[DesertCanyons]

Edit: I added photos on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, of the 2nd rear recovery point I added to the frame and the recovery gear I eventually purchased. Look at my post on page 8.
See my photos in my thread about How To Make A Bridle. Comments on what I show would be welcomed.
How To Make A Bridle

I'm looking for recovery gear ideas before I plunk down $800 in gear that I've looked at so far. I am planning trips to the SW desert this winter and need to get this lined up.

There really are not a lot of threads on recovery gear using either method of search. I found just 3 and one of them was more about a tool kit than recovery.

A new bumper or hidden winch mounting plate and winch is not in the plan. One problem with a winch is it won't do anything for pulling you out backwards. The front bumper is over $1000 + time/labor and the winch is over $1000 so you're spending over $2000 to have a winch. And your truck starts to look more like a tractor than an urban/off-road cruiser. It's no longer stock so it may affect resale value.

I have looked at come along winches by Wyeth-Scott. Rated at 3 tons double pull or 3000 pounds single pull, they come with 20' of 5/16" cable or 35 feet of 5/16" Blue synthetic line and sell for $260 to $370.
https://www.wyeth-scott.com/index.asp

I've looked at the ARB snatch straps. There are other good brands like M&M too. Not sure if I need a 2"x30' with 17,500 lb (8000 kg) capacity or a 3"x30' strap with 24,000 lb (11,000 kg) capacity. There's the Smittybilt 3"x30' tow strap for half the price, made in China and not sure if it's got any stretch for "kinetic energy".

There's the usual D-Rings. I'm looking at two pair for starters. A pin can be inserted in the tow hitch to form a simple end for a snatch strap.

I've been using a 30' tow strap with steel hooks on both ends but my good friends tell me to throw that away and not use it. I think it would make a decent tree saver or big boulder wrap if it's wrapped several times around the tree or rock anchor and tied together to keep the hooks from flying.

An air compressor is in the plan too. Considering the Viair 400P Automatic or the powerful 440P with an added pressure shut-off switch. viaircorp.com

What do you think? Recovery gear only gets used occasionally so I'm not sure about spending the max' when cheap might be enough. Any suggestions or comments on what you're using.

TIA

[03_4x4Runner]

You are on the right track. It all depends on how hard of trails you intend to travel on. If you are going to try very difficult Jeep and atv trails you will need a lot more gear and protection than general trail driving. If you are doing the hard trails expect body and undercarriage damage. I use mine for general trail driving and all that is needed is a good tow strap and air compressor. It also depends on if you will be by yourself or have multiple vehicles. A snatch strap is useless if you are alone. I small lift and good all terrain tires will be more beneficial in the desert than anything. I have not lifted my 14 yet but I can not go near the places I went with my lifted 03 4runner. It just does not clear the rocks, washout sections with out dragging on the front, rear or bottom. Plan your trips accordingly. For your purposes any good 3" x 30' snatch strap should be good. Do not go any shorter because if you are stuck down at the bottom of a hill a short strap will not reach. There may be times you need to 30' strap together just to reach the tow vehicle. I use a Viar 300 air compressor and it works fine for me. On short trips when I have room for more gear I use my CO2 tank. Also have a good tire plug kit. I recommend some tree pruners to cut away the desert brush to prevent pinstripping. If you are going in wooded areas a saw would be good to cut down branches or trees that block the trail. Basically get out there with these minimum items and see how it goes. Add on more gear as you see fit.

[DesertCanyons]

Thanks @03_4x4Runner ,
My adventures sound similar to yours. I'm not going to follow my friends down the rock crawling paths of Moab. The vehicle costs too much to damage it trying to drive something extreme.

My new Domello rock sliders are getting final coats of paint in my garage. I'll have those on within a week. I may get the C4 gas tank skid. The front skid looks really weak so I may replace that too.

I always carry a full size shovel and gloves. I'll move rocks around if it makes the drive easier.

I need to learn how to use that tire plug kit in the field. For that the compressor is essential. I watched a couple of videos today on expanding the bead to fit the rim using propane or flammable gas. Pretty funny to watch but it worked.

So you're suggesting the 3"x 30 foot strap. It's got a lot more capacity than the truck will ever weigh. I am still considering the 2" strap with 17,500 lb capacity.

Last year, before buying the T4R, I drove a canyon wash in Joshua Tree where I needed those pruning lobbers and a tree saw. I pushed through several smoke trees while trying to keep moving in deep sand. That was in my Jeep GC Orvis Edition and luckily, somehow the lacquer paint didn't suffer any pin striping.

Thanks,
Dave

[Jetboy]

The absolute basics for me are a high lift jack, a decent small shovel, and probably a short piece of chain. They are all really handy to have along for lots of stuff. And pretty inexpensive. There's almost nowhere you can't get out of with enough time and those items.

IMO it's really hard to replace a winch for vehicle recovery if you're going to be doing it very often. But the good news is that you really don't have to spend a fortune to have a winch available if you need it. For example with your budget you could pick up this guy:
5000 lb. ATV/Utility Electric Winch with Automatic Load-Holding Brake and a hitch mount for another $50. So you're into it $250. It's a bit light duty, but for moderate use, it's probably adequate. Add a snatch block for another $25 and double the pulling power if you need it. If you need more length of range to an anchor buy a length of dyneema sk75 for about $1/foot and learn to splice ends. You'd have lots of range and pretty good pulling power for the rare stuck situation. You'd also need some long jumper cables hardwired into the winch. The lighter 5k lbs winch won't draw so much current. And you can just alligator clip it to the battery when you need to use it. The rest of the time it can live in a bag in the back. All together I think $400 would get you there.

In the sand - you can bury the spare tire and pull against it if you have nothing else around. I've done it with success in snow before. It's a bit of work, but it does get the job done.

Good luck!



Then maybe a set of traction pads.

[Jetboy]

Based on your other comment - I would not try to seat a bead using flamable liquids. Lots of things can go wrong. With stock tires on stock rims it should be easy to do just by adding air. To get the air in and out faster make sure you have a valve core removal tool AND!!!! a few extra valve cores in case you lose one.

If it won't seat the bead, take a ratchet strap and go around the center of the tire tread. That will squish the tire out to seal against the wheel. Once it's sealed and starting to fill, take the strap off and fill the rest of the way.

Also - an inner tube is a lot easier in many cases than trying to patch a tire. Make sure you have the tools to remove the valve stem and you can even sew up a torn sidewall and put a tube in and limp your way home.

Make sure you know how to unseat a bead too. A highlift jack under the rock slider pushing down on the sidewall works pretty well. It's not as easy as you might think though.

[MTN4RNR]

Originally Posted by DesertCanyons

Thanks @03_4x4Runner ,
My adventures sound similar to yours. I'm not going to follow my friends down the rock crawling paths of Moab. The vehicle costs too much to damage it trying to drive something extreme.

My new Domello rock sliders are getting final coats of paint in my garage. I'll have those on within a week. I may get the C4 gas tank skid. The front skid looks really weak so I may replace that too.

I always carry a full size shovel and gloves. I'll move rocks around if it makes the drive easier.

I need to learn how to use that tire plug kit in the field. For that the compressor is essential. I watched a couple of videos today on expanding the bead to fit the rim using propane or flammable gas. Pretty funny to watch but it worked.

So you're suggesting the 3"x 30 foot strap. It's got a lot more capacity than the truck will ever weigh. I am still considering the 2" strap with 17,500 lb capacity.

Last year, before buying the T4R, I drove a canyon wash in Joshua Tree where I needed those pruning lobbers and a tree saw. I pushed through several smoke trees while trying to keep moving in deep sand. That was in my Jeep GC Orvis Edition and luckily, somehow the lacquer paint didn't suffer any pin striping.

Thanks,
Dave

I am starting my recovery gear essentials as well. Here are some of my thoughts and items:

- I have the ARB 24K snatch. For the price difference, I think it's worth it to have a stronger piece, because the 4Runner more than likely won't push that strap to the max, but if you are trying to free a larger vehicle in your group or along your travels, having a bit more capacity might be the key to helping someone out, or ruining your strap.
- 2 D-rings seems enough for me. I have one on the front recovery point, and one attached to my d-ring receiver that lives in my action packer when not on the trail.
- A compressor is on the short list. If you're going to air down, you gotta air up! haha. Who knows where the next gas station might be. Or like you said, if you puncture on the trail. On that note, I have an ARB e-z deflator which is amazing when you deflate your tires.
- I am going to add a pair of MaxTrax to my gear when my budget allows. They are a simple way to help yourself out of *most* sensible self recovery situations from what I have seen. If you don't have a winch, this might be the next best thing for solo adventuring.
- A winch will be on there at some point further down the road, but I am hoping that basic common sense would keep me from needing to install that sooner.
- Shovel
- Gloves
- One ratchet strap for compressing your tire if you need to re-seat a bead.
- Communications - I am currently working towards a HAM set up in my rig.

For armor:
I am starting with sliders soon, and will probably add on some basic belly skids at some point. A good spotter and knowing what you can and can't handle will be more cost effective in the interim before adding a lot of weight and losing a lot of money for proper skids.

That's about all I have for now, I will check back to see what other recommendations are! Good luck, man!

[03_4x4Runner]

If u are doing general trail driving and do not air down to below about 20 psi you should not have to worry about the tire coming off the bead. Hopefully you have a good spare. I carry 2 tow straps. One is a 2" just used for times when only a light tug is needed. This stays in the 4runner at all times. My 3" strap and CO2 is only carried when I am actually off roading. I also bring along a good bottle jack in case a tire needs changed but honestly the only tires I ever had to change were on friends vehicle with stock type tires. Get a decent set of all terrain tires. I also always have a lithium jump start battery in the 4runner at all times (keep it charged). Have a piece of 2x6 wood to put under the jack in soft areas. I have a high lift I used on my Jeep Wrangler but it is unusable on my 4runner as there is no place to lift my 14 4runner. I also carry a 1/2 drive breaking bar, extension, socket and a bar I made to let the spare down so I do not have to fool with digging out the factory jack and tools. I carry those along with my tire repair kit in my CO2 tank bag. Main thing I guess is bring plenty of water. It is fine in the desert now but in a couple months it will be hot. Also as it warms up the rattle snakes and scorpion will be out again. Always watch where you step or reach.

[dchild]

I second the hi-lift recommendation; just be sure to get the attachment that lifts from the wheels (maybe if you have sliders this isn't a big deal). Also there is a winching attachment for the hi-lift that could add some piece of mind.

I don't have a winch, but the hitch mount seems like a good idea, esp. with a front hitch.

A couple of 2'-4' lengths of 4x4 are cheap and can be handy.

The MV-50 compressor is a cheap option that has worked well for me.

Edit: I think the trick of using a hitch pin as a recovery point will work better with a 2" strap than a 3"

[313n703]

Great thread! I'm starting to collect my recovery gear little by little. I'm curious to see what others have as well.

So far I have:

• 1 Small Shovel
• A base for my stock jack (will get a hi-lift one day)
• Couple of ratchet straps and various sizes of bungee straps
• 3 3/4" D-rings
• Hitch receiver shackle bracket
• Gloves
• Moving blanket

Up next is a recovery strap and an air compressor. I may go for the ARB @MTN4RNR has for the same reasons.

[carlomagne]

Investing in better tires first will make a world of a difference.

As others have stated, hi lift, d rings, snatch strap (might not need but good to have), recovery strap, air compressor, tire plug kit, and some tools.

[DesertCanyons]

Originally Posted by Jetboy

The absolute basics for me are a high lift jack, a decent small shovel, and probably a short piece of chain. ...

Add a snatch block for another $25 and double the pulling power if you need it....

If you need more length of range to an anchor buy a length of dyneema sk75 for about $1/foot and learn to splice ends. ...

In the sand - you can bury the spare tire and pull against it ..., but it does get the job done.

Good luck!

Then maybe a set of traction pads.

Thanks Jetboy,

Where and how do you use a short piece of chain? I can see it connecting two straps with D-rings, but I don't see how it works alone.

I always carry a full-size shovel. I have a folding shovel but it's really hard to use for bigger jobs. It's easy to tie a shovel on the roof.

That Dyneema sk75 rope is not cheap! Most of what I found came as ready made tow straps that cost as much or more than a Bubba Rope. I did find some AmsteelBlue Synthetic rope in a 50 foot length for $50. This is the same line Wyeth-Scott puts on their 3-ton come-along.
http://www.amazon.com/Amsteel-Blue-S...s=dyneema+sk75

The hitch plate winch mount only gives you a winch at the back bumper. Unless you install a hitch mount in the front too. An installed winch is definitely easier than any come-along but it costs plenty to have it. It adds weight so you have to be prepared to upgrade the suspension at the same time, or first.

The air compressor is next on my list. The idea for getting the tire bead in place with a cinch strap is good. I hadn't heard of that. I need to learn how to fix tires in the field.

I need to pull the spare out once and see how that thing works. I've had a Jeep so long I forget how to get a tire out from under a truck.

I nee those AT tires too. As soon as the stock tires wear out I'll be replacing them with BFG KO2 275/70/17. There's no easy way to sell those OEM tires and the new ATs will cost around $1000.

Yes, I don't see a need for the High Lift jack. There's no good place to use it on the 5th Gen except maybe the tow hitch or the sliders. A bottle jack is easier to use and carry. And I have a good one already. A block of wood is a good idea.

The sand anchors are expensive and heavy. I am kicking myself now for all the boat anchors I've recovered underwater and given away to the boat skipper. Some boat anchors are about the same shape.

I always carry more water than I'll need. People perish in the So Cal desert every year.

Thanks for your great ideas. I'll be working on renditions of these for myself.

[carlomagne]

Originally Posted by DesertCanyons

Yes, I don't see a need for the High Lift jack. There's no good place to use it on the 5th Gen except maybe the tow hitch or the sliders. A bottle jack is easier to use and carry. And I have a good one already. A block of wood is a good idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xldBPnzohtI

hi lift as a winch.

[Intruder]

Get the 2" 17,500lb strap. While you can use the 3" strap, the weight of your vehicle will not be enough to stretch the strap to allow for the "snatch" effect. A pull from that 3" strap will be extremely harsh since it won't stretch. If you want maximum snatch effect for recovery, get a Bubba Rope.

[DesertCanyons]

Originally Posted by MTN4RNR

I am starting my recovery gear essentials as well. Here are some of my thoughts and items:

- I have the ARB 24K snatch. For the price difference, I think it's worth it to have a stronger piece, because the 4Runner more than likely won't push that strap to the max, but if you are trying to free a larger vehicle in your group or along your travels, having a bit more capacity might be the key to helping someone out, or ruining your strap.
- 2 D-rings seems enough for me. I have one on the front recovery point, and one attached to my d-ring receiver that lives in my action packer when not on the trail.
- A compressor is on the short list. If you're going to air down, you gotta air up! haha. Who knows where the next gas station might be. Or like you said, if you puncture on the trail. On that note, I have an ARB e-z deflator which is amazing when you deflate your tires.
- I am going to add a pair of MaxTrax to my gear when my budget allows. They are a simple way to help yourself out of *most* sensible self recovery situations from what I have seen. If you don't have a winch, this might be the next best thing for solo adventuring.
- A winch will be on there at some point further down the road, but I am hoping that basic common sense would keep me from needing to install that sooner.
- Shovel
- Gloves
- One ratchet strap for compressing your tire if you need to re-seat a bead.
- Communications - I am currently working towards a HAM set up in my rig.

For armor:
I am starting with sliders soon, and will probably add on some basic belly skids at some point. A good spotter and knowing what you can and can't handle will be more cost effective in the interim before adding a lot of weight and losing a lot of money for proper skids.

That's about all I have for now, I will check back to see what other recommendations are! Good luck, man!

Thanks @MTN4RNR

I like what you're saying about the ARB 24K strap. There's not a lot of price difference.

I see using more D-rings for multiple straps, tree wraps and ropes and equalizing the pull on any two points. I can see using both front recovery loops on the 4Runner with a shorter strap, rope or short chain, per @Jetboy . You need a D-ring at the center to equalize the load to each loop.

Yes, those MaxTrax. We used to use strips of old carpet in the sand. Cheaper and easier to carry. I saw a video today of a long strap tied off and wrapped around the rear tire. it was anchored out to something in front. Then they slowly turned the tires until it took up a couple of wraps and started to drive out of the sand. Could work in snow or mud too.

I think we're working on similar lists of gear. Thanks,
Dave

[spencenasty]

MaxTrax will work wonders.