Recovery Help....

J_Mayle · 08-27-2007, 04:35 PM

Ok, there's a lot of options out there but most of them scare the crap outta me thinking about using them. So I thought I might give you guys my scenario and maybe you can help me out and point me to some products.

First off, I'm not yet able to affor a front bumper with recovery options so right now my scenario is a rear hidden hitch with a D-Ring attached to that....

Basically, what should I buy to pull my stock XJ outta the mud if I get stuck? I've seen chains, kinetic rope, straps, but which is what I want and which is safest? I won't be in mud deeper than a foot or so, so I won't need the doomsday setup LOL. Basically something I could wrap around a tree behind and pull me out.

Thanks for all your help!

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-27-2007, 06:20 PM

I can offer nothing manual that I'd use, including come-alongs, Hi-Lift, etc. to extract me. Both offer too much work and not enough "get-me-out". It's best to carry a hookless snatch strap and NEVER wheel alone. Have the other guy pull you out.

Dollarbill · 08-29-2007, 03:30 PM

I have only been wheeling for a year. I have used recovery straps all except one time. And that includes the time I got stuck in mud up to my rock panels. If you look around online, you can get a decent recovery strap for about $40.

Anything that is metal, like chains and straps that have hooks instead of eyelets, stores kinetic energy and will fly back if something breaks. That is when someone gets hurt.

dawnskaybug · 08-29-2007, 03:55 PM

I use hookless straps (hooks suck)and my winch and ive been thick in mud past my doors..
Going by yourself is risky I got a call at 1030pm to do a rescue for a friend who wanted to impress hsi buds with his ranger .. It rained HARD maybe 2 inches in 30 minutes and they were all stuck couldnt go any farther and no way to get back from where they came from..
Easiest thing is to get yanked back where ya came from Ive been up against a wall of dirt and didnt realize it
You cant really tell but my drivers side bumper is totally bent and my tow hook is bent up the bolt went through the frame from a 3/4 ton Ram Diesel trying to get me out when I was against a wall and didnt realize it we were using 6 inch thick straps to try to get me out..

This one the whole ground was cracked so I figured it was dry..

I knew this hole was here but I slid into it Its over 49inches deep now (watched 49s go under going through it)
Also have hitch connected to D ring

Same hole point is make sure you knwo how deep it is or you could go swimming

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-29-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollarbill

I have only been wheeling for a year. I have used recovery straps all except one time. And that includes the time I got stuck in mud up to my rock panels. If you look around online, you can get a decent recovery strap for about $40.

Anything that is metal, like chains and straps that have hooks instead of eyelets, stores kinetic energy and will fly back if something breaks. That is when someone gets hurt.

Chains rated properly for recovery do not store energy, they will drop to the ground if a link breaks. It's the snatch and recovery straps that do store energy that will fly back with whatever is at the opposite end, like a shackle, potentially being a lethal projectile. A wire winch rope stores kinetic energy and it will fly back if it or the object it is attached to breaks, which is why many of us have converted to synthetic winch ropes which like a chain, will drop to the ground if it breaks.

dawnskaybug · 08-29-2007, 04:29 PM

My hoods up when I winch and im clear outta the way

J_Mayle · 08-29-2007, 05:20 PM

Thanks everyone! Chain may be the cheapest way to go (and safest) do you have any links where they sellem with hooks? Thanks!

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-29-2007, 05:40 PM

Whatever you do when you buy chains, make darned sure they are 'Rated' at the loads you will be placing on them. Common run-of-the-mill chains like are sold at Home Depot and hardware stores are not normally Rated. Like the difference between a Grade 5 or Grade 8 bolt and a common non-rated bolt, there's a huge difference in strength. You never want to use an unrated chain for recovery purposes.

Most sources of recovery equipment sell rated chains with hooks on the end. I can post the URL of one later tonight if needed. Warn (and most other mainstream winch manufacturers) sells them but you may have to buy an entire kit which has the chain, shackles, straps, snatch-block etc. in a carrying bag.

Mr.Crowley · 08-30-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnskaybug

My hoods up when I winch and im clear outta the way

very good habit to get into..

Dollarbill · 08-30-2007, 07:41 AM

Thanks for the clarification Jerry. I had some miss-information.

CMARJEEP · 09-01-2007, 07:35 PM

i got a 20,000lb tow strap off ebay for like $25 and i have used it many a time and it has never failed me. about the whole chains thing, my buddy got his rear window shattered when he was trying to tow someone out with chains, so they are not 100% safe.