The right way to pull someone out of a ditch?

[JasonCz]

We've been having some bad weather around here so it got me thinking. I've never had a vehicle where I had the ability to help someone stuck in a ditch, so I've been looking for a good writeup on some of the basics. What kind of tow strap is recommended (with hooks, just loops, etc.)? What load rating is sufficient? Where should I hook the strap to on my T4R? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

 

[philsey]

Rule #1. Don't get yourself stuck doing it.

 

[JasonCz]

Rule #1. Don't get yourself stuck doing it.

Well, I guess that's a start, but I was looking for a bit more detail...

 

[T4Rfun]

I've never had a vehicle where I had the ability to help someone stuck in a ditch, so I've been looking for a good writeup on some of the basics. What kind of tow strap is recommended (with hooks, just loops, etc.)? What load rating is sufficient? Where should I hook the strap to on my T4R? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

There are as many answers as possible scenarios, equipment carried, experience, your rig Vs. what you are trying to recover, etc. Of course you probably already know that. Here is a good place to start with your education. Plenty of free articles as well as books and DVD's you could buy if you are so inclined. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Bill, do it.

Bill Burke's 4-Wheeling America - off road 4x4 driver training.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Are you talking about offroad or like someone got stuck in a ditch during a snow storm?

Straps with hooks are bad. Stay away. The hooks could break off and become projectiles.

Recovery straps are nice to have. You might also need a snatch strap.

 

[JasonCz]

There are as many answers as possible scenarios, equipment carried, experience, your rig Vs. what you are trying to recover, etc. Of course you probably already know that. Here is a good place to start with your education. Plenty of free articles as well as books and DVD's you could buy if you are so inclined. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Bill, do it.

Bill Burke's 4-Wheeling America - off road 4x4 driver training.

There's some great articles there....thanks.

 

[Clattertruck]

Take a look at the Warn Catalog. I carry a 3 inch recovery strap, a tree truck protector (for helping to hook up) , and a Receiver Shackle bracket and a couple of shackles.

http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/656/WarnCatalog_2009.pdf
Page 19.

I am very reluctant to do the hooking to the other vehicle or you open yourself up to being at fault if something is damaged. Let the driver do it. Carry a small tarp to put down for attaching

Have people stand well clear of the strap should it come loose.

Make a straight pull if possible, using low range.
Read the sites mentioned in posts above

 

[JasonCz]

Take a look at the Warn Catalog. I carry a 3 inch recovery strap, a tree truck protector (for helping to hook up) , and a Receiver Shackle bracket and a couple of shackles.

http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/656/WarnCatalog_2009.pdf
Page 19.

I am very reluctant to do the hooking to the other vehicle or you open yourself up to being at fault if something is damaged. Let the driver do it. Carry a small tarp to put down for attaching

Have people stand well clear of the strap should it come loose.

Make a straight pull if possible, using low range.
Read the sites mentioned in posts above

That's exactly what I was looking for...thanks!

I'm guessing that 4LO would be the recommended gear?

 

[JasonCz]

Are you talking about offroad or like someone got stuck in a ditch during a snow storm?

Straps with hooks are bad. Stay away. The hooks could break off and become projectiles.

Recovery straps are nice to have. You might also need a snatch strap.

Yeah, I figured that about the hooks.

What's the difference between a recovery strap and a snatch strap?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

From what I gathered snatch straps have a lot more give in them than recovery straps. They would be useful if you needed to get some momentum to pull someone out. Recovery straps don't give as much.

I would definitely get some kind of shackle for your 4runner.

Most vehicles have tow points. That's where you could attach the strap to the other vehicles.

 

[Ryan_S]

Snatch straps use kinetic energy and a "running start" to yank the stick vehicle out. Recovery straps are more rigid and used for just pulling.

Watched a pair of bubbas get more stuck today trying to tow someone out with a chain. 1. Don't use a chain. 2. Don't get more stuck when recovering someone.

 

[JB.]

Anything else I need to know?

If possible, do the pull in forward rather than reverse. Gears are stronger in that direction.

 

[JasonCz]

If possible, do the pull in forward rather than reverse. Gears are stronger in that direction.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[1000MPH]

Sounds like the best way to pull someone out of a ditch is to call AAA

 

[JohnsD90]

There are as many answers as possible scenarios, equipment carried, experience, your rig Vs. what you are trying to recover, etc. Of course you probably already know that. Here is a good place to start with your education. Plenty of free articles as well as books and DVD's you could buy if you are so inclined. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Bill, do it.

Bill Burke's 4-Wheeling America - off road 4x4 driver training.

Bill has very good tips, he is a real expert, he has a segment in the Rovers North Magazine i get 4 times a year.