Getting stuck is a simple fact of life in offroading. How you handle being
stuck defines your character as an offroader. Frustration, disgust, anger,
predisposition to commit suicide OR do you deal with it as simply as changing
your shoes? Attitude and Preparation are the keys to successful vehicle
recovery. Knowing that you will get stuck is the key to attitude. Knowing what
to do and having the proper tools is the key to Preparation.
Here you'll find a number of tips and suggestions from many different sources (including my own experiences) on what recovery tools to carry and how to use them.
| Links to: References on Recovery Recovery Kit Winches | ||||||
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Three basic recovery aids that you should have: |
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| Hi-Lift®
jack - Two heights of
Hi-Lift® jacks 48" & 60" Jack pad of at least 12x12 inch square - best if made by laminating 2 - 3/4 plywood pieces together. |
Tow Strap & D-Ring Shackle
- 2 to 3 inches in width and 20 to
30 feet long with reinforced loops at each end D-Ring Shackles
(also known as a clevis shackle or a screw-pin anchor shackle)
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Tow Hooks and/or Tow Points
- minimum of one in
front and one in rear Mounting |
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| Another recovery tool that should be carried is a shovel. I usually carry an army surplus folding shovel in all of vehicles. And when on extended trips, I carry a full size or a D-handle spade shovel, depending on how much room I have. | ||||||
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Accessories & Aids for Hi-Lift® Jack |
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Hi-Lift® builds a plastic base plate that reportedly seems to work well. Lift adapter for stock bumpers |
Jack-Mate® adapter for end of jack - turns Hi-Lift® into all purpose tool rebuild kit for Hi-Lift® - this is good item to keep in your Recovery Kit
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| NOTE: An inexpensive 2 1/2 - 4 ton cable hoist or 'come-along' can be used in place of a winch in most cases. It has a few drawbacks but if you rarely ever need a winch's capabilities, it might be just the thing for you. Come-Alongs are just slower & more difficult to use and have shorter cables. Also you must also be more careful, since you must stand next to the come-along while using it. | ||||||
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Recovery Techniques |
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| KEEP spectators far away from any recovery site. Flying Hi-Lifts, bars, shovels and winch cables MAIM & KILL! | ||||||
| NEVER connect a winch hook directly to another vehicle - always use a tow strap or tree-saver strap - straps will stretch and absorb sudden loading - this saves your winch's gearbox . | ||||||
| NEVER wrap your towhook back on to its cable - this is fastest way to ruin a winch cable. | ||||||
