Simple Beach Recovery tool idea

[umingmaq]

Hey guys,

I'm moving to Texas soon and plan on driving alot at Padre Island National Seashore and other beaches to do some serious surf fishing. I've been looking around for sand/beach recovery tools. I'm aware of the PulPal and the Lan Cor (From New Zealand).

http://www.lan-cor.com/vehicle-recovery-in-action

I was thinking about the Lan Cor idea and it's about $300.00. Being from WI; I thought the Lan Cor looks alot like a beefed up steel fence post. I was wondering if anyone has ever pounded in a 1 1/4" X 1 1/4" steel fence post with a sledge, put a shackle down near the base where the post meets the ground and then tried to winch off of it?

They make the posts in 4,6 and 8 foot lengths, so you could hammer it in pretty far...otherwise the angle and technique from the land cor could be followed. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has tried this.

The only difference I can see between a steel fence post and the Lan Cor is the Lan Cor has fins like and auger, so you can spin it into the ground. My application would specifically be used in beach sand. I was thinking a fence post and my more power puller might be a great utilitarian Beach Recovery system.

I welcome feed back, and am open to criticism, scepticism.

Matt

 

[Alaska Mike]

That fence post idea sounds like an excellent projectile, although its suitability as an anchor may be questionable.

I've seen demonstrations of using multiple stakes, sometimes connected by a plank with holes in it, as a ground anchor, but I've found that the plow-based anchors are usually the most effective and easiest to employ.

 

[7wt]

Interesting idea. The only thing I could think of to modify it would be to weld a spade shape of steel towards the upper 3/4 of the post to give a bit of purchase in the sand. I will tell you from plenty of PINS experience, this type of tool is just not needed though. I have been to the Port Mansfield jetty many times and never got stuck. The sand down there is either mostly packed down pretty good from the high tide or really loose but with larger pebbles that support the weight of a vehicle well. Can you get stuck there? Sure but under most circumstances you almost have to try. 2wd and high revs for example. Also stay out of the dunes, it's illegal anyway.

One final note, I am jealous! I miss fishing down there. The island has some great fishing as well as the bay. Redfish on the grill is something everyone must try and I won't even mention sauteed speckle trout. Freaking yummers.

 

[Weasel Mender]

Padre Island

I grew up in Corpus and spent huge amounts of time on the island in the sugar sand there so I can give you some driving hints.
1. NEVER EVER EVEN ONCE SPIN YOUR TIRES, YOU WILL ONLY DIG A GRAVE FOR THE VEHICLE!!!!!
2. The best "get out" tool is available in endless amounts right at hand. Water, wet sand packs solid.
3. On the deep beach we have "shell pockets" what they are is an area of ground shell that allows water to percolate through it. They are easy to spot, they look like a flat area of sand with NO wind ridges on the surface. What you have really is a 2" crust over about 18" of quicksand! If you are not already in low range with good momentum you WILL be staying there for a while:Wow1:. A winch with a deadman (spare tire buryed in the sand) will be your friend. If you need any more info/hints/tips PM me

Weasel

 

[umingmaq]

Thanks for the posts

Thanks guys, seems like I got a little but of everything from "Don't do it it's going to become a projectile." to, "Maybe," to "You don't need it at PINS."

I just wouldn't feel comfortable going driving on a beach without some type of ground anchor, maybe I should just spring for a Lan Cor. Sheppard did a test of them and found them to be, "Must have," I guess I trust his judgement a little bit.

If I do try some low level testing of a fence post, I'll post on how it goes. I think it might work, due to the fact that it is really just using the friction of the post in the ground and the force should be distributed down if you link the strap close enough to the ground with the post angled away from the vehicle. I don't know if I'd try it with a power winch, but with a hand winch it might work. The fins might be a good idea, just for higher friction coefficient.

Matt

 

[rusty_tlc]

The advantage the Lan-cor has is that it is relatively easy to recover, it might be difficult or impossible to remove a fence post driven into soil.

 

[dzzz]

Ground anchors for radio towers screw into the soil and come as long as 60+".

If a driven stake will work a pull pal will work better.

 

[ntsqd]

No familiarity with that island and my observation is that sand is about as consistent as snow, that is to say that it varies widely.

My dad used to carry a small section of carpet and a t-post fence post in the bed of his county flood control truck. Burying the spare with the t-post stuck through center hole at an angle away from the truck was enough of an anchor. The carpet was used to keep the cable from sliding down the post and submerging into the sand. Worked for river sand out here on the Left Coast anyway.....

 

[rynosurf]

I know people that carry old boat anchors while in Baja http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t... sale&cm_ite=netcon&rid=2146251080&hasJS=true http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t... sale&cm_ite=netcon&rid=2146251080&hasJS=true I've never seen them used but would probably be OK for lighter vehicles.
We use these anchors http://www.williamsform.com/Ground_Anchors/Manta_Ray_Soil_Anchors/manta_ray_soil_anchors.html for utility poles at my work. You could probably drive it into sand with a sledge but you would have to dig it out when you are done. I cant find a price but they might be worth looking into.

 

[BIGdaddy]

maxtrax or sand ladders or a ARB airjack.

my .02 cents

 

[07 Elephant]

You'll have a time trying to pull a metal fence post out of the sand once you hammer it in far enough to use as a recovery point. It'll also probably bend. I don't like it. And besides I drive to Big Shell a few times a year for surf fishing and I've never had a need to use my pull pal. You'll be fine. Just air down and enjoy. Stay off the dunes and out of the water with your rig. The only time I've seen anyone get stuck is when they thought it'd be a great idea to drive in the surf. :snorkel:

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

A properly air down 2WD vehicle will go more places then a fully aired up 4WD. I have never found sand I could not drive.

 

[Lynn]

WRT removing fence posts, the old farmer trick is to wrap a chain around the post, loop it over your hilift, and jack it out of the ground. Works great.

 

[flyingwil]

maxtrax

x2

Maxtrax works awesome in the sand!

 

[chasespeed]

Well, I lived a few minutes from the beach in Corpus/AP. Literally... 7 minutes from my driveway, to the surf... and damn I miss it.

I have pulled many trucks out on the beaches...90% of them, non-local.

The sand, and seaweed vary there.... I was on the beach at least once a week......

AIR DOWN. And use your throttle with common sense...

Be mindful..... if you all of a sudden feel like you are bogging down... keep the throttle steady or gently increase. DONT MASH it. as mentioned, under the seashell crust..... its almost like quick sand.....

Be mindful of when you are on the beach as well. The whole seashore, is a nesting area for sea turtles......

The beach is very flat, and the dunes serve as the tidal barrier..... the tidal waters can come way up overnight in some instances....

Enjoy... I miss the beach a lot.. and other than my friends and inlaws, its the only thing I miss about Corpus....