Recovery Kits
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 17:54
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BenSpoon
Whats in your recovery kit?
What I am chasing is useful kit that people have come across for recoveries that they use now. Theres all the standard crap like chains, slings, shackles etc, but I need a new toy. I've heard davoes reports of the hub lifter- a useful bit of gear. Ive recently purchased a decent saw, and lost count how many times I've used it. Any items you'd recommend? has anyone used a chain block instead of a hand winch? Has anyone found a safe and easy way of using a spinning tyre as a winch etc
Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 18:19
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 18:19
My recovery "toys" would probally be a couple of traction mats. (they look weak as bleep but have actually done their job suprisingly
well a couple of times). I also have an exaust jack, it does work and it's easy and quick to get out, but a pain in the ass to put away again.
Then I've got the usual, snatch, equalizer, shackles yada yada. Got a 9 tonne tow rope as
well for the towing of mad friends who've broken something back down the highway. Not much else, oh except the short shovel and long handled shovel.
AnswerID:
115751
Follow Up By: BenSpoon - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 18:28
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 18:28
I found one traction mat in the
pilbara after cyclone monty levelled the place- still haven't had a need for it though. Are yours the thin plastic
grid ones, or the big treads with teeth on the bottom or something else?
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 19:08
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 19:08
I have a mate who takes a long length of plasma rope and uses it as a substitute for a winch.
To winch someone up a short slope, or to move them in a sideways direction or backwards or whatever, you attach a snatch block to a tree ahead of the stuck vehicle, and run the plasma rope between the stuck vehicle, thru the snatch block and onto the recovery vehicle. So the recovery vehicle simply has to reverse to pull the stuck vehicle forward, or sideways or whatever.
The rope isn't cheap, but he says its more versatile than an electric winch, won't break down, is stacks lighter and has heaps more uses and applications.
Just some ideas
Cheers
Phil
AnswerID:
115756
Follow Up By: David T - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 20:16
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 20:16
Whilst I admire the simplicity of this suggestion, have caution about using reverse gear.
I'll tell a story,
Two made mates of
mine were running V8 Falcons in the Australian Rally Championship. When Car 1 was stuck off the road, and Car 2 came along, they flagged him down for a tow out of their predicament. He attached the tow rope to the front of his vehicle and REVERSED away. Broke the reverse gear and ultimately destroyed the gearbox forcing him out of the rally.
When we were discussing the event later that evening, one of the mechanics said the problem was not the overall strength of the gearbox, but just reverse gear - can't take massive loads.
I think the above is great, but could you do the same with the tow vehicle driving forwards.
Just my 2 cents
DavidT
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 21:56
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005 at 21:56
Hi David,
I agree wholeheartedly about reversing. Its usually the Toyota front diff that goes crunch with a reverse snatch; but I'd be guessing that in this situation, the force applied would only be a tow, and the driver would like to have a good view of the recovery.
But, I am just guessing - its not something I've done in practice.
Cheers
Phil
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Jun 15, 2005 at 17:55
Wednesday, Jun 15, 2005 at 17:55
Phil it's an excellant recovery techneque which is 10 times faster than winching with little or no stress on the cars. The weight of the towing car on the
hill means little effort is required to get the stuck vehicle going often without even snatching. You do need an excellent anchor point as the recovery load will be doubled. I use a 50m winch cable in preferance to Plasma rope so that I can drag it over rocks or logs without fear of breaking it. In
the desert if I connect my 50m winch rope to the 50 m extension, add the drag chain & a couple of snatch straps I can usually reach a 1/2 solid anchor point somewhere.
As for reverse gear take the time to turn around.
Cheers Craig..............
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