Basic Recovery Kit Questions

[G-Four]

Based on all the recommendations I have seen on this site, I have decided to put together a recovery kit. I don’t get to areas where I can off road much and when I do it’s not extreme, mostly fire or logging roads, but its typically just me and my wife. While I don’t plan on getting stuck any time soon, I know it would be a huge problem if I was not prepared.

I have done a lot of searching and feel pretty confident about what I want to assemble. Basically a Hi-Lift jack, chains, some straps, shackles, a shovel, ect.

There are a couple questions I cannot find answers to:

1. I know chains with the jack are better since they won’t stretch. If I need to include a strap I assume I want one that won’t stretch much. What kind of strap would be best? Tow strap, recovery or something else?

2. For winching with a Hi-Lift, everything I see uses the Off Road Kit which seems to be very over priced for what you get. It looks like it would be easy enough to attach a chain to the bar or end of the jack. How do you attach the chain to jacking mechanism without the ORK? I was thinking a large shackle could work or make a loop in the end of the chain with the hook? What works or is the kit the only way?

Thanks for your input

Tom

 

[G-Four]

Or do I even need to be concerned about a recovery kit?

 

[KidVermicious]

Based on all the recommendations I have seen on this site, I have decided to put together a recovery kit. I don’t get to areas where I can off road much and when I do it’s not extreme, mostly fire or logging roads, but its typically just me and my wife. While I don’t plan on getting stuck any time soon, I know it would be a huge problem if I was not prepared.

I have done a lot of searching and feel pretty confident about what I want to assemble. Basically a Hi-Lift jack, chains, some straps, shackles, a shovel, ect.

There are a couple questions I cannot find answers to:

1. I know chains with the jack are better since they won’t stretch. If I need to include a strap I assume I want one that won’t stretch much. What kind of strap would be best? Tow strap, recovery or something else?

A tow strap with a hefty load limit will work fine. Learn to tie a chain sinnet so you can adjust it's length. What you don't want is a snatch strap.

2. For winching with a Hi-Lift, everything I see uses the Off Road Kit which seems to be very over priced for what you get. It looks like it would be easy enough to attach a chain to the bar or end of the jack. How do you attach the chain to jacking mechanism without the ORK? I was thinking a large shackle could work or make a loop in the end of the chain with the hook? What works or is the kit the only way?

Thanks for your input

Tom

The nice thing about the ORK it it's all packaged and set up for you. If you're willing to troll the aisles of your hardware store you can put one together for about half the price. Check out this article for some tips on what gear you'll need: Jack of all Trades | Expedition Portal

And to answer your third question, you absolutely should carry recovery gear. Even logging roads and fire trails can get sketchy when wet, and who knows when you might feel froggy and start heading into tougher terrain? A good set of recovery gear and an Oh Shit bag with emergency supplies can save your bacon. I never hit dirt without mine.

 

[CAN-03runner]

The hi lift jack is rated for 6000# I believe. Does the shear pin break at much beyond that? Investigate that.

Stuck vehicles might exert more than 6000# of "stuck" resistance. Something to research if you are in a ditch with a 5000+# truck with some cargo, tires digging into mud or sand trying to climb up out of the ditch. All that add resistance weight to you initial 5000#.

Trying to raise only one side of my 4th Gen from the middle of the rock sliders is really hard work. I bet trying to pull the full weight up a ditch is a good workout too.

Look into a hand winch. I have a wyhett scott hoist. You can put a pulley on that. It's not easy, and it's slow, but I've used it and It works. Eventually.

Maxtraxx or similar product might be an option too. Both products that don't need a winch bumper and winch.

 

[nevada]

Based on all the recommendations I have seen on this site, I have decided to put together a recovery kit. I don’t get to areas where I can off road much and when I do it’s not extreme, mostly fire or logging roads, but its typically just me and my wife. While I don’t plan on getting stuck any time soon, I know it would be a huge problem if I was not prepared.

I have done a lot of searching and feel pretty confident about what I want to assemble. Basically a Hi-Lift jack, chains, some straps, shackles, a shovel, ect.

There are a couple questions I cannot find answers to:

1. I know chains with the jack are better since they won’t stretch. If I need to include a strap I assume I want one that won’t stretch much. What kind of strap would be best? Tow strap, recovery or something else?

2. For winching with a Hi-Lift, everything I see uses the Off Road Kit which seems to be very over priced for what you get. It looks like it would be easy enough to attach a chain to the bar or end of the jack. How do you attach the chain to jacking mechanism without the ORK? I was thinking a large shackle could work or make a loop in the end of the chain with the hook? What works or is the kit the only way?

Thanks for your input

Tom

a winch, and a bag of winch accessories.

barring that, a Hilift will work. I have used one to winch a truck up a step hill. its a LOT of work. you have to reset the chain every couple feet.
and yes, we just made a loop in the chain and wrapped it over the lifting post.

honestly, I would save up for a bumper, and winch. IMO, that should be the very first mod to any rig that would go off pavement.