Recovery Suggestions

BenhaUG · January 26, 2007

I recently purchased a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext Cab Long Bed w/ Z71. I was wondering what products anybody would recommend keeping in the truck to pull out Hondas, Hyundais, or other small Japanese matchbox cars when they manage to get stuck in the mud? I had my heart set on all nylon recovery straps and a hitch shackle. Please help new to this!!!

Ben

Burban2002 · January 26, 2007

A lot of people will tell you to get an off road recovery snatch strap, because when they are used they act almost like a spring. They stretch and actually yank the person out. They are safer too because if they snap, it is a lighter material that wont cause as much damage. Typically they do not have metal hooks either. I however, keep a chain with a set of hooks in the back of my cj when I go off roading. I have had good luck so far. The hitch shackle is a very good idea too.

dewfpo · January 26, 2007

Gloves, rag, crappy blanket to lay down on, a good 40 ft. tow strap (gives you lots of options at that length), stong chain with hooks or a dogbone to secure the ends. Gradually apply pull, NEVER jerk. Better to attach to the chassis itself. The tow hitch is really not designed to jerk someone out. If they're really stuck and it's tough going, throw a heavy jacket over the middle of the tow strap, just in case it let's go.

DEWFPO

desrtrat · January 26, 2007

A lot of people will tell you to get an off road recovery snatch strap, because when they are used they act almost like a spring. They stretch and actually yank the person out. They are safer too because if they snap, it is a lighter material that wont cause as much damage. Typically they do not have metal hooks either. I however, keep a chain with a set of hooks in the back of my cj when I go off roading. I have had good luck so far. The hitch shackle is a very good idea too.

here is a couple of things you could use.

http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.c...&linkid=414

http://www.awdirect.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=9253

the CC-43 is the one best to use, will be more universal,the J hook, and the T hook fit into the frame holes l

also 10' of 5/16 chain

hard to explain use of them but i think you'll get it.

good luck........

HyperBuzzin · January 26, 2007

Doesn't hurt to have a small shovel too (for the person that's stuck to use, not the person doing the recovering!!).

I also keep a throw-away plastic painters tarp (instead of a blanket) a 4k lb hand winch, several road flares, a bow saw, 15ft x 2in wide ratchet strap, small bottle jack, small piece of 2x4 (for under the jack if in mud) as well as the already mentioned tow strap, chain, rags & gloves.

And, if you do need to pull someone out and don't have anything to put over the strap (incase it breaks) use a decent sized tree limb or something similar. Anything is better than nothing and could save ya from serious injury !

97whitez71 · January 26, 2007

Winch.

pm26 · January 26, 2007

I have a hook draw bar which I use with the tow hitch. I got it from Nothern Tool. Also, I carry at least one 15 ft tow strap, and also a lenght of tow chain with a large hook. A large hook is what tow truck use to winch disabled front wheel drive cars onto a flatbed. The hook goes into a hole in the front lower swingarm. Be very careful where you attach a hook on a front wheel drive car chassis! Never attach anythign to the bumper of you will rip it right off!

Wingnut · January 26, 2007

I keep an ill-tempered pitt bull with hemorrhoids in the back. Whenever I see somebody that's stuck, I just chain him up to their car and spray his a$$ with Tobasco.

carneyman · January 26, 2007

Remember if you do have to pull someone out, let them attach the chain/tow rope/whatever to their car so you are not liable for any damages that might occur. People will sue for the crappiest things sometimes.

GatorFan · January 26, 2007

Remember if you do have to pull someone out, let them attach the chain/tow rope/whatever to their car so you are not liable for any damages that might occur. People will sue for the crappiest things sometimes.

Great point Carneyman,

I had a similar incident here in Texas not too long ago. Moron did not pay attention to the "DO NOT ENTER, HIGH WATER SIGN" and decided he was in too big a hurry to heed the warning. When I pulled up he didn't want to get wet (he was in about waist-deep water sitting in his car). When I told him he would have to get out of his car and hook it up, he said, "Just do it for me, I won't get mad if my car gets damaged, just get me out of here). Yeah whatever I thought . I told him he either got out and hooked up the tow strap or I would give the police a call and let them know that someone else was stranded out in the middle of the flooded road . Out here they are now fining people who disregard warning signs AND making them pay for the service of towing them out as well as a fee for the cops assistance.

To make a long story short, he finally got out and hooked the strap up .

Basically, ALWAYS make them hook up the strap. Like you said, everyone is SUE-HAPPY now.

C & A s Dad · January 26, 2007

I suggest you simply let them wait until another one of their buddies driving one of those "oh so high quality, fine engineered, supperior crafted, rice burning" vehicles comes along and let them pull them out.

Of course I really do not mean this if they are in trouble but you do understand what I am saying.

pm26 · January 27, 2007

You should know better than letting some clueless dufus connect a chain hook to his car. It is likely that substantial damage will result. At least advise him where to connect it.

firefighteremt3100 · January 28, 2007

I recently purchased a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext Cab Long Bed w/ Z71. I was wondering what products anybody would recommend keeping in the truck to pull out Hondas, Hyundais, or other small Japanese matchbox cars when they manage to get stuck in the mud? I had my heart set on all nylon recovery straps and a hitch shackle. Please help new to this!!!

Ben

Not being a smartass here...but why would you want to put yourself in a position to be sued for damage to their vehicles? The reason I say this is a lot of these people driving these "weed eaters" I like to call them because of their mufflers have a lot of plastic crap on them, and I've seen a lot of people with trucks trying to be good samaritans but only succeeding in pulling off bumpers, breaking A-arms or axles, and doing other damage to the vehicles they are trying to pull out. I'd say leave the pulling out to wreckers. Thats what they are for. Just my opinion though. In todays sue happy world...I'd do everything to stay outta the way of someone contacting their lawyer.

firefighteremt3100 · January 28, 2007

I have a hook draw bar which I use with the tow hitch. I got it from Nothern Tool. Also, I carry at least one 15 ft tow strap, and also a lenght of tow chain with a large hook. A large hook is what tow truck use to winch disabled front wheel drive cars onto a flatbed. The hook goes into a hole in the front lower swingarm. Be very careful where you attach a hook on a front wheel drive car chassis! Never attach anythign to the bumper of you will rip it right off!

I posted above my comment on the original posters question...but I wanted to reply to this one here as well. You do not want a "large hook" since most of the chains with hooks, come with the hooks with the very pointed ends. You can tear rubber boots depending on where you hook with these. They make hooks with blunt ends so you do not need to worry about puncturing something. You still need to use caution as to where you are hooking. If you dont look underneath, it is very easy to "hook" the tie rod instead of the A-arm, and when you pull...it'll only take so much until it snaps. I work for a towing company..just thought I'd pass along some info....not trying to be a smartass. Hope this does someone some good.