Recovery Gear

[Texas Red]

I will probably be looking at getting some recovery gear soon. But as a novice, I have a question. On our DFW outing several rigs were pulled out of a mudhole with a chain.

Mike said (in another post) that using chains was "scary" and straps are preferred. First, why are chains "scary"? and second, what length, width, and strength strap should I go for?

[Texas Red]

I will probably be looking at getting some recovery gear soon. But as a novice, I have a question. On our DFW outing several rigs were pulled out of a mudhole with a chain.

Mike said (in another post) that using chains was "scary" and straps are preferred. First, why are chains "scary"? and second, what length, width, and strength strap should I go for?

[ktower_heels]

I would think that chains would be scary if they failed and parts of them started flying at the vehichle and or nearby people.

[Big Z]

Texas Red-- check out Winching & recovery, it's a good start, I posted a couple of good links there. As far as straps--3"X 30'X 30K. Chains Do have there place, (As PhilD explains) and if there rated strong enough to do the job.

http://www.elcova.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=2826088551&f=5106011751&m=5136029981&r=3486072502#3486072502

[Mike97ZJ]

A chain fails, those links are like shrapnel. Plus, a chain is harder on the vehicle, as it has no give to it. A strap will stretch a bit to absorb some of the shock as the slack is taken up.

I carry a 30'x3" strap that is rated at 30K lbs.

Always buy a RECOVERY strap, not a tow strap. A tow strap is much lighter duty and has metal hooks at the end.

You want a recovery strap with loops at each end. Some catalogs refer to them as "snatch straps".

And yes, a chain is handy, such as rigging a high lift for winching duty, but I wouldn't use one in place of a strap.

check out www.recoverygear.com (http://www.recoverygear.com)

[Texas Red]

OK, so I need a 3" wide x 30' long recovery strap with reinforced loops at the ends (rated for 30,000 lbs.). I guess I will also need some type of screw-pin anchor shackles to go with it.

Is there any real need for two straps?

I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a good 10' chain with grab hooks too.

[JJ]

During the Recovery Process...

I thought I read that the actual technique was to leave approx. 6 ft of slack in the strap and have the recovery vehicle apply modest acceleration - sort of adding a jolt to the vehicle to be recovered, some of which would be taken up by the strap itself.

Is this correct, i.e. you want a little slack in the tow strap? And can someone fill me in on what modest accleration mean or isn't it that critical?

JJ

[Big Z]

You can get a reciever mounted shackle. Two straps? 60Ft, wouldn't hurt! I've since replaced the 2" straps, but here are a couple of pics of My Truck Box.

[Big Z]

another

[Big Z]

Last one

[Mike97ZJ]

Big Z, you ought to find some way to tie all that stuff down. You don't want that stuff flying around the cabin if you ever roll over.


PhilD, GREAT writeup!

[Big Z]

Really! Something like this work?

[Mike97ZJ]

OH. Well there you go.

1997 Grand Cherokee TSi
It's got some lift, skids, and rock rails, among other things.

*member of the "No Hummer Krew"*

[brianfriend]

When thinking about recovery you need to also consider your recovery points AND the posibility that the vehicle recovering you will not have any of the necissary equipment. My goal when wheeling is to never have to call a tow company to get me out. When on the trail you are likely to find all kinds of different experience levels and a kinds of different rigs. I ALWAYS wheel with someone else and I prefer to wheel with people with more experience than me.
Here's a list of some of the stuff I carry.

4 strap. go with big heavy strap.
tree strap
winch
high lift
3 d rings
winch
snatch block
tools
first aid kit.

This is not everything I cary but off the top of my head it is probably the most improtant.

brian friend

If it can break it can be fixed.

[HummerTeam]

For those interested in how to use a Hi-Lift Jack, there is a great article by Bill Burke at:

http://www.hummerteam.com/high_lift_jack_use.asp

http://www.HummerTeam.com
Travis - North Texas

[brianfriend]

Two very important things to remember when using a high lift. One....they tend to slip and will fly out at you if they do. Be carefull and watch your rig. The higher you lift the more possibility that the vehicle will move to the left or right or forward or backwards and the lift could squeeze out. I once was lifting the side of my tcuk. I had to open the rear door to get the lif under my slider and of course it slipped and drove itself through the inside of my door.

two..never, never, nver leave the jack handle down while under load. If a shear pin breaks or something slips that handle will fly back up. High lifts have killed lots of people. The nickname is Widow Maker. I avoid useing the lift if I cna help it.

brian

If it can break it can be fixed.

[JohnD]

The kits sold at www.recoverygear.com (http://www.recoverygear.com) really are composed of top notch components, with a truck as large as the H2 be sure and opt for the 3 inch upgrade with regards to the straps though.

[Sandra]

Brain are you interested in joining the H2 group in Denver? We are planning an event March 2nd or 3rd.

[brianfriend]

Sandra,

I would love to join and run a trail with you guys. I am making progess on my truck...it is currently broke but i expect to be up and running in the next couple of weeks. I work every sat. so it would have to be on a sunday for me. Do you have a trail set yet?

If it can break it can be fixed.

[Sandra]

We are looking at March 16th

[brianfriend]

Sandra,

That is a Sunday I think yes? My truck should be good to go by then for the most part. I may still be minus a cv joint but I should still be ok depending on the trail. I will post in the trails section.

If it can break it can be fixed.

[Sandra]

Great, we have Adam and Alec that always get together and we are trying to grow the Colorado H2 Club. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[brianfriend]

cool...I posted in the local events thread. I am assuming that is where trips are organized?

If it can break it can be fixed.

[SuperPoser]

chains are good if you make sure they are not rusting and have cracks and junk like that...

chains are not safe if you will be jerking...

straps work well too (I mostly use straps)

I get super high strength tractor straps (usually from tractor supply co.)

of course I have a taco and a runner, so my rigs are a lot lighter than your h2's...
so you may need something bigger?
(I usually get the 20,000lb straps)

inspect the straps before you go wheeling...
if there is fraying or any kind of wear... burn it now so you don't use it later!

also, keep them out of the sun...
the sun will rot the straps!

http://www.eng.ysu.edu/~melliott/hobbies.htm