"On-Road" Recovery Question

[Krayziekid]

Howdy folks. So I have a quick question for everyone. So I have a pretty good grasp on off-road recovery, although I have never had to recover or be recovered myself (I have watched a few recoveries in person, but that's it.)

So I was driving down the highway the other day and I saw a dude getting pulled out by a tow truck when he had accidentally went off the road and in to a small ditch. I got to thinking and I realized that I didn't really know anything about "on-road recovery" and if it was different in any way. I figured since I keep a decent amount of gear in my car at all times, I would like to know how to be a good Samaritan if that day ever came. It might also be good to know for the winter months when I spend my time up north.

So if I were to come across a sedan or minivan or something without any recovery points, what would be the process of extraction? I am assuming I would use a tow strap as opposed to a snatch strap, drop it in to 4Lo and do a very slow, deliberate pull until the car is out. But where would be tow strap/shackles attach to? I have shackles on my 4runner, but if they don't have any, how would I do it?

This obviously isn't an urgent question, but I am curious as to how you would help someone in this situation. Just sorta curious to better prepare myself for the future. Thanks!

 

[4Rager]

My old Audi had a metal hook in the spare tire/jack kit. You popped off a 1" square cover on the front bumper and screwed it in. For the rear, I think there were some points on the frame underneath that would work. I'm sure many sedans/cars have something similar.

 

[CXS]

On road I stop and offer help but I make the owner attach my strap/winch to the car/truck that needs help. That way they are responsible if anything gets damaged.

I do watch and suggest a winch point if they haven't a clue.

 

[ebg18t]

I no longer help people on the side of the road. I pulled a guy out of a snow bank a few years back. He ended up calling the state police after I got him on the road and I had left. He provided them pictures he took from his rear view mirror while I pulled him out saying I forced him off the road. You couldnt see the rope in the pictures and needless to say the state police visited my home later that night.

Due to the charges the state police filed I had to report them to my employer. I ended up suing him after the case was dismissed and he was forced to pay my attorney fees. So be careful when you help someone.

 

[strathcona]

I no longer help people on the side of the road. I pulled a guy out of a snow bank a few years back. He ended up calling the state police after I got him on the road and I had left. He provided them pictures he took from his rear view mirror while I pulled him out saying I forced him off the road. You couldnt see the rope in the pictures and needless to say the state police visited my home later that night.

Due to the charges the state police filed I had to report them to my employer. I ended up suing him after the case was dismissed and he was forced to pay my attorney fees. So be careful when you help someone.

Man, that's pretty frigging greasy. Totally understand why you wouldn't stop anymore. Glad it turned out well for you.

 

[CXS]

I no longer help people on the side of the road. I pulled a guy out of a snow bank a few years back. He ended up calling the state police after I got him on the road and I had left. He provided them pictures he took from his rear view mirror while I pulled him out saying I forced him off the road. You couldnt see the rope in the pictures and needless to say the state police visited my home later that night.

Due to the charges the state police filed I had to report them to my employer. I ended up suing him after the case was dismissed and he was forced to pay my attorney fees. So be careful when you help someone.

Implicating you for his screw up of running off the road? Gotta wonder why a guy would do that.

I'd stop helping too if that happened to me. Crazies shouldn't be allowed on the road.

 

[Jeremy556]

If they don't have frame anchor points and it's not a life or death situation, I'll offer to call them a tow truck.

 

[MikeyMike]

I no longer help people on the side of the road. I pulled a guy out of a snow bank a few years back. He ended up calling the state police after I got him on the road and I had left. He provided them pictures he took from his rear view mirror while I pulled him out saying I forced him off the road. You couldnt see the rope in the pictures and needless to say the state police visited my home later that night.

Due to the charges the state police filed I had to report them to my employer. I ended up suing him after the case was dismissed and he was forced to pay my attorney fees. So be careful when you help someone.

I have officially lost faith in humanity.

 

[ncpinz]

I won't pull any one out on the road. Too much risk of getting hit by traffic, damage to the other vehicle they'll try and get you to pay for, and other crap. Stopping to assist otherwise is fine but I won't hook you up to my rig.

 

[Krayziekid]

I no longer help people on the side of the road. I pulled a guy out of a snow bank a few years back. He ended up calling the state police after I got him on the road and I had left. He provided them pictures he took from his rear view mirror while I pulled him out saying I forced him off the road. You couldnt see the rope in the pictures and needless to say the state police visited my home later that night.

Due to the charges the state police filed I had to report them to my employer. I ended up suing him after the case was dismissed and he was forced to pay my attorney fees. So be careful when you help someone.

Holy. Shit. Dude that is absolutely nuts. Yea, I won't be going out of my way to try and find people to help, but I figured if it was an urgent situation that required assistance, it might be good to know.

But man, all of these horror stories and stuff. Now I do know that if I actually help someone in a desperate situation, I should get a video or something like that. Lots of good advice in this thread.

 

[kevinpt]

i get out and offer to push cars but thats it.

 

[Range]

In this day and age I film everything on my phone and get the persons approval on record. Dash cams, rear cams, side cams.....all of this shit is necessary now because there so many a**holes out there. When I was slinging medical devices almost 99% of the doctors said they would not help someone in need because people will turn around and sue. My buddy is a firefighter in Vegas and his station got sued by some b*tch who was having a heart attack on the casino floor. They cut open her shirt to apply the Defibrillator to save her life. Well she sued them for exposing her bra and the embarrassment from people seeing it. B*tch didn't win but that's how slimy people in this world have become.