Newbie offroader...Read this.

[stagger_lee]

Originally Posted by 3Hummer

Aight' i was reading another artical about offroad etiquette, and they said the oppisite, which i bieleve sounds more reasonable, i mean its easier to back down a hill that you havent gotten all the way down yet, then to back up a hill that you already got over the peak.

I have never heard it the opposite, but I might have to agree that it does sound a bit more reasonable at first. The only reasoning I can give you is that it is safer to back up a hill under power than to reverse down a hill applying your brakes. Just like snow or ice you lose steering capabilities if you start to slide.

[BigBill]

I am in the process of compiling what I need for my upcoming trip, and being that I am relatively new to this, what tools are suggested for the Hummer? I have some basic extraction gear (lift, tow straps, shackles), but what specific tools like sockets, wrenches, etc. are there to the H3? I remember with my old F250 that 10mm seemed to appear everywhere.

Bill

[stagger_lee]

Depends on how crazy you are going to get. Basic recovery gear is definately a necessity. You can use a high lift jack as a come-along, but wont do much good as a jack unless you have good solid jack point ie: winch bumper, rock sliders. You can also get that tire strap attachment to use with the high lift, but I have seen them used and its kind of sketchy. This thing looks cool for helping you get unstuck:
http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/arb_xjack_111205.html

Here is a good check list from that same xterra guy. He is very thorough.
http://xterra101.com/trailgear.htm

Unless you are a mechanic, a little more than the basic tools would be sufficient. Think about what could break, if you are carrying spare parts, and what tools are needed to make the fix. Ratchet tie straps are great for all kinds rigged fixes. I have a breaker bar for lugnuts (i dont like the stock tools) We have done the 2x4 as a splint on a cracked frame with a ratchet strap around it to get us off the trail. Then again we probably wont be cracking frames on the H3, afterall its not an FJ.

[BigBill]

Thanks!

So the jack can't be used on the bumper or on the rocker panel rails? I was told that the jack could be used as a come-along if need be.

[stagger_lee]

Originally Posted by BigBill

Thanks!

So the jack can't be used on the bumper or on the rocker panel rails? I was told that the jack could be used as a come-along if need be.

You figure you are lifting the weight of the vehicle on just your rocker panel? Not a good idea. Not really a solid point on stock bumpers either. I would look for metal to metal contact on a point to is directly bolted to the frame for a good jack point only, just to be safe. I have jacked the rear of the vehicle up from the hitch mount before. That worked fine, but kind of sketchy.

[SR1355]

I use the tow hooks as lift points for hi-lift jack. Works pretty good but make sure you get the 60" hi-lift. I have the 48" and it runs out of room pretty fast...

[stagger_lee]

Do you use the highlift straps with the hooks or just jack to hook? Good idea. Did it feel pretty safe?

[BigBill]

Originally Posted by stagger_lee

You figure you are lifting the weight of the vehicle on just your rocker panel? Not a good idea. Not really a solid point on stock bumpers either. I would look for metal to metal contact on a point to is directly bolted to the frame for a good jack point only, just to be safe. I have jacked the rear of the vehicle up from the hitch mount before. That worked fine, but kind of sketchy.

Excellent point! I guess I wouldn't want to lift it up by the rails, but either the bumper or even the hitch receiver would work.

[stagger_lee]

No not the bumper, unless you have aftermarket steel winch bumpers or something gnarly. You might damage the stock bumpers. As SR1355 stated tow hooks are a better option. Like I said metal to metal jack points attached to frame only. Be careful. High jacks can be dangerous. Keep in mind when you are jacking something up from the front or rear it moves up on an arc thus pulling the top of the jack away from you ever so slightly, but sometimes enough to tip the jack. Be sure to always chalk tires and set brakes. Seriously, in 10 years of offroading I have used my high lift maybe 6 times, and that was in the desert when I was stuck by myself and couldnt get a tug out. Had to jack up the car and wedge stuff under the tires. Some people use it more then others, I try not too. Although the day you forget to pack it, you'll need it.