Recovery Kit??

[gregsb]

I second the strap and loop option, it's cheaper and safer. Keep in mind that tow straps stretch so if they snap they have some stored energy to release so don't stand near it when pulling. Of course the stretching works to your advantage when pulling someone out as all the energy increases your pulling power (thing fat rubber band) unlike a winch cable.

Another thing to consider is either a come-a-long or hi-lift farm jack. Just make sure the come-a-long is rated for the weight you have to pull ( I keep a 5 ton rated one in my vehicles during the winter for emergencies along with a 3" X 30' tow strap rated to 27,000 lbs)

 

[sparg93]

I was checking out the high lift jack, but it was only rated for 7,000lbs. Is that 7,000lb rating just for jacking a truck up? Does it have a higher rating when using it as a come along? The reason I ask is b/c various components of the high lift jack had a variety of strength measurements but I wasn't sure how to decipher all of them...

http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info.php/products_id/26357 - as an example it states it has a 5,000lb winch capability.


When you guys say strap and loop option...how are connecting the "loop" between both vehicles?

 

[gregsb]

I have used the hi lift jack for lifting as well as pulling and never had an issue even on the one time I used it on my extended cab sierra to get it unstuck from a snowbank. Lifting is where it really stands out as you can jack the vehicle high to get traction under the tires or even just creep the vehicle sideways by pushing the top of the jack sideways - just be careful of where you are standing so if it kicks out you don't get hit. Mind you this technique was used on my older CJ5 jeeps, which actually had solid bumpers, that I tended to buried in mud a lot in my younger days. I think you would have to rig a sling of some sort incorporating the hooks to avoid the bumpers on these newer trucks or lift using the receiver in the back. Just remember to place the lifting stress on frame members or anything that ties to the frame such as a receiver hitch or recovery hooks.

To use a strap with loops I have done the loop over the trailer ball in the past as well as using the recovery hooks or wrapping it around the axle (being careful of brake lines) and then running one end of the strap through the loop and using that free end to hook to either a ball or recovery hook (I hope that makes sense).

 

[sparg93]

got it - makes sense!

I didn't know if b/c the rope was synthetic that wrapping it around something or crossing the strap back through the loop could damage it.

I would never wrap it around anything sharp, but its good to know that it can be used by crossing the strap through its own loop.

I found some DVD's online that go through various recovery techniques...I may just buy one so I don't figure this out the hard way.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

they make a high lift jack (the xtreme IIRC) that is set up for winching and jacking. have one in my garage that has yet to be put to use. X2 on NOT using the stock bumpers as lift points

picking up a 4000# come a long from harbor freight next week for $12.99 (insider coupon) for anyone thats thinking of getting one.

as far as an attachment point for straps they sell a 2" receiver insert with a D-Ring thats much safer than using a trailer ball. (could also just run a large D-Ring through the Ball hole).

 

[sparg93]

agreed on not using the ball...i read about simply sticking the receiver pin through the loop (with the pin through the receiver)...

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

or get you one of these this is what i use and it hasnt failed me yet its claimed two radiatiors and saved my bumper , and hasnt bent like one of my tow hooks i had to replace

 

[gregsb]

I will have to look into one of those D rings or hitch hooks, I like the idea of using that kind of setup. I don't off-road anymore but spend a lot of time in snowy areas when winter hits.