Now that spring and summer are upon us(and in light of unfortunate recent events), I think it's a good time for everyone to evaluate their level of self preparedness with recovery gear, so that future trips can stay safe and fun.
I also attended a Wasatch Cruisers meeting last night where this topic was explored in depth with visual aides via Kurt's equipment, new and old.
This is a very broad topic, I know there's been threads that cover pre-trip checklists, and poll's on recovery gear opinions (One such poll)... **Also found a great Checklist thread HERE, and spare parts thread HERE
If you followed the link above on Kurt's poll of whether or not you've seen a winch rope break, you might've noticed the comment of never using a nylon strap with a winch. I would've agreed before last night's meeting. (not to take away from one's personal opinion/comfort level, especially if it's their rig in question they should make the decisions on how to recovery... Or at least feel comfortable with procedures). Kurt went over both 'Static', and 'Dynamic' strap styles which have two different uses. He displayed some ARB products(with shameless promotion mind you ) that aide in vehicle extraction, which can be used with a winch, and ones not to be used with a winch. Static straps have no elasticity, so this is what you would want for reaching your winch cable out to a strong anchor point if you need it. Dynamic straps on the other hand have something like 30% elasticity, which would be better suited when pulling a stuck rig with another rig. Neat factoid: some manufacturers will put in a way to tell if your strap has been overloaded. At the end of the strap where it loops around to be sewed back on itself, look for a red band. If you see a red band, that's the manufacturers way of telling you to be aware that your strap could go at any moment, that it's been overloaded.
Anyways, there's a lot out there, both equipment and experience. Let's get some discussion going about what you have used in the past, what you carry now, what you have seen that works/doesn't work, safe/unsafe practices etc..
I have a duffel bag that I retired from my parent’s storage room that holds an old strap from my Suzuki days with two metal hooks. I only use this strap for dirty jobs that will more than likely put the strap in a position to get ruined even more. For example, pulling a tractor tire ¼ mile to the dumpster out at Little Moab. I also carry a 60’ nylon tow strap with 2-3 D-rings. Also a D-ring receiver mount to throw into a nearby hitch for a secure mounting point. I have 1-2 bottleneck jacks, and a Highlift Jack w/ jack base when on a trip. I for some reason love flashlights, so I always have plenty of lights(3 D cell LED maglight, 3 AA cell maglight, smaller LED lights, and a 1,000,000 candlepower spot lamp). Gloves, both thick leather and mechanics style are found in the bag. Also important to make sure you have a tire iron(which I carry all the time), I’ve been caught without one in the past. I highly recommend that not happening to you. I also carry some fluids, for me and the rig. A number of tools, but I need more.
I want to also throw out that despite your cell phone saying you have no coverage, you should be able to dial 911 and get an operator. All service providers are required by law to allow any cell user to use 911 for emergencies whether they are covered by that particular provider or not. So try your cell phone if you need to, even if it says no service is available.
Let’s hear your ideas…
-Jason
I also attended a Wasatch Cruisers meeting last night where this topic was explored in depth with visual aides via Kurt's equipment, new and old.
This is a very broad topic, I know there's been threads that cover pre-trip checklists, and poll's on recovery gear opinions (One such poll)... **Also found a great Checklist thread HERE, and spare parts thread HERE
If you followed the link above on Kurt's poll of whether or not you've seen a winch rope break, you might've noticed the comment of never using a nylon strap with a winch. I would've agreed before last night's meeting. (not to take away from one's personal opinion/comfort level, especially if it's their rig in question they should make the decisions on how to recovery... Or at least feel comfortable with procedures). Kurt went over both 'Static', and 'Dynamic' strap styles which have two different uses. He displayed some ARB products(with shameless promotion mind you
) that aide in vehicle extraction, which can be used with a winch, and ones not to be used with a winch. Static straps have no elasticity, so this is what you would want for reaching your winch cable out to a strong anchor point if you need it. Dynamic straps on the other hand have something like 30% elasticity, which would be better suited when pulling a stuck rig with another rig. Neat factoid: some manufacturers will put in a way to tell if your strap has been overloaded. At the end of the strap where it loops around to be sewed back on itself, look for a red band. If you see a red band, that's the manufacturers way of telling you to be aware that your strap could go at any moment, that it's been overloaded.Anyways, there's a lot out there, both equipment and experience. Let's get some discussion going about what you have used in the past, what you carry now, what you have seen that works/doesn't work, safe/unsafe practices etc..
I have a duffel bag that I retired from my parent’s storage room that holds an old strap from my Suzuki days with two metal hooks. I only use this strap for dirty jobs that will more than likely put the strap in a position to get ruined even more. For example, pulling a tractor tire ¼ mile to the dumpster out at Little Moab. I also carry a 60’ nylon tow strap with 2-3 D-rings. Also a D-ring receiver mount to throw into a nearby hitch for a secure mounting point. I have 1-2 bottleneck jacks, and a Highlift Jack w/ jack base when on a trip. I for some reason love flashlights, so I always have plenty of lights(3 D cell LED maglight, 3 AA cell maglight, smaller LED lights, and a 1,000,000 candlepower spot lamp). Gloves, both thick leather and mechanics style are found in the bag. Also important to make sure you have a tire iron(which I carry all the time), I’ve been caught without one in the past. I highly recommend that not happening to you. I also carry some fluids, for me and the rig. A number of tools, but I need more.
I want to also throw out that despite your cell phone saying you have no coverage, you should be able to dial 911 and get an operator. All service providers are required by law to allow any cell user to use 911 for emergencies whether they are covered by that particular provider or not. So try your cell phone if you need to, even if it says no service is available.
Let’s hear your ideas…
-Jason
Last edited:
