Snatch Strap / Vehicle Recovery Questions

So as the side of Jim's metal outbuilding can attest, I am not a great driver under near optimal conditions. I am from Florida, and have a Florida truck; a long bed Nissan Titan with 2wd. Friday was the annual 'make poor choices' night, when I pulled off the road onto a soft shoulder to help out another motorist, and promptly got stuck myself. Fortunately, a guy with a tow strap stopped by and pulled me out. It was made easier by the fact that I have front mounted tow hooks.

This is actually the second time this has happened to me since I've moved to Colorado, which points to the fact that I am unlikely to learn from my mistakes or install a limited slip differential in my truck. So it is probably a good idea for me to have a tow/snatch strap of my own for when I make this same mistake next year. Does anyone have any recommendations on straps or any tips for vehicle recovery without destroying anything?

I never hurts to have extraction tools of your own. Some people want to help but don't carry the tools they need to provide the help. A limited slip is helpful on some occasions but it's not the cure all. I always carry tools, tire chains, a shovel, jumper cables, a hitch attachment, tow strap and tow chains in the winter.

They have been very helpful on many occasions.

Best tip - don't get stuck.

We have a couple of these.

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towing...aps-Tow-Straps

Have also had good results with the Smittybilt.

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Originally Posted by buffalobo

Best tip - don't get stuck.

We have a couple of these.

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towing...aps-Tow-Straps

Have also had good results with the Smittybilt.

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Should have mentioned that to him, before he turned a 3 car in to a 2 car with overhang

You just need a bigger ditch to catch the Floridians.

ARB makes the best straps IMHO, however I have a smittybilt that I love that is much cheaper.

2 wheel drive truck.....?
Never herda such athang.

A Kenetic rope is my next purchase to complete this kit I just picked up.

http://www.asroffroad.com/kinetic-recovery-ropes/

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...3485e59f40.jpg


Sent from my iPhone

I'm glad you put that dent in Jim's garage first, because I put my mirror on it once after you did.

Buy a shovel

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Originally Posted by buffalobo

You just need a bigger ditch to catch the Floridians.

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Never understand how almost anyone with a truck cannot make it in to an area i'm able to pull the truck with a 17' trailer through.

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Originally Posted by Tinelement

2 wheel drive truck.....?
Never herda such athang.

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Us folk on the east side of 25 own a few

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Originally Posted by Irving

I'm glad you put that dent in Jim's garage first, because I put my mirror on it once after you did.

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Same damn place. it's got to be a young guy thing. How hard is it to put something large in to a small opening ;)

It's one of those things where it is different with people watching, apparently.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

Same damn place. it's got to be a young guy thing. How hard is it to put something large in to a small opening ;)

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Usually someone helps guide me in.

But I digress...

Shovels, tire chains, and as Jim likes to point out, four snow tires on a two wheel drive truck, I have these things. I don't really have a problem staying on the road. It's that twice I have decided it would be a good idea to go off it.

http://johnnyego.com/dump/snowpocalypse/HDR13.JPG

The US Cargo link was informative. Think I will buy a recovery strap, a shackle, and a 6 pack of Miller Lite as bait for someone with an F250.

You have been here long enough, it's ok to trade it in on a 4WD. You're gonna want to go off road again.

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Originally Posted by JohnnyEgo

Usually someone helps guide me in.

But I digress...

Shovels, tire chains, and as Jim likes to point out, four snow tires on a two wheel drive truck, I have these things. I don't really have a problem staying on the road. It's that twice I have decided it would be a good idea to go off it.

http://johnnyego.com/dump/snowpocalypse/HDR13.JPG

The US Cargo link was informative. Think I will buy a recovery strap, a shackle, and a 6 pack of Miller Lite as bait for someone with an F250.

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Replace that beer with some of those chocolate cakes you make.

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Originally Posted by JohnnyEgo

Shovels, tire chains, and as Jim likes to point out, four snow tires on a two wheel drive truck, I have these things. I don't really have a problem staying on the road. It's that twice I have decided it would be a good idea to go off it.

Think I will buy a recovery strap, a shackle, and a 6 pack of Miller Lite as bait for someone with an F250.

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I was going to make a joke about buying more Snapples because I swear I've seen driving tips under the caps, but it doesn't get much more hilarious than this^^^^.

LOL good info here.

ARB or Bubba Rope if you have the cash. Otherwise, pretty much any decent strap will work well. Just make sure you understand the different uses for stretchy (what you want) vs. non-stretchy (usually only for towing). I don't remember the length of the first one I bought but it was too long, so don't go too crazy.

Get at least two shackles/clevis/d-rings. 3/4 is probably good enough, you can usually find them cheapest at a farm-type store, but even amazon ships em too.

As someone posted above, sometimes the "kits" are good deals, especially this time of year as they clear out last year's models. Double that if you ever think you might take that 2wd off-road for some fun wheeling in the mountains.

Other easy stuff I didn't see mentioned - a container of kitty litter will go a long ways, or since you have a lot of room in that bed, you could toss some traction plates or whatever they're called in there - there are a ton of different kinds, but the idea is that you just stick em' under your tire and drive right out. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LF6WNW/ but I assume there's something cheaper out there too that would work just as well.

I've had to dig myself out more than once, and a high lift jack makes it easy to lift the truck and get a shovel under the axle. The issue with a high lift though, is that you need a place to lift it. If you have a trailer hitch, just the open post is good, as long as it's the rear you need to be lifting, and you aren't on such a steep grade that the truck will move.

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Originally Posted by JohnnyEgo

Think I will buy a recovery strap, a shackle, and a 6 pack of Miller Lite as bait for someone with an F250.

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Not all of us drink miller...

Those straps are way overkill for your little truck. That's for a full blown off road recovery.

I carry keeper brand straps. They're not too expensive if you cut one because some dumbass wrapped it around the bumper and not the tow hook...

I bought a strap from Harbor Freight ten years ago. I have used it multiple times and still in great shape.

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Originally Posted by Brian

LOL good info here.

ARB or Bubba Rope if you have the cash. Otherwise, pretty much any decent strap will work well. Just make sure you understand the different uses for stretchy (what you want) vs. non-stretchy (usually only for towing). I don't remember the length of the first one I bought but it was too long, so don't go too crazy.

Get at least two shackles/clevis/d-rings. 3/4 is probably good enough, you can usually find them cheapest at a farm-type store, but even amazon ships em too.

As someone posted above, sometimes the "kits" are good deals, especially this time of year as they clear out last year's models. Double that if you ever think you might take that 2wd off-road for some fun wheeling in the mountains.

Other easy stuff I didn't see mentioned - a container of kitty litter will go a long ways, or since you have a lot of room in that bed, you could toss some traction plates or whatever they're called in there - there are a ton of different kinds, but the idea is that you just stick em' under your tire and drive right out. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LF6WNW/ but I assume there's something cheaper out there too that would work just as well.

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Few pieces of 2 x 6, Providing no one is standing behind you. OUCH!

Get a jeep, then you can also become stuck or broken down in remote places!


But seriously, learn how to use a strap safely. It isn't pretty when they break.

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

Not all of us drink miller...

Those straps are way overkill for your little truck. That's for a full blown off road recovery.

I carry keeper brand straps. They're not too expensive if you cut one because some dumbass wrapped it around the bumper and not the tow hook...

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PBR?

I will be the first to admit that my truck is not a commercial use vehicle. However, at 5500 lbs GVW, it has a couple hundred pounds on the F150 and weighs more than enough to get stuck pretty good. I'll take a look at the Keeper branded straps.

The truck in less snowy weather:

http://johnnyego.com/photography/titan/pawneetitan2.jpg

I always keep a Hi-lift jack, a compact shovel, a 20 foot chain with hooks and a clevis, and a comealong in my off road vehicle. Daily drivers all have at least a folding shovel and an old rug or two for traction.

I bought a '92 Jeep Cherokee last year. The original owners were a retired couple in AZ.

When I got it home and popped the rear seat up, this is what I found;

4 tire chains
A tug strap
Jumper cables
An extra serpentine belt
1 .38 round

They were some prepared Arizonians.

The OP mentioned having hooks on the front of the truck. What tow points are on the back end?

I carry a couple of smaller shackles for the Subys. Their front/rear tow points have smaller holes. The tow point gets the smaller shackle and then the larger shackle/strap are attached.

A 5lb container of cat litter (not used) is useful for traction.

I've got a class IV hitch back there that is welded into the frame. Haven't really looked to see what else is under there.
The front tow hooks are bolted into the frame, but protrude conveniently from the front bumper.

I always let the person who is stuck attach the strap to their vehicle before I pull them out. I give them advice on where I think the best location for the strap would be, but I let them actually attach it to their vehicle. I don't want to be blamed for damage to their vehicle when I'm just trying to help them out!

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Originally Posted by TennVol

I always let the person who is stuck attach the strap to their vehicle before I pull them out. I give them advice on where I think the best location for the strap would be, but I let them actually attach it to their vehicle. I don't want to be blamed for damage to their vehicle when I'm just trying to help them out!

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Lots of WIN here.

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Originally Posted by TennVol

I always let the person who is stuck attach the strap to their vehicle before I pull them out. I give them advice on where I think the best location for the strap would be, but I let them actually attach it to their vehicle. I don't want to be blamed for damage to their vehicle when I'm just trying to help them out!

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yup, that is some good advice there boys and girls.

Recommend those with a 2WD pickup truck living in Colorado go and trade it in for a 4WD truck because if it ain't snow then it's rain, mud, sand, etc... that is going to get you. Something is going to get you stuck in that 2WD truck. Just my recommendation.

I drove a 2wd for 9 years. Got stuck twice. Once on black ice sliding off the road though I self rescued after an hour of work. once in the mud trying to turn around in a place I knew I shouldn't go into. A good man in a 4x4 pulled me out of the mud.

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Originally Posted by Ranger353

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yup, that is some good advice there boys and girls.

Recommend those with a 2WD pickup truck living in Colorado go and trade it in for a 4WD truck because if it ain't snow then it's rain, mud, sand, etc... that is going to get you. Something is going to get you stuck in that 2WD truck. Just my recommendation.

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If one doesn't know how to drive, any vehicle will get stuck. We have 4x's 2'x and FWD, each has a purpose and know when to utilize them.

4x4 only gets you stuck worse because you thought you could make it.

http://8903e7f0897f2982f439-51d6683c...p-1640x480.jpg

These work pretty well when the ones with hooks won't fit a smaller vehicle..

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Originally Posted by buffalobo

You just need a flatter, less snowy ditch to temporarily catch the Floridians.

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FIFY