Vehicle recovery gear and tips

[Transient]

This is my 6th 4WD vehicle. I 4wheeled all of them. From as small as a 1943 Willeys and Jeep CJ5 to mid size and full size rigs. I don't want to belittle your process here I just disagree. Wheeling a full size rig has advantages and disatvantages. One advantage is the ability to carry what you need. Your going to pack an impact driver, battery, and charger. Then eliminate some of the sockets you may need. I dont get it.

Here is an example of a real life trail repair I made to get off of Fins and Things trail in Moab, UT. Sometimes the things you need are not what you expect. When my differential was bleeding to death on the trail the first thing I grabed was a HATCHET to beat the bent diff cover back in. Then I sealed it with JB Weld. That got me to an auto parts store back in town for more JB Weld. Back to camp for a better field repair and back to finish the trail the next day. I detailed it in this post because it is impoetant to everyone that leaves pavement in a Trail Boss.

TB has serious flaw when off road

Bottom line: The rear differential cover is poorly designed and is easily damaged leading to a total loss of fluid when off road. The lowest point of your ground clearance is the differential cover, not the differential. The cover has a ridiculous lip that extends past the outside diameter of...

www.trailboss.org

Steve

Let me help you explain where you're failing to comprehend because you have completely avoided answering my initial question. I specifically asked which size sockets have people actually used in their rigs. I even stated that if that size socket isn't being used there is no point in carrying them. When you say, "Then eliminate some of the sockets you may need." Indicates you're not even on topic with the question. Do you really want to attempt to answer the question that was asked, or argue about a topic that was never asked? Right now it seems like the latter. I wish it was the other.

 

[PHXPHOTOG]

Let me help you explain where you're failing to comprehend because you have completely avoided answering my initial question. I specifically asked which size sockets have people actually used in their rigs. I even stated that if that size socket isn't being used there is no point in carrying them. When you say, "Then eliminate some of the sockets you may need." Indicates you're not even on topic with the question. Do you really want to attempt to answer the question that was asked, or argue about a topic that was never asked? Right now it seems like the latter. I wish it was the other.

I don't get in pissing matches on forums. I said what I said and stand by it. I think it would be a mistake to carry an impact gun, battery, and charger then leave a bunch of sockets behind for space and weight. This is a great forum with a bunch of good guys willing to share experience and knowledge. I have seen your contentiousness on here before. I am not taking the bait. I am out on this topic. Go piss in another sand box.

 

[Jneufeld]

3rd belt, 87k miles. The truck likes to throw them about every 40K but I get a nice, loud, belt squeal on startup for about 5k miles before it lets loose so at least I have some warning . I noticed on this last belt swap that the idler pulley is slightly out of alignment, but GM wont cover it since they consider a belt to be a "wear" item and I didn't bring it in during the warranty phase. Its an irritating situation since it has obviously been this way since day one, but oh well, I would rather not have their technicians touch my truck anyways since it usually gets returned to me with more issues than it went in with. Outside of warranty work, I do all of my own repairs and an idler pulley is a 5 minute job so I'm not too worried.

Doin my belts asap. Hard core squeal. So embarassing. Got the full belt kit. Main belt, ac belt, ac tool, new pulley . Gonna try the zap strap method for the main belt.

Fingers crossed...

 

[travelinscout]

I spent many years in the deserts of AZ for work, in very remote locations.

I carry the following all the time:

Fire Extinguisher
Off Road Floor Jack
Air Compressor
4-Way Tire Iron
Flares
Traction Boards
E-tool
Recovery Straps and Shackles
Tire Plug and Patch Kit
Spare Valve Cores
TP
A Couple of Large Towels and a Blanket
Fuse Kit
Flashlight
Large Machete
Handheld VHF Radio

Its impossible to carry everything, but I think this will get me going in 99% of circumstances

 

[vezePilot]

I have uploaded pics of the recovery gear that is always in the back of my TB. I used most all of it last night.

Did another Offroad Recovery last night. Guy with a 2021 4Runner at 6 PM slid off a snow covered jeep trail about 4 miles from pavement. This is in serious mountains between Allenspark and Estes Park, CO above 8,000 ft. Once again, the practicality of my Trail Boss meant that I was the only volunteer who made it to the location. The trail/road in to the location was pretty rough, probably a 4 - 5 difficulty rating. The steepness of the slope is not apparent. We had to pull him to the left in this pic, which was also steeply uphill. It was quite dark by the time I got there at 8 PM.

We had to rig an Uphill Double Redirect in combination with a Double Line pull. This used all three of my Winch Rings (pulleys), all of the winch line, two 50 ft winch line extensions, three tree savers, two additional recovery straps, a receiver tow point and 8 or 9 soft shackles. The Saf-Xtract App said it would take 7,000 lbs of pull (~5,800 lb vehicle, 14 deg slope, 2 tires buried, shallow snow) but my winch was getting too hot with just a single-line attempt.

My roof-mounted super bright ditch lights, and yellow emergency flashing unit, both worked well on this recovery. I use magnetic mounts for the lights and CB antenna. The ditch lights illuminate about 100 feet into the forest on either side. These really light up the work area when doing the winch rigging. I put my winch and all of these lights inside the bed or cab, so I can get 20 MPG on the freeway.

I’m sure glad that the stuck driver is often a lot younger than my 68 years, so I ask them to do most of the climbing up slopes to get to the anchor trees. Here in Colorado, in the mountains, the jeep trails are often Shelf Roads, with terrain going steeply up hill on one side and steeply downhill on the other.

And I have never seen any advantage in using the downhill side.

Working together we got him back up onto the road/jeep trail. We used my large kinetic rope for a short pull, and then he was back in business. I was back home by midnight.

(Note that this was one of many times when the big Chevy has rescued a Toyota.)
.

 

[Jmzvet]

That guy was very lucky to have a prepared, experienced person like you to assist. I hope he appreciated it

 

[murph21]

Great job! That looks like a lot of math physics. I'd still be stuck :}

 

[RET-G]

LIved in Moab for almost seven years when I first retired, had a Hummer H3 and 2003 Jeep. When out running the trails we carried the standard snatch / tow straps, battery powered 1/2 impact and sockets all the way to 36mm and basically used most at certain times. We off-roaded with any and about all types of off-road vehicles (Nissans, Jeeps, Hummers H2, Humvees, you name it I off-roaded with it at one time (most), there was no biased in vehicles when we were off-roading in a large group.
Cannot tell how many times we stopped to help other groups to help out with a breakdown.
Besides tools we always carried spare tie-rod end, front axle shafts, and billions of heavy duty tie-straps and tire plugs. They say you cannot plug sidewalls; however, I traveled a good three miles with 13 tire plugs in the side of a POS BF Goodrich KM2 tire. Had to stop about every quarter mile to fill back up; however, it got me to a paved road for a tow truck to get me the rest of the way into Point S on hwy 191.
Never again purchased a set of BFG tires; and never will. When I purchased the BFG POS tires I did all five and on the outing with a few other vehicles in the Henry Mountains, two BFG POS tires got their sidewalls split.
Ran Cooper STT, Dunlop Fierce Attitudes and not one problem. My mistake for trying different brands after being told to forget BFG KM.

 

[vezePilot]

The size and wheelbase of my Trail Boss will keep me off of trails, and out of areas, where I might need to be concerned about serious damage. Could be a benefit, may certainly be a drawback. But on the trails that I can access, folks are probably not going to be breaking u-joints or axles. I won't be wrenching nor welding on vehicles I might assist with. (although I would like to do off road welding, just for fun.)

Is this a truism: Most off roading will be inexperienced drivers, with the prepared being the minority? Also, the unprepared may get in trouble more often. Because I don't need another hobby -4-wheeling- I won't be constantly trying to go further and run more difficult trails. My off roading is focused on helping others, and the less-prepared will need help most often. They will also not have gotten far into trail difficulty.

So I sometimes think of potential needs of persons, which may be drinking water, calories, clothing, shelter, med, starting, gas, oil, etc. And I do carry a well-stocked toolbag, including tire repair kit. Also a Milwaukee inflator.

 

[vezePilot]

The most difficult part of the Recovery work that I have done is often simply finding the stranded vehicle. On Sugarloaf Mountain and on Elk Hill Road, these were outside cell phone service, and there were many branches off of what looked like the "main trail." The GPS geolocation in my Trail Boss remained active, but I forgot about my detailed Avenza maps. Two other volunteers lost all navigation reference and never made it to the stranded vehicle.

I need to remember to use my Avenza Maps app. I have it on both my phone and tablet. I prefer it to alternatives, the app is free and the maps that I need are free. And it geolocates very well outside cell service. So I just updated the maps that I have, and downloaded a couple of new ones that I will need.

Off-Roading

Digital maps for off-roading and back-roading available through Avenza. Download an off-roading map to your mobile device for offline use in the Avenza Maps app.

store.avenza.com

 

[vezePilot]

LIved in Moab for almost seven years when I first retired, had a Hummer H3 and 2003 Jeep.

Have you done much Offroading in your Trail Boss yet? What difficulty level were you able to run in your H3? How does the TB compare?

 

[RET-G]

Have you done much Offroading in your Trail Boss yet? What difficulty level were you able to run in your H3? How does the TB compare?

Honestly, there is no comparison between the TB and a H3 or other ICE Hummers (cannot speak for the new GMC Hummer versions).
The only clearance spec that the TB excels in when compared to a H3 with off-road package and 33" tires is ground clearance.
TB ground clearance is 10.7"; H3 10.5"
Approach angle TB 28.7 deg / H3 39 deg
Breakover angle TB 16.8 deg / H3 23.7 deg
Departure angle TV 27.2 deg / H3 36.3 deg.
(TB clearances found here on TB website in a previous posting / H3 clearances are from memory of GM supplied info on the old, now closed Hummer site?

As for power, the H3 had a good strong 5 cyl engine (later a V8 was offered). It did not have a great towing capability and I can attest a large off-road popup trailer was about it for the H3 and it did not like it hanging off it's rear end on the interstate.

I ran almost every trail, at least once in Moab with the H3; EXCEPT for Pritchett Canyon and Coyote Wash. I did run part of Pritchett but was smart enough to stop before I completely destroyed the H3 and gave myself a heart attack.
A few trails, such as Moab RIM I ran twice and then decided I hated each time I ran it and never went back for a third try. But I also walked in once and that was some walk up.

All the years in Moab and running all those trails and never any body damage except for the rear bumper, and only once was there any damage to my body and that was when the Hummers got together one fall day to run Lockhart Canyon a few weeks after a massive flood went through the canyons. And that day, was a day to remember. I was standing next to an H2 that was maneuvering a nasty side slope and someone yelled at me to move and I did quickly (too quickly to be precise). I jumped to my right and there was nothing but space and down I want to a ledge below. Broke right arm in five places, wrist in three places, broke a bottom right rib when my Sig's barrel end hit a bolder and slammed up into my lower right chest.

And the fun part was, we had NO extra drivers riding gun, so rather than leave the H3 behind, I drove it back to a parking area off Kane Creek, where a BLM ranger ( good friend) met us and was able to get me to the Moab Hospital faster than it would normally take, for body repairs.
But until that little accident, we had a great time climbing over boulder and boulder.

I was in the Solar Flare (Orange) H3.

Now why did I get a TB? I liked it, I wanted something that was capable to pull a small trailer down some nasty dirty/rocky roads in AZ, NV, UT, CO, ID, WY and MT. And being older, I wanted some more creature comforts and inside room for me, my partner (for insurance purposes) but in reality a girl-friend and a large dog. So the TB met the requirements and I like the idea of a small 6-cyl diesel and the Silverado is a good looking truck.
From what i have seen, only thing that might need an upgrade are the tires. As much as I don't want a harsher ride, a 3-ply sidewall might be in the future due to some of the roads I'll be traveling. Not technical roads, I'm past that stage, but roads where nasty sharp rocks may lie hidden meaning I won't have to change a tire in the middle of a trail.

 

[travelinscout]

Honestly, there is no comparison between the TB and a H3 or other ICE Hummers (cannot speak for the new GMC Hummer versions).
The only clearance spec that the TB excels in when compared to a H3 with off-road package and 33" tires is ground clearance.
TB ground clearance is 10.7"; H3 10.5"
Approach angle TB 28.7 deg / H3 39 deg
Breakover angle TB 16.8 deg / H3 23.7 deg
Departure angle TV 27.2 deg / H3 36.3 deg.
(TB clearances found here on TB website in a previous posting / H3 clearances are from memory of GM supplied info on the old, now closed Hummer site?

As for power, the H3 had a good strong 5 cyl engine (later a V8 was offered). It did not have a great towing capability and I can attest a large off-road popup trailer was about it for the H3 and it did not like it hanging off it's rear end on the interstate.

I ran almost every trail, at least once in Moab with the H3; EXCEPT for Pritchett Canyon and Coyote Wash. I did run part of Pritchett but was smart enough to stop before I completely destroyed the H3 and gave myself a heart attack.
A few trails, such as Moab RIM I ran twice and then decided I hated each time I ran it and never went back for a third try. But I also walked in once and that was some walk up.

All the years in Moab and running all those trails and never any body damage except for the rear bumper, and only once was there any damage to my body and that was when the Hummers got together one fall day to run Lockhart Canyon a few weeks after a massive flood went through the canyons. And that day, was a day to remember. I was standing next to an H2 that was maneuvering a nasty side slope and someone yelled at me to move and I did quickly (too quickly to be precise). I jumped to my right and there was nothing but space and down I want to a ledge below. Broke right arm in five places, wrist in three places, broke a bottom right rib when my Sig's barrel end hit a bolder and slammed up into my lower right chest.

And the fun part was, we had NO extra drivers riding gun, so rather than leave the H3 behind, I drove it back to a parking area off Kane Creek, where a BLM ranger ( good friend) met us and was able to get me to the Moab Hospital faster than it would normally take, for body repairs.
But until that little accident, we had a great time climbing over boulder and boulder.

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I was in the Solar Flare (Orange) H3.

Now why did I get a TB? I liked it, I wanted something that was capable to pull a small trailer down some nasty dirty/rocky roads in AZ, NV, UT, CO, ID, WY and MT. And being older, I wanted some more creature comforts and inside room for me, my partner (for insurance purposes) but in reality a girl-friend and a large dog. So the TB met the requirements and I like the idea of a small 6-cyl diesel and the Silverado is a good looking truck.
From what i have seen, only thing that might need an upgrade are the tires. As much as I don't want a harsher ride, a 3-ply sidewall might be in the future due to some of the roads I'll be traveling. Not technical roads, I'm past that stage, but roads where nasty sharp rocks may lie hidden meaning I won't have to change a tire in the middle of a trail.

Nice write up! For tires, I am on my second set of the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT in 275 70 18. If you don't mind the weight, they are one of the best tires on the market IMHO.