Ultimate Recovery Gear Thread

[Scott Brady]

I want to put together an ultimate recovery gear list. So help me create the list and I will update the first post with the details, and then make a printable format for us all to use:

No tools or spares in this list, just recovery gear. Assumes a 6,000lb truck with an 8,000lb Warn winch.

Winch:

1. In-cab or wireless remote control
2. greasable pulley block that can be disassembled for cleaning. Large diameter pulley to reduce friction
3. 9'+ Tree Protector
4. Line dampener
5. Wired Remote
6. Winch Extension (50'+)
7. Hand Winch
8. ANSI rated goggles or glasses

Recovery:

1. 30' snatch strap
2. HD Leather Gloves
3. 15' of chain (CAD/Zinc Plated)
4. (2-3) 3/4" Bow Shackles with pin and cotter
5. HD Ratchet Strap
6. Constrictor Strap
7. Rubber wear pad (for wrapping around the frame, etc. to prevent rope damage)
8. Shovel (spade) with long and short handle
9. Pick
10. Exhaust jack
11. Pull Pal
12. Hi-lift w/base
13. Axe
14. traction mat or board

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Looks like you got it covered... The only things I can think to add:
HD Gear Bag, water resistant.
Hand winch, if your on your own, a winch won't always cut it.
Winch extension strap, I usually carry a 65' extension

 

[Scott Brady]

Good catch Kurt. The winch line extension is very important. I have done full pulls with the 80' of cable I have on the M8000, and even needed to run tow straps to get the extra length.

Here is Brian doing a full pull

I also like your suggestion of a hand winch. For example, if you slide off the trail (like in the snow), you need the vehicle winch to pull you forward and the hand winch to keep the rear from sliding further.

 

[robert]

I keep wire rope clamps/clips in my recovery bag to fix my cable in case it breaks too. (I consider this part of my winch accesories).

If you are going to include a shovel/pick in your list, I would also include a bow saw. It is often easier to use than an ax when cutting braches for traction or God forbid you have to roll a vehicle back over and need to cut some bracing/cribbing or a roll over stiff leg for the cable.

Here's a couple good sites:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/
http://4xforum.co.za/tguide/recovery.html
http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Accessories/RecoveryGear.asp
http://www.m715zone.com/manuals/winch/

ETA, a set of tire chains would probably have eliminated the need to winch in the above situation. Can't say as I have any myself, but lots of folks swear by 'em. Not sure if that qualifies as recovery gear or not...

 

[flyingwil]

Great idea Scott!

I want to put together an ultimate recovery gear list. So help me create the list and I will update the first post with the details, and then make a printable format for us all to use:

No tools or spares in this list, just recovery gear. Assumes a 6,000lb truck with an 8,000lb Warn winch.

Winch:

1. In-cab or wireless remote control
2. greasable pulley block that can be disassembled for cleaning. Large diameter pulley to reduce friction
3. 9'+ Tree Protector
4. Line dampener
5. Wired Remote

Add:

1. Safety Goggles

Recovery:

1. 30' snatch strap
2. HD Leather Gloves
3. 15' of chain (CAD/Zinc Plated)
4. (2-3) 3/4" Bow Shackles with pin and cotter
5. HD Ratchet Strap
6. Constrictor Strap
7. Rubber wear pad (for wrapping around the frame, etc. to prevent rope damage)
8. Shovel (spade) with long and short handle
9. Pick
10. Exhaust jack
11. Pull Pall

Add:

1. Hi-Jack Lift (possible base)
2. Axe
3. Waffle Boards / Sand ladders.

 

[Scott Brady]

lists updated with suggestions. When the list is complete, I will also add an imprortane factor to each item.

 

[Westy]

Some sort of spill kit incase the recovery consists of a damaged vehicle due to rollover or rocks, etc.

 

[Nullifier]

How about a ground anchor like pull pal.

 

[Nullifier]

sorry line item 11

 

[Nullifier]

I have a recovery strap with the recovery attachments that a wrecker uses to hook into the frame of vehicles not equipped with tow hooks. This is a common problem on the trail with stock rigs now a days. I think Nathan has some that can hook to a clevis on his site. I forgot what the unit is called.

 

[flyingwil]

Some sort of spill kit incase the recovery consists of a damaged vehicle due to rollover or rocks, etc.

Good one! It's easily over looked!

We might want to add:

a tire repair kit,
Full size spare,
Air compressor (to reset bead, and re inflate after a puncture)
also x-tape (for hose repairs, ect..)

EDIT: Here's the tape info:

This is also available at Summit:
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=partdetail.asp?part=SUM-891010

and here is the company's website too:
http://vypar.mocap.com/xtreme-tape.asp[/QUOTE]

 

[+ d]

I have a recovery strap with the recovery attachments that a wrecker uses to hook into the frame of vehicles not equipped with tow hooks....

expedition exchange has the "Transit Cluster" that bill burke carries...not sure if its the same thing that nathan has, i wasn't able to find it on his site....

 

[calamaridog]

Some sort of spill kit incase the recovery consists of a damaged vehicle due to rollover or rocks, etc.

Shovel + trash bags + dirt/sand = "poor man's" spill kit

I've even cleaned oil off rocks with a bottle of Simple Green and a roll of paper towels. Hey, something is better than nothing.


Also, I like the Jack-Mate accessory for the hi-lift.

 

[BajaXplorer]

WalMart has the Xtreme tape, couple bucks per roll.
BX

 

[robert]

expedition exchange has the "Transit Cluster" that bill burke carries...not sure if its the same thing that nathan has, i wasn't able to find it on his site....

I love this line in their ad for it:
If you don't know what the Transit Cluster is, then you have no business using it.
That describes most of the folks you seem to meet on the trail these days- most have no idea how to do a proper recovery (and more importantly, how to do a SAFE recovery! Most also seem to have no idea just how dangerous it really is; they simply hook up that fancy winch they bought and never got any instruction on using.)

I suppose you should make some sort of instruction the very first thing on the list. :smilies27