In addition to the weight of the tree saver, the circular part cannot support the vehicle’s weight. Ideally, the tree saver should fit over the pin, while the other connection should attach to the circular part of the shackle. If you use it, you’ll either be out there alone (bad idea), or the other car won’t be able to reach you. You should always, always, always inspect your winch cable or rope before hitting the trail, and replace it if there’s any fraying or other signs of wear. The recovery line is put under tremendous pressure and can snap suddenly.
Winch
- As helpful as they are, winches can be extremely dangerous if used improperly.
- Straps like these often snap, causing serious injury (even death) to anyone foolish enough to stand near them out in the open.
- This is why it’s important to be prepared for any situation while out on the trail.
- When it comes to recovery preparedness is key which is why some sort of cutting tool is a necessity.
- Many of us carry spare tires, but there are times when it is just easier to fix the tire that needs fixing.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a tow strap can be used as a recovery rope. This makes running starts with a tow strap not only dangerous but ineffective as well. Snatch straps are the middle ground between tow straps and recovery ropes. They resemble a tow strap but have rubber band like qualities, similar to a recovery rope. This type of strap is generally a little bit cheaper than a recovery rope and can be used as a tow strap if needed. A recovery rope is an absolute must-have especially if you don’t have a winch.
Check Out Matt’s Off-Road Recovery’s Heavy Wrecker Progress
Second, the vehicle must be recovered without damaging its tires and rims. Wrap the winch’s cable around the nearest sturdy object, and you’re done. However, a winch is useless if it cannot be tied to anything.
Winch Extension Strap
To facilitate this process, most recovery boards can be used as shovels. A shovel may be an overlooked piece of recovery equipment, but one everyone should have. With most recovery gear you never know when you’re going to use it. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can start to dig around the stuck vehicle making the recovery 10x easier and effective. Really any shovel will do, but there a lot of companies out there that produce rugged shovels designed for off-road recovery.
Recovery Rope
A winch is your best friend when it comes to mud since it is usually a lot more sticky than snow. However, if you’re by yourself, you may not always have a tree to winch too. If that’s the case, then you might want to look at getting some type of land anchor. Another option would be to invest in winch extension straps to increase the reach of your winch. A snatch strap is also not a bad idea in this situation because the kinetic energy would be more effective than using a tow strap.
Winches:
A recovery point is always attached to the frame of the vehicle and has a Working Load Limit (WLL). The WLL is the maximum load a recovery point can take unit it reaches a breaking point. It’s important to note that tie-down points are not recovery points. Tie-down points should not be used as a recovery point unless there is no other alternative, and even then you may want to hold off and wait for help. This powerful rope is suitable for jobs of all shapes and sizes. With over 30 years of vehicle rescue experience, this product was developed by Matt and Yankum Ropes™ with user’s safety and the rope’s reliability in mind.
- Rusty high-lift jacks are unreliable and shouldn’t be used on a vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds.
- However, if you’re by yourself, you may not always have a tree to winch too.
- I’ve seen people use them when they’re high centered, to level their RTT out, and then obviously when they’re stuck.
- Even though a synthetic line is a lot safer to use than steel, it is still going to hurt if it breaks.
Top 25 Recovery Gear Essentials (Updated for
Wrapping cable, rope, or chain around a tree that is being used as an anchor causes damage to your equipment and the tree. ARB’s tree trunk protectors help eliminate the risk of ring barking and ensure safe vehicle recovery. For this reason, all recovery bags should contain some tire repair kit. Many of us carry spare tires, but there are times when it is just easier to fix the tire that needs fixing. Assume you are trying to climb a slippery rock with the rear Alcoholics Anonymous wheels, but your car does not have a differential lock.
I’ve seen people use them when they’re high centered, to level their RTT out, and then obviously when they’re stuck. This is one of those tools that work in pretty much every condition; sand, snow, or mud, it doesn’t matter these boards will help get you traction. A common misconception is that you don’t need to use a damper if you are using a synthetic line. Even though a synthetic line is a lot safer to use than steel, it is still going to hurt if it breaks. Not only is it a good idea to use a damper anytime you use your winch, but really with any straps or ropes you might be using that will be under stress.
Tree Savers:
As long as the spinning wheels get adequate traction, any number and combination of boards can be used for this recovery. As mikes off road recovery a rule, wheels shouldn’t be spun on recovery boards since the friction will quickly melt off the lugs. Static pulls with kinetic ropes and other dynamic stretch recovery devices are not recommended. These devices stretch and rebound, resulting in a rubber band between the two vehicles. By that time, your car would be better off on racing slicks.