Recovery how-not-to

[1leglance]

As someone who doesn't own a transit cluster and more than likely I won't (since I could do more harm than good) I would:
1) Make sure the people are ok
2) If they don't have a comm setup I would take some info and offer to help them get in touch with a professional for recovery

This would be one of those time I would have to say "sorry I can't help phyically with the recovery". I really think there are times when a person not having the correct rig/setup should have consequences like a steep tow bill.

 

[logos]

As someone who doesn't own a transit cluster and more than likely I won't (since I could do more harm than good) I would:
1) Make sure the people are ok
2) If they don't have a comm setup I would take some info and offer to help them get in touch with a professional for recovery

This would be one of those time I would have to say "sorry I can't help phyically with the recovery". I really think there are times when a person not having the correct rig/setup should have consequences like a steep tow bill.

Great answer. Everything in the rigging needs to have a WLL that is greater than the forces being exerted or I won't recover the vehicle.

 

[Donsfast]

I still think we need to work through the transit cluster issue.

1. A Transit Cluster does not replace proper connection points. All vehicles should have frame mounted recovery points.

2. There are scenarios when a well equipped/prepared traveler comes across a disabled or stuck vehicle that needs to be moved. I have found that frequently these vehicles do not have proper connection points. One example was a mini van that slid off the road south of Prescott and I needed to pull them out.

3. Without proper connection points, you still need to move this vehicle, so what is the correct connection method?

Again, I come back to how do you make a safe connection? I am not saying the transit cluster is the best method, but I have not seen a better one. Wrapping a strap around suspension components or axles is not an appropriate connection point. Neither is wrapping a strap around most bumpers, primarily because your nice strap will probably be damaged due to cutting.

So many new vehicles do not have frames or anything but plastic bumpers. I just do not see an appropriate connection point for a mini-van or Chevy Traverse other than a transit cluster.

It would be critical to dampen the recovery line should the transit cluster fail. My transit cluster is made from 5/16" chain, grade 70. 4,700 lb WLL, 18,800 lb. MBS.

A transit cluster is only used if there are no other (safer) connection methods available. I have found on most new vehicles without recovery points, the transit cluster is most often the only safe method.

I look forward to additional comments on this.

This just does not work work 90% of the time and ends up putting a slice in the unibody. Wish I had taken pictures at some point of what it does after an attempt. With a framed vehicle (thicker metal like pictured) some light recoveries are possible, of course someone experienced can attempt using them in certain situations but as you have written yourself the WLL is about half of even light duty recovery equipment. After doing it for a living for many years its not the correct way of recoverying a vehicle and not safe. I cant count the times I had to bail out a less experienced Operator trying the same thing only to bend the crap out of the mini-hook trying to get a mini-van out of a ditch or completely ripping the holes out of the frame.

 

[matt s]

Great thread and good information all around.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is quite a bit of assumed knowledge going on. Not that you assume to know too much, but rather that those reading know what your talking about. Please consider taking a moment to define or describe the things you refer too. I worked 12 years in heavy construction, and did quite a bit of rigging (cranes), yet the terms we used do not match what is used here, even though the principals are the same.

For instance talk about recovery points. Everyone seems to assume that we all know what counts as a good frame mounted recovery point. I don't.

Kinetic recovery- I think I know what you mean, but hey I could interpret that many ways.

Line Dampener- I think you are talking about the blanket technique, but perhaps this is something else.

Those are just a couple of them off the top of my head, but you get the idea.


So there you have it. I am willing to be the FNG and take the heat. I am sure that I am not alone in trying to decipher the various terms.

 

[Scott Brady]

No arguments from me. That's the sort of scenario I was talking about. I would only add that I would never use one in a kinetic recovery.

Agreed. Just pull winch cable and limit the dynamic load.

 

[Scott Brady]

Great answer. Everything in the rigging needs to have a WLL that is greater than the forces being exerted or I won't recover the vehicle.

Agreed. There are just times you are four hours into a remote trail and some family is stuck in a rental Grand Cherokee with minivan tires and no recovery points. They are blocking the trail and in serious trouble. I can only speak for myself, but I am going to try to find a way to help them.

 

[MuddyOval]

Of course, how many times to you HAVE to do the recovery? That minivan that slid off in the snow- do you HAVE to recover it and be the hero or is it better to just give the driver a ride to safety? It's nice to be macho recovery guy, but often times it's better to be the smart guy and take the decision NOT to attempt recovery- even if it disappoints the owner of the distressed vehicle.

Yes, sometimes you have to step up and do it if there's real distress- but sometimes the distress is only superficial and the prudent thing to do is let the professionals with specific training, equipment and insurance recover the vehicle.

 

[lowenbrau]

Once again, reality sometimes mocks the hard and fast rules.

My first reaction to the transit cluster suggestion was "not a chance when using a strap" but if you are in a situation without other options *and* you carefully use a winch *and* you stow the bystanders. *and* both drivers scooch down or raise their hoods you'll probably be just fine. This is a good thread actually, and I might just toss one of those frame adapters into the toolbox.

 

[Donsfast]

I think this is like anything else in life and is based largely on experience. If you are rigging a vehicle and are stuck with having you use one point for attachment and have no other choice you are probably not experienced enough or lack the correct tooling for the job, maybe both. Of course we have gotten off course with the usual off road recovery at this point and are talking an everyday vehicle. We could go further and say a Mercedes is stuck with no frame holes or other means of attachment rendering everything mentioned useless. They use eye bolts are various points for transport that are removed leaving nothing as an attachment point. I think its good to help when you can but there is something to be said for the professional. I think its great people on the board would be willing to help a stranded vehicle in any way possible though and many seem to go beyond even carrying equipment just for helping them.

 

[Scott Brady]

Of course, how many times to you HAVE to do the recovery?

It just depends, but I like to be as prepared as possible. You would be surprised the crazy tourists we find in odd situations in the desert. There was this one German guy with his family 40 miles into Tuweep

They all make for great stories.

 

[Donsfast]

It just depends, but I like to be as prepared as possible. You would be surprised the crazy tourists we find in odd situations in the desert. There was this one German guy with his family 40 miles into Tuweep

They all make for great stories.

You are right about that...people do odd things.

 

[craig333]

Do they ever. We went up to play in the snow on the mormon emigrant trail. Its paved and clear in summer. Halfway up and stuck in the snow is full size tour bus on the way to Kirkwood ski resort. I can only assume he'd take the shortcut in the summer and didn't know it isn't plowed (normally, occasionally if 50 is closed they'll plow it, that could have happened to him too). We didn't even try and pull him out.

Same road higher up a different year. Setup camp on a thursday and go up to see where the snow is at. Find a car full of teenage girls stuck in snow. Lucky for them they'd been on the way to a slumber party and all had sleeping bags. They were pretty happy to see us.

 

[craig333]

Reminds of a verse from Phil Ochs, outside of a small circle of friends.

Riding down the highway, yes, my back is getting stiff
Thirteen cars are piled up, they're hanging on a cliff.
Maybe we should pull them back with our towing chain
But we gotta move and we might get sued and it looks like it's gonna rain
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends.

 

[Michael Slade]

Step Seven:
Set the knot with some pressure, which will prevent the magazine from sliding out.

Ready to rock!

I would bet...and here I go putting words into Scott's mouth (which will get me in trouble perhaps...)...but I would bet that if you *actually* used an OJ during a recovery such as the one illustrated, you could probably send in the magazine you used back to Scott for a nice fresh new one.

If he wouldn't send one to you, I would.

 

[Rexsname]

My cheap inner self almost asked if it would be better to use a $6.99 shakle or a $10.00 OJ!:Wow1:


REX