Gmt900 Recovery Options

[leverlution]

Just curious what you guys do as far as recovery with the gmt900 pickups. By recovery, im talking about snow, mud, offroad etc getting them un stuck or pulling people out. We obviously have the hooks in the front, but they don't do any good if you need to be yanked out backwards or need to pull someone else. I've always been taught reverse was NEVER to be used to pull someone out. Not strong enough. Anyway, I assumed the hitch was the logical answer but my truck weighs 6000lbs and the hitch is only rated for 5000(as is the hitch pin). Im assuming the safety chain holes ain't any stronger. Is there anyway to quickly/safely hook to the rear of a chevy pickup to get yanked and/or yank someone else? Thanks guys. It just hit me the other day while planning another trip up to the farm.

[pm26]

The hitch should be rated for more than 5,000 lbs. I think mine is rated for at least 7,500 lbs, in line with my truck's tow rating. Even so, keep in mind that there is a hefty safety factor here, so the hitch can probably withstand pull at least 3 times higher than it is rated for without breaking.

 

I would recommend using the tow hitch and buying a hook draw bar (available at harborfreight and some auto parts stores). After all, the hitch is attached to the frame in several places and better distributes the load tha a single attachment point, such as a tow hook. As for "yanking", slow careful pulling is what you want. Always take up the chain or rope slack slowly. This way you minimize possiblity of any damage.

[sc4808]

Tow Capicity and Hitch tow capacity is different than Line Pull, most Class III and Class IV hitches are rated at at least 9000 lbs Line Pull.

 

I even have a front reciever on my 03 Sierra and it is rated for 9000lbs Line Pull.

 

I use my 9000lb winch both in the front or back of my truck.

[leverlution]

Thanks PM26. I know how, just can't find a point to hook to safely. My truck is rated for 10500 I think(towing package), might be 7500. I was trying to find a 10500 hitch and pin, or a 7500lb hitch and pin, and couldn't find either. All I could find was 6. When I looked under the truck to see what it was rated for, the sticker on the hitch reciever said max 5000lb. Not interested in bending a hitch pin and getting it stuck, bending up the hitch, or worse, pulling the frame holes. Hopefully someone will chime in with what they have been doin. So far, it seems the original plan of a reciever D ring is out.

[sc4808]

One more thing, the tow hooks on the front of the 900's seem way stronger than the ones on the 800's, last year I broke a tow hook on the front of my 03.

[leverlution]

Oh really? I figured pull strength would be the same as tow rating? I guess the sideways action while towing lowers the rating? What happens if you gotta tug someone from an angle? If its safe to use the class 3 hitch, no problem. I just don't wanna bust anything up. My jeeps all had hooks in the back, and my 3/4 ton obviously had a class 4 hitch

[RyanbabZ71]

I have one of these I keep in the toolbox

 

Warn Receiver shackle

 

http://www.gowarn.com/PartLists.aspx?plID=4594

[leverlution]

That's exactly what I wanted to use for general utility (pulling reasonable trees/stumps/trucks etc). Just not sure the hitch can handle it. Has anyone actually used it to tug other than sc4? I do feel a lot better though, knowing he does use the oem class 3.

[Chris]

One more thing, the tow hooks on the front of the 900's seem way stronger than the ones on the 800's, last year I broke a tow hook on the front of my 03.

 

mine broke on my 04 lol by a trailblazer. it was the time... well just look at my signature. thats when

[leverlution]

I had one break on an S10 blazer, but to be fair, it had plowed through 4 feet of snow at 50mph for 40 yards (bent the hooks upwards) and the tow truck guy was proving a point to me by trying to pull it out straight/sideways rather than through my tracks. For the record, the other hook held, and this was ~10 years ago? I was 16, dumb, and got cocky in the snow. Those last body style blazers were friggen tanks, and best vehicle in the snow that I have seen. little off topic, so I digress.

[RyanbabZ71]

That's exactly what I wanted to use for general utility (pulling reasonable trees/stumps/trucks etc). Just not sure the hitch can handle it. Has anyone actually used it to tug other than sc4? I do feel a lot better though, knowing he does use the oem class 3.

 

In my 2000 I used it a few times during some bad weather and once when my dad had his truck stuck at our lake. Worked like a charm no issues at all. I have not yet used it on my 2010.

[Anthonyb]

I was always thought that reverse was the way to pull because it is a straight bevel gear therefore stronger than 1st gear. Also in a 4wd, reverse will give you better traction because the front wheels have more weight on them from the engine and the pull strap creates down force on them as well.

[leverlution]

Dunno about chevy automatics, but in manual jeeps pulling in reverse is a big no-no. Reverse gear isn't built strong enough for it. Might be different in a chevy, but I doubt it. Im sure it can take SOME stress, they do have to push trailers in reverse, but forward gears are built for a lot more drama than reverse.

[kdixer]

Alot of good points of view here, But I think there are a few things to consider.

 

1. Reverse is usually a higher gear ratio than 1st so it is not necessarily optimal to pull in reverse.

 

2. The front axle components are not necessarily designed to be the primary propulsion system. By pulling someone in reverse, you are transfering alot of weight and traction to the front drivetrain making it serve as the primary axle. It was not designed for that.

 

3. The force applied to the hitch is much less than the actual vehicle weight. I can push a 6k pound truck by hand, but I cannot lift it. But that soon changes when the wheels are in the mud and snow. But even then the pulling force is less than the vehicle weight. You should always remove as many obstacles from the path of the wheels when you pull anyways.

[sab316]

I've been yanked out by the hitch on the back of my '01 Silverado. I was at a bad angle and the front hooks had been pulled off (Damn hook design. The closed design is MUCH stronger). My front tires were under the mud and my frame was sitting on ground. I also had mud running into the truck. Guy yanked me out with about 25 ft. of chain at a bad angle. Never had anything wrong with the truck after that pull. I think you'll be fine to pull from the hitch.