What's in your recovery/towing box? Tips to avoid getting stuck.

[rubicon4x4]

Hey, so I was out digging ruts, making obstacles and stuff on a woods trail, and my buddy's stock XJ w/ "street-terrain" tires got stuck in the mud at the bottom of a hill. It got me thinking about recovery options and tools. What things are really practical and helpful other than the essential tow strap, shovel and vehicle recovery points? What are some things you DONT RECOMMEND?

I have 2 front tow hooks on a factory bumper and a class 2 hitch w/ D-ring shackle on my daily driver 4cyl TJ. no winch or locker. I drive pretty much exclusively woods trails with very sporadic rocks but nearby ponds/creeks. I was looking for specific recommendations of things that work best for a variety of recovery applications. For example, what brand/length of recovery strap is ideal. Is it worth it to get those recovery packages w/ the snatch blocks and tree straps if you don't have a winch? I don't want to do "budget" recovery gear but I want to get stuff that won't break the bank and will hold up well.

How much better is it to have a winch than just using tow straps/come-alongs/hi-lift? I don't want to weigh the 4cyl down too much because it's my DD. For the price of a winch I could get rocker guards and maybe a belly up skid...

What are the pros/cons of having a relatively lightweight 4cyl vs a heavier 6cyl on a woods type of trail? Any ideas for obstacles such as downed trees to cross, water holes, muddy hills?

How do you deal with a stuck vehicle with no obvious recovery points like a stock XJ? What to look out for in general when trying to pull a stuck vehicle out. I'm searching for a recovery faq or some reading material.

Thanks in advance!

[Thunderstrike]

Winch and a Pull Pal (when you're out wheeling alone) are the ultimate recovery gears.

[DBLJ]

It it doesnt have any points then you would want to look for a way to wrap the strap arond the frame. Otherwise the axle.

[kd4yor]

a winch will be the best money you can spend.

[Rubi22]

I have a hi-lift and bought the whole she-bang (I think it's called the Hi-lift ultimate recovery bag or something). All I ever use is the D-ring it came with to hook up to my buddies hitches whenever they get stuck. I wouldn't not recommend the hi-lift, but i'm not sure i can constitute buying everything else for it.

[The Mean Fish]

I always carry my winch, remote, 2 snatch blocks, 2 25' winch line extensions, 5 D-rings plus the one on my winch line, a small shovel, a hatchet, 2 30' tow straps and a tree strap. I also carry a couple receiver hitch pins in case I need to use one to hook a strap up to a Jeep without tow points and I carry some heavy fabric I use to cover anything I don't want my strap or winch line rubbing against.

[kb9qdi]

Originally Posted by kd4yor

a winch will be the best money you can spend.

Ditto.....Save for a winch.

My Gear:

8K Winch, Snatch Block, Gloves, (4) D-rings, Hi-Lift, (2) 20K Hookless recovery straps (20ft ea) and a 6ft Tree Saver with a short 8ft strap to tie off to a tree if needed when pulling someone out of the deep stuff
I carry (2) 20K ratchet straps for saftey tie downs only.

Out of all above my Hi-Lift is the least used for Recovery and would be last on my list of recovery items to buy.....but still nice to have if needed.

[Dr. Marneaus]

for a hi-lift winching recovery, i think you're gonna need chain, wouldnt a tow strap stretch too much?

i have my hi lift with me all the time on the trail, but i dont use it for winching, i lift my/other trucks up and put stuff under the wheels or what have you, it's saved my butt and a few other butts a couple times. useful, yes, essential, no.

[Thunderstrike]

I would not bother with a hi-lift jack. I have one.

[Rubi22]

Originally Posted by Dr. Marneaus

for a hi-lift winching recovery, i think you're gonna need chain, wouldnt a tow strap stretch too much?

Not sure if you have to have one, but I know their winching kit includes one.

[kb9qdi]

Originally Posted by Dr. Marneaus

for a hi-lift winching recovery, i think you're gonna need chain, wouldnt a tow strap stretch too much?

i have my hi lift with me all the time on the trail, but i dont use it for winching, i lift my/other trucks up and put stuff under the wheels or what have you, it's saved my butt and a few other butts a couple times. useful, yes, essential, no.

A chain would work much better. I also agree, winching with a Hi-Lift unless it's your only/last means to get out is a bad idea. I personally won't use chains or any recovery straps with metal hooks. There just to dangerous.

[Wup This]

I use a strap to pull just about everything out. A winch is much nicer to have. The first thing everyone should carry is a brain and common sense. I don't know how many times my first thought when I see someone stuck is, "what were you thinking?"

[rubicon4x4]

well i have my eyes on a Warn M8000 for $473.36 from 4wheelparts.com with free shipping. I don't even have a hi-lift jack yet so I don't know why everyone is focusing on that??

[kd4yor]

Originally Posted by JeepNinja

well i have my eyes on a Warn M8000 for $473.36 from 4wheelparts.com with free shipping. I don't even have a hi-lift jack yet so I don't know why everyone is focusing on that??

get the winch, a snatch block, tree saver and a 20ft strap, a few D rings and your set. Skip the High lift. If your out wheeling chances are someone else spent that money and you can borrow it if needed.

[1CleanTJ]

I normally dont wheel alone, but if im the only vehicle I got my winch to get me threw most things. I carry a 20 foot recovery strap to help other people out (quicker then the winch)