Snatch Strap / Vehicle Recovery Questions

[Great-Kazoo]

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.

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

[XJ]

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.

[JohnnyEgo]

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...

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:

[TFOGGER]

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.

[Ah Pook]

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.

[JohnnyEgo]

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.

[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!

[blackford76]

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!

Lots of WIN here.

[Irving]

[Ranger353]

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!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.