Ultimate Recovery Gear Thread [Archive]

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Scott Brady

03-23-2006, 01:08 AM

I want to put together an ultimate recovery gear list. So help me create the list and I will update the first post with the details, and then make a printable format for us all to use:

No tools or spares in this list, just recovery gear. Assumes a 6,000lb truck with an 8,000lb Warn winch.

Winch:

In-cab or wireless remote control
greasable pulley block that can be disassembled for cleaning. Large diameter pulley to reduce friction
9'+ Tree Protector
Line dampener
Wired Remote
Winch Extension (50'+)
Hand Winch
ANSI rated goggles or glasses

Recovery:

30' snatch strap
HD Leather Gloves
15' of chain (CAD/Zinc Plated)
(2-3) 3/4" Bow Shackles with pin and cotter
HD Ratchet Strap
Constrictor Strap
Rubber wear pad (for wrapping around the frame, etc. to prevent rope damage)
Shovel (spade) with long and short handle
Pick
Exhaust jack
Pull Pal
Hi-lift w/base
Axe
traction mat or board

cruiseroutfit

03-23-2006, 01:44 AM

Looks like you got it covered... The only things I can think to add:
HD Gear Bag, water resistant.
Hand winch, if your on your own, a winch won't always cut it.
Winch extension strap, I usually carry a 65' extension

Scott Brady

03-23-2006, 01:51 AM

Good catch Kurt. The winch line extension is very important. I have done full pulls with the 80' of cable I have on the M8000, and even needed to run tow straps to get the extra length.

Here is Brian doing a full pull

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2005/Jerome/JeromeandSmileyRock/images/DSCF6464.jpg

I also like your suggestion of a hand winch. For example, if you slide off the trail (like in the snow), you need the vehicle winch to pull you forward and the hand winch to keep the rear from sliding further.

robert

03-23-2006, 01:52 AM

I keep wire rope clamps/clips in my recovery bag to fix my cable in case it breaks too. (I consider this part of my winch accesories).

If you are going to include a shovel/pick in your list, I would also include a bow saw. It is often easier to use than an ax when cutting braches for traction or God forbid you have to roll a vehicle back over and need to cut some bracing/cribbing or a roll over stiff leg for the cable.

Here's a couple good sites:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/
http://4xforum.co.za/tguide/recovery.html
http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Accessories/RecoveryGear.asp
http://www.m715zone.com/manuals/winch/

ETA, a set of tire chains would probably have eliminated the need to winch in the above situation. Can't say as I have any myself, but lots of folks swear by 'em. Not sure if that qualifies as recovery gear or not...

flyingwil

03-23-2006, 01:56 AM

Great idea Scott!

I want to put together an ultimate recovery gear list. So help me create the list and I will update the first post with the details, and then make a printable format for us all to use:

No tools or spares in this list, just recovery gear. Assumes a 6,000lb truck with an 8,000lb Warn winch.

Winch:

In-cab or wireless remote control
greasable pulley block that can be disassembled for cleaning. Large diameter pulley to reduce friction
9'+ Tree Protector
Line dampener
Wired Remote

Add:

Safety Goggles

Recovery:

30' snatch strap
HD Leather Gloves
15' of chain (CAD/Zinc Plated)
(2-3) 3/4" Bow Shackles with pin and cotter
HD Ratchet Strap
Constrictor Strap
Rubber wear pad (for wrapping around the frame, etc. to prevent rope damage)
Shovel (spade) with long and short handle
Pick
Exhaust jack
Pull Pall

Add:

Hi-Jack Lift (possible base)
Axe
Waffle Boards / Sand ladders.

Scott Brady

03-23-2006, 06:38 PM

lists updated with suggestions. When the list is complete, I will also add an imprortane factor to each item.

Westy

03-23-2006, 07:23 PM

Some sort of spill kit incase the recovery consists of a damaged vehicle due to rollover or rocks, etc.

Nullifier

03-24-2006, 01:24 AM

How about a ground anchor like pull pal.

Nullifier

03-24-2006, 01:25 AM

sorry line item 11

Nullifier

03-24-2006, 01:32 AM

I have a recovery strap with the recovery attachments that a wrecker uses to hook into the frame of vehicles not equipped with tow hooks. This is a common problem on the trail with stock rigs now a days. I think Nathan has some that can hook to a clevis on his site. I forgot what the unit is called.

flyingwil

03-24-2006, 03:03 AM

Some sort of spill kit incase the recovery consists of a damaged vehicle due to rollover or rocks, etc.

Good one! It's easily over looked!

We might want to add:

a tire repair kit,
Full size spare,
Air compressor (to reset bead, and re inflate after a puncture)
also x-tape (for hose repairs, ect..)

EDIT: Here's the tape info:
http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/images/84/24002d84.jpg
This is also available at Summit:
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=partdetail.asp?part=SUM-891010

and here is the company's website too:
http://vypar.mocap.com/xtreme-tape.asp[/QUOTE]

+ d

03-24-2006, 04:54 AM

I have a recovery strap with the recovery attachments that a wrecker uses to hook into the frame of vehicles not equipped with tow hooks....

expedition exchange has the "Transit Cluster" that bill burke carries...not sure if its the same thing that nathan has, i wasn't able to find it on his site....

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/recoverygear/trans001%20009.jpg

calamaridog

03-24-2006, 02:41 PM

Some sort of spill kit incase the recovery consists of a damaged vehicle due to rollover or rocks, etc.

Shovel + trash bags + dirt/sand = "poor man's" spill kit:)

I've even cleaned oil off rocks with a bottle of Simple Green and a roll of paper towels. Hey, something is better than nothing.

Also, I like the Jack-Mate accessory for the hi-lift.

BajaXplorer

03-24-2006, 07:00 PM

WalMart has the Xtreme tape, couple bucks per roll.
BX

robert

03-24-2006, 07:09 PM

expedition exchange has the "Transit Cluster" that bill burke carries...not sure if its the same thing that nathan has, i wasn't able to find it on his site....

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/recoverygear/trans001%20009.jpg

I love this line in their ad for it:
If you don't know what the Transit Cluster is, then you have no business using it.
That describes most of the folks you seem to meet on the trail these days- most have no idea how to do a proper recovery (and more importantly, how to do a SAFE recovery! Most also seem to have no idea just how dangerous it really is; they simply hook up that fancy winch they bought and never got any instruction on using.)

I suppose you should make some sort of instruction the very first thing on the list. :smilies27

gjackson

03-24-2006, 07:32 PM

My vote!

cheers

Westy

03-24-2006, 08:59 PM

uh oh...better put a Sikorsky on the list

gjackson

03-25-2006, 07:02 AM

Snatch block. No guarentees when you get stuck your truck will still feel like 6k lbs.

cheers

Scott Brady

03-25-2006, 02:27 PM

Great picture Graham! Oh, and a pulley block is on the list :)

Doin_It

03-25-2006, 09:31 PM

Up here we call that Xtreme tape, or duct tape, "100 mile an hour tape", cause when you go sleding, and brake someting and tape it up it will still hold at 100 mph.

Mlachica

03-28-2006, 08:34 PM

There's no such thing as a stupid question right? What's a constrictor strap? Is it this (http://www.superstrap.com/mistore/productdisplay.php?company_id=109357&sku=838401&hdwt=31101&loc=101&dealer=no)?

What about adding proper lifting points for the hi-lift such as the lift mate (http://www.hi-lift.com/products/liftmate.htm) and bumper lift (http://www.hi-lift.com/products/bumperlift.htm)? (there's plenty more to choose from if this doesn't suit your needs)

Scott Brady

03-28-2006, 09:07 PM

Mark,

Great Question

The constrictor strap I use is this one:

Extreme Outback Constrictor Strap (http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/general_equipment/constrictor.html)
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/general_equipment/constrictor/images/DSCF7489_JPG.jpg

For jacking, Chris and I are testing this cool slider adapter from WABFAB (http://www.wabfab.org/)

http://www.wabfab.org/products/sa/newsa4_small.jpg

A very stout piece

Mlachica

03-28-2006, 09:24 PM

So it's basically a more versatile snatch strap

I remember seeing a slider adapter about a year ago, it seems this design would make it safer.

91xlt

03-31-2006, 02:44 PM

this is a pretty complete list, in addition i like the winch attachments from hi lift, not sure of the accessory name but it has the chains and hooks, this has been very useful a few times for me and i also have a mil spec recov strap for something like 30,000# thats 20' long also can be very useful.

madizell

04-23-2006, 09:36 AM

Oh, and a pulley block is on the list :)

Just to be sure everyone is on the same page, a greasable pulley block is not necessarily a recovery snatch block. Don't use blocks intended for lifting as a snatch block for vehicle recovery, and remember that using a snatch block has the potential for doubling the rated pull of the winch, so the block needs to be able to handle at the minimum twice the rated pull of your winch. Spend the money and get one made for the purpose. Hard to find a better one that the one offered by ARB. I carry two, just in case.

Also keep in mind that adding blocks to a recovery generally requires more shackles than normal, and usually requires a tree saver. I don't recommend chain for attaching a snatch block to an anchor point. Carrying 2 or 3 shackles (as shown on the list) might not be enough for complex situations or multiple vehicle recoveries, and if you are like me, they get lost on the trail regularly, so having spares is a good idea.

One item not mentioned by anyone is a winch line damper. Seems that no one really uses these except in competition. I use one all the time. Canvas, Velco, and about 4 pounds of lead rope (flexible fishing weight material), sewn together in a mini poncho or saddle bag configuration. I wrap this around the winch line and secure it with two cable ties in a loose bundle so it slides readily on the line, but can't fall off. Position the weight about midpoint on the line once attached and ready to recover. Stop and move it back to center on really long recoveries. Remember to take tension off the line while repositioning the weight if this is possible, or at the very least, stop winching while moving the weight. Don't handle a live cable (under tension), and don't handle winch line at any time without gloves, even if using synthetic rope. Safe winching is like safe sex -- it might sound silly and boring, but it will save you a bunch of grief sooner or later.

Maybe our trails here in Alaska are different from other areas, but I have 160 feet of synthetic line on my 8274, and I generally carry an 80 foot extension, a 140 foot extension, and a spare 160 foot line with the thimble already spliced in and ready to go, in addition to a minimum of two 40 foot snatch straps, two tree savers, and one or two 10 foot cargo straps which do not stretch. For challenge racing, we carried something like 420 feet of extra synthetic rope in various configurations, all with thimbles spliced to the ends, and 4 snatch straps. It isn't often that I have had to use an extension, but there have been times when the nearest anchor point was way over 300 feet away.

ShearPin

04-23-2006, 02:08 PM

I've had good luck with Kinetic recovery straps, although proper chasis mounted tow points are a must have and I take extra care to ensure no debris is stuck up under chasis and steering parts.

While I usually travel alone when I do go with someone it is most often my brother. My 2.25 powered Land Rover would struggle to recover either his H1 or Unimog 416 without one. The one I have is branded Masterpull - it was a gift from my brother three years ago. In mud especially - sometimes all it needs is that extra jolt.

To be honest, I've never used it on the Mog. When it gets stuck....

Henry

waskillywabbit

09-14-2006, 04:06 AM

I vote for the WabFab Off-Road slider adapter for Hi-Lift Jacks as a GREAT addition to recovery gear!

:elkgrin:

Linus Tremaine

09-01-2007, 06:08 AM

How about a knot reference sheet? Or at least try to learn some important knots.

Try this:
http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

learn the truckers hitch to help tie things down

bowline, alpine butterfly??

Scott Brady

09-01-2007, 01:58 PM

Try this:
http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

That is the best knot site yet. Thanks for posting that!

mountainpete

09-01-2007, 03:03 PM

Hi guys,

From my experience, I feel that one big component is missing. Coveralls and boots. Here's why:

As most people on the site know, I love flyfishing and a lot of my overland involves getting to backcountry lakes or other spots. Oftentimes I go wearing my fishing clothing, shorts, etc. And do you really want to get that new LL Bean Bug-Off shirt covered in mud? No!

So I always keep a pair of steel toed rubber boots and a set of coveralls in the back for those muddy recoveries. If I see a spot that looks like it might require recovery before I go into it (like a mud hole), I will slip on the boots and coveralls first. However, most of the time I end up using it to help recover other vehicles who tried to go a bit further then they should have.

The extra bonus is, once the recovery is done, the mud stays outside of the cab.

Pete

p1michaud

09-04-2007, 08:21 PM