Recovery Bag options (other than an ARB bag)...

[off-roader]

Hi All,

Not too long ago this thread was discussed (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/100437-Best-Recovery-Kit-Bag?highlight=bag) and I noted I had an ARB bag that worked well although my first iteration of that back wore out underneath the Snatch Block. ARB customer service was excellent as usually but now the bag's wearing out again.

What bag options are decent these days? I see that Viking and other recovery gear makers are offering bags but realizing this isn't their primary product offering, I'm not sure how well they'd last.

Any other recommended options with plenty of 'right sized' pockets that are robust enough to handle permanently 'living' underneath my 4x4's sleeping platform?

My intention is to use it to carry 2-3 straps (2" & 3"), 1-2 snatch blocks, several D-ring shackles, & other miscellaneous recovery gear so having a number of pockets and compartments is a must.

TIA!

 

[Antichrist]

I have a Craftsman satchel type bag that's held up well for about 10 years or so. Canvas type sides with a rubber bottom that goes up the sides about 2-3".
I'm not sure they still make it, but it looks like they have one similar, with some outside pockets and reinforcing straps, about $35.

 

[Disco2Guy]

I use a bright yellow Pelican case (1400 I think) for my recovery gear. It houses an orange Expeditionware recovery strap, 2 D shackles, a chain hook, 10' tree saver, extra gloves, and newer design ARB snatch block, with a little more room for extras. There's no need to worry about abrasion wearing it out, or if your gear is icy/wet/muddy, soaking through inside the truck. It firmly closes with the 2 latches and it's high visibility helps if you need to tell someone to grab it from inside your truck. If it's not tucked away it's easy enough to get a ratchet strap over it without deforming the case, or slipping loose.

However, if you do get your equipment wet, you'll need to remember that, and dry it out when you get home. I did this during a snow run, and it wasn't until a trip to the dunes a few months later I realized my mistake. Not checking my equipment when I got home, or before leaving on another trip. The leather work gloves had mold all over them and were tossed into the campfire. The straps were cleaned in a bucket with soapy warm water, rinsed and left to dry in the sun. Some small surface rust spots formed on the snatch block, so those were taken care of and touched up with Rustoleum spray paint.

 

[xplrn42]

I'll second the Pelican, I put all my gear in a 1620 that stay's in my truck. I also have an old canvas bag my parents brought me back from CA. when I was a kid, my straps stay in it, and a couple of Sears bags for pulleys/tools to keep them isolated from banging around.

Good call on drying out the wet stuff!!

 

[4x4mike]

The above suggestions are good ones. I've used many different things. Some end up being too small or too big, develop holes or just get replaced by something else for whatever reason.

Craftsman and tool style bags are nice and heavy duty. If you can find one that is in the size you need it may be a good option. Pelican boxes are good too but a little expensive and may be more than what you need (waterproof, etc).

I don't keep all of my gear in one place. For one if were all in one place it would be too heavy which requires large heavy bags. Also, if I just need a strap I don't want to have to pull out everything. If you loose or damage a smaller bag you won't be without all your gear and chances of it all being organized might be higher. For example. I keep a strap, two shackles and two hitch pins in my factory storage compartment. That way at a minimum I've got enough gear to get me out of most of my binds even if I'm going to the store for milk. When on a trip I pack more straps, more shackles, snatch block, extra length of cable, more gloves, shovel, etc. All of this is heavy so it's in heavy bags or heavy backpacks (around 2000+ ci). This allows other gear to be packed around it as well as me being able to secure or put other gear on top of the less used heavy gear.

Find some heavy duty school style backpacks with good warranties. I've got two North Face bags I use. Each can hold two 30 foot long 3" straps in the main pockets and it's got a separate front area for smaller things even heavy snatch blocks. They have great warranties (I've had both send both back in the past 15 years-free fix) and a back pack is nice in case you need to get to a tree to winch off or to another vehicle. Beats lugging all that stuff while wading in water, slipping in snow, hiking up hill.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[nwoods]

That Viking bag looks pretty awesome though, and unlike the Pelican case, can be used as a drag chute over the strap

 

[fishEH]

I utilize a couple Husky brand bags from Home Depot. They work great, esp for the price.
If you want a more durable bottom maybe look at the Bass Pro boat bags.

 

[off-roader]

I'll check out each of those suggestions thanks! That Viking bag was one I was considering as well but it's a bit spendy at $115 and frankly it's simply not worth that much as far a my needs are concerned.

I will add that while pelican boxes would be a good secure and reliable alternative the fact that they are hard plastic and won't conform to where I need to store them is a limitation I'm not willing to adapt to.

 

[cowboy63645]

I have a Craftsman satchel type bag that's held up well for about 10 years or so. Canvas type sides with a rubber bottom that goes up the sides about 2-3".
I'm not sure they still make it, but it looks like they have one similar, with some outside pockets and reinforcing straps, about $35.

I picked up a bag very similar to this about 4 years ago for $10 at a local farm supply store. Has held up great and still going strong!
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express

 

[off-roader]

Yeah I may go that route. I also have a couple of Surplus store canvas bags that have held my tools securely in the back of my rig for ~5+ years now and have spent more time in my rig without coming apart like two ARB bags have. I'm going to check if they have the right sized heavy duty canvas bag as well.

 

[1leglance]

Local thrift stores are a great source for canvas bags, duffles and all kinds of stuff that work great for tools, gear and such in our rigs. I have even found small hardsided brief cases that would work.

 

[Master-Pull]

If you haven't already, be sure to give our line of gear bags a look. They're all made from water resistant vinyl and come with a sturdy plastic insert that sits in the bottom of the bag to help protect against the problem you've described. I have a small bag that is filled with my shackles, swingblocks, Super Yankers, and a winchline extension, and a large one that I fill with random camping gear.

http://masterpull.com/accessories/


-Lyle

 

[verdesardog]

Bags? My recovery stuff wouldn't fit into a bag that I could pick up easily. My recovery gear resides in the bottom of the truck box inside the covered bed of my truck.

 

[lqdchkn]

I got this kit

http://www.metaltech4x4.com/p-630-ironman-4x4-winch-recovery-kit-large.aspx

Took everything our of the bag it came with and moved it into one of these with the foam removed

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1550

 

[86tuning]

I'm using a Masterpull bag that came with my yanker rope. Good stuff, both the rope and the bag.