my recovery gear, tools. plus few 'experienced' high lift jack users opinions please.

Booster cables Pico Brand cold weather

I agree with you about carrying them everywhere just lately with 2 strollers the local in town trips it's hard to find room.
After years of using cheap sets that sometimes get the job done and sometimes not
I decided to copy my dad a ex-mechanic/retired paramedic
by purchasing a lifetime high quality set
He still has the same pair of welding cable type booster cables going as far back as I can remember they always get the job done
I started looking around and was dissapointed to not locate what I was looking for
criteria
had to be red and black not grey black not orange and brown or whatever.
had to be 20ft long enough to reach from behind if I or someone else is nose in with no front or side access very common problem.
had to be welding cable quality
had to have ends capable of jumping side posts
these are not that common custom made was what everyone kept saying.
Well they we wrong here is what found, local to boot not cheap but wow the quality is incredible.
I have no affiliation to the company but love to promote a great product when I come across it.
Here is ballpark pricing off the top of my head.....
4 AWG $180 (great starter level in this class of cables high grade cable used well upsized AWG and cable quality from inexpensive or standard type cables)
2 AWG $230 (carefully considered these ones great AWG size for all around for the money.
1 AWG $290 (the ones I bought, as I run a lot of heavy equipment and thought the next size up was worth the money)
1/0 AWG $320(probably only neccesary for people who boost for a living)
most more run of the mill expensive type of jumper cables around $100 give or take a few bucks sold in the usual auto parts stores max out AWG size at 4-6 AWG but most of those even use aluminized copper far less superior to these. that is what sets high dollar jumper cables apart THE COPPER GRADE/SIZE/CONTENT
here is a web link but they do not sell direct to public normally or online except via a few local distributers. I did buy mine direct from the factory but I think they made an exception as I really wanted to comparison shop the various sizes they offered and the local distributer at the time only carried 2AWG in stock and would not bring in the other 3 sets for my perusal only.
http://www.picocanada.com/en/index.php?p=products&id1=Booster+Cables+%26+Clamps&id2=Cold+Weather
 
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seanpistol

Explorer
Let's leave Joseph Smith out of this... crazy Mormons...

Sounds to me like you have a solid set of recovery gear. Make sure to bring your brain.
 
Yes hopefully a decent setup for recovery without being overdone. I think give or take a few items I'm pretty much well prepared for long term to cover most minor situations safely. Some of our camp gear has been replaced recently with upgraded quality but severly downsized to save on size and weight wherever possible, like sleeping bags, fishing gear, and cooking stuff. They make really high quality very compact stuff these days (if you know where to look, albeit some has a big price tag) for those that need to trim down without giving things up. I try to only bring necessary gear for off road/camp adventures. Don't want to overload the donkey so to speak. The people who feel the need to bring all the comforts of home may as well just stay home!
 
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brushogger

Explorer
If you are going to be doing ANY solo trips in the boonies go ahead and spring for a winch. 6 months ago I bought a Superwinch Talon 9.5 for $550 and free shipping. It's actually been used more for clearing downed trees on the trail than stuck situations. It's waterproof,strong, and crazy fast. I did the whole Hi Lift recovery thing for years, and it does work. But it doesn't even come close to the speed and efficiency of a winch. There are also those times such as getting stuck in a water crossing when being able to quickly run out a cable instead of spending a bunch of time rigging up chains and jack means the difference in success or defeat. The same for rescuing someone in a tippy off camber situation on a narrow trail. The Hi Lift is a great tool, but is a lot of work. Most of the accidents with them happen when people get tired and don't pay as close attention as they should. I speak from personal experience about this. A runaway High Lift handle is a scary thing that will definitely b$&#@ slap you.
 

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