Towing/Recovery winches,chains,straps,shackles,D-rings

[addicted]

This last winter was pretty sick. Even over here in germany we had 3+ feet of snow up in the area I like to hunt.  That being said, i'm sure i'm not the only one who got into it for a little more than they bargained for and had to be pulled out. This year I have a New rig with less anchor points so i want to be prepaired, not only to stay conservative on my driving, but also to help my buddies out which was often the case.  I'm not putting a new bumper on my cherokee so i'm not going to get a winch so thats out.  I figure this is a good topic for all of us to get prepped.

What is your guy's set up for vehicle recovery?

What is your opinion on tow chains VS straps, etc?

Pics are ALWAYS good.

[Woodchuck]

straps, always straps, they actually multiply pulling force because they will stretch and they rip stuff apart alot less when you have to "bump" it a little to get em started 

[addicted]

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2479235/how_to_use_bbq_grill_and_chains_to_extract_a_stuck_tractor_long/

[Special T]

With no winch i'd go for 2 straps a come along a length of chain or cable, and a pair of link tire chains or 2 for the ride.... and a couple of screw in Clevis pins 

[jeepasaurusrex]

What vehicle do you have now?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Pretty sure he's got that pretty Red Grand Cherokee...

On that light vehicle... I'd go with straps and the best com'a long you can get and some good tire chains.. Not cable chains.

-Steve

[jeepasaurusrex]

Get a D-ring hitch adapter for the rear that goes into the receiver hitch.


If its the same model (ZJ) as mine, I could fab up some D-Ring mounts for the front and ship them over.

Or, you could get a front bumper with them built into it like this one, and a winch!

[JackOfAllTrades]

That D' ring adaptor for the rear hitch is a great idea.  Between now and then, find all hook/tie down points on the rig. Add some so you have one on each corner. The center hitch/pull point is not always the best. Being able to pull from any corner would be the best. Depending on the com'a long you get, also get a length of braded cable, (coils really nice and a hundred feet or so should fit under the drivers side back seat. Sto the tire chains for four wheels on the passenger side.). For that cable, get a nice pully/block for that tougher pull. I saw a prototype 4x4 show on TV the other day. They were using a Dacron winch rope on some pretty heavy rigs. Lightweight and no cable splinters. You might search for that stuff. Unlike Nylon, Dacron doesn't stretch. You could still get say a 4-6000 pound permanent magnet winch that will slip into the hitch receiver if you want to spend more money. But, it's a Grand Cherokee, not a CJ or truck. I think before I bought a winch, I'd look into lockers for the differentials. Lockers and chains on the tires will allow you to get that Cherokee into some serious trouble. Remember, it's full time 4x4, so it's not like you can go in 2x.. And get your self out in 4x4.

-Steve

[BLUEBULLS]

what are you guys talking about??? ?Never heard of such a thing, I drive a Toyota

oops, might have just started a chevy vs ford thing

we've always had good luck using barge ropes, you know, the big ole thick ones, you can get a ton of slack and it won't break anything, they actually have a lot of stretch so they somewhat slingshot you.

[jeepasaurusrex]

There is a hitch plug on my Jeep that reads "Remove to pull out Toyotas" 

[jackelope]

I highly recommend a snatch block, a big effing chain and a big effing winch, a couple shovels and a few buddies.
just sayin....

[whacker1]

snatch block

 

[BLUEBULLS]

There is a hitch plug on my Jeep that reads "Remove to pull out Toyotas" 

let me know if you need instructions to get that plug out, I know you've never had to take it out

[ICEMAN]

Welded v lug mud and snow chains would be nice. (Is that a Chevy in the ditch?)

[addicted]

Thanks guys.

the all time 4x4 has a gyroptic whatchamacallitdoohicky that engages when it senses the rear breaking loose, but it also has 4 low where i can lock em up?