help them by driving their car now.

A guy I knew got stuck in a friend's yard with his 2wd pickup. I borrowed my friend's international with a PTO winch to rescue him. I evaluated the situation and determined I could pull him out, we didn't need to winch.

I told him not to try to help, only steer, as his truck was sunk to the axles. I forgot he was stupid and didn't listen. As the big International slowly pulled him out in 1st gear low range, he was spinning his wheels. When he reached solid ground his truck smashed into the back of my friend's truck. My friend's truck wasn't damaged but his was. I told him it was his problem and how much he owed me for gas.

 

This could be a long thread if people added their valuable input. Make it similar to WreckMaster training for tow truck drivers. They key to any recovery is low and slow. Recovering any stuck vehicle is just like welding, you cant rush it at all or it will all go to crap. Sudden jerks can cause serious damage as you are really adding a ton (sometimes more, literally) of stress to the parts your attached too. The off the hitch recovery is good (not off the ball). And always doubble check what you hook on to BEFORE you start pulling. lol. Seen somepeople learn expensive lessons on that one quick. Ive worked in the towing and recovery for a few years, and you see a lot of stuff. Ive also seen a lot of companies do recoveries the wrong way and stick the customer with the repair bill. Completely not fair. 99% of damage caused from recoveries can be avoided!

 

For tight spots I use a tree saver strap its only 8ft long.


I've also been successful with looping a longer strap several times from tow hitch to tow hitch.


The last thing you want to do is put a knot in it. I've seen it done before and its almost impossible to remove the knot after extraction.


RJM

 

Good video. Should be mentioned the following day the same group of gentlemen cured cancer...

 

It had to be posted here, simply brilliant recovery. That winch is awesome...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_oKHARhXw

 

Have a tow truck company on speed dial. People don't know what they're doing.

My friend had his leg crushed a few days ago by recovering a guy on the side of the road. They left their vehicle in neutral after it was freed, and it rolled into the back of his taco, pinning him. people are clueless.

I pretty much gave up recovering people I don't know.

 

In my state, a verbal agreement is the same as a written one. So with a witness or not, it is binding. What I like to so is keep it all paperless and just record it on the phone. Ask them if they mind just to cover both out butts. Jokingly, people normally never have issue with it. Haven't had any issues or legal issues due to recovery's. Then again, havent harmed anything.

 

AAA? I have a strap and two receiver hitch shackles because my cheap friends tend not to have anything. I have a couple D-rings to round out the collection. I also always have a shovel. As for technical advice, I’m a novice myself so I’m not sure I’d be much help except that it really is ok to slack the rope and give a good tug as long as you’ve used good strong attachment points. My taco has successfully yanked more than one stuck one ton plow trucks rather effortlessly.

 

My Tacoma is a little light to be snatching on anybody. I don't want to pull on a dead pig in the mud. But hooking to them for a little assist while they power their rig out is all i care to do and all its i ever had to do. If they are down and out i'll give the bob duce a call. Any excuse to get the duce!