Recovery Techniques

[4ophenia]

A lot of people have talked about off-roading and helping out others that have gotten stuck.

Assuming the other vehicle does not have any tow loops, where exactly on the other vehicle's frame are you attaching the shackles & recovery straps?

Also, since the H3 has only one rear loop, have you had any weight/balance problems with a snatch or regular pull recovery?

Just want to be prepared ....thanks.

[4ophenia]

A lot of people have talked about off-roading and helping out others that have gotten stuck.

Assuming the other vehicle does not have any tow loops, where exactly on the other vehicle's frame are you attaching the shackles & recovery straps?

Also, since the H3 has only one rear loop, have you had any weight/balance problems with a snatch or regular pull recovery?

Just want to be prepared ....thanks.

[DWPC]

Few stock rigs have D-rings or recovery points like Hummers. Most experienced offroaders add strong attachment points. You have to find a solid location on the frame where you hook on or can wrap the strap and shackle it back on itself. A 2x2 or short pipe throught the loop will prevent it from tightening into a knot. Or carry a short length of good chain that can be secured to the stuck rig then shackled to the strap. A couple wraps will also spread the load. Don't hook up to a factory bumper unless its obviously designed for it, and never hook up to the axle, springs, or a hitch ball. If there's no frame, I wouldn't touch it.

Recovery can be a dangerous operation to vehicles and bystanders. Loads are immense. Be careful and don't buy cheap recovery gear. I don't think the lack of a second D-ring on the H3 is a deficiency; they're rarely in the best spot anyway.

I've also learned to be very cautious about recovery involving people you don't know. I've seen and heard of both lawsuits and violence.

[timgco]

4wheel parts has an attachement hook or shackle that plugs into your hitch on the back. That's what we use. The cost is only like $10.00 for the recovery hook or you can buy a whole kit. Make sure you know how to use this stuff safely before you just try to pull someone out. here's a pic of what i have.

[H3 Hummer]

If you look under a lot of cars and trucks you will find holes in the frame. Not sure if these frames are for towing but they are sturdy none the less.

I was at the beach and pulled out a whole bunch of vehicles including a 4x4 Blazer. After pulling the Blazer's bumber partially off I found a hole in the frame and attached my hook from my tow cable.

I found a hole in the frame on a Honda accord also.

I think it is easier to have extra length then torque when pulling someone out. Maybe it was just because of the sand?

[Sewie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by timgco:
4wheel parts has an attachement hook or shackle that plugs into your hitch on the back. That's what we use. The cost is only like $10.00 for the recovery hook or you can buy a whole kit. Make sure you know how to use this stuff safely before you just try to pull someone out. here's a pic of what i have. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you don't have the adapter you can also just put the loop of the recovery strap into the hitch receiver and put a hitch pin through the loop to hold it.

And like Tim said, make sure you know how to use this stuff. A lot of the club websites have good sections on recovery techniques.

Here's a good one.

[Desert Dan]

The people I have helped out have been very greatful.

But for legal reasons It would be best to let the owner of the vehicle attach the strap to their car (not you) in case some thing brakes or gets bent etc. Lawyers will come running fast....

You can look at it to make sur it wont break off an kill you .. like a tow hook welded on or improperly attached (weak bolts etc). If a tow hook breaks off with a strap it will be like a sling shot and can kill you!!

Don't hook a strp or tow chani to a tie rod or something else like that underneath the car.

Never put your vehicle in risk of getting stranded for a complete stranger (unless really really cute etc.) then you will have 2 cars stuck. Or sliding off the cliff etc.......

Do you want to ruin your clutch or drive the people out to get help????

If a car is stuck on the edge of a highway watch out that you don't get hit by passing
cars.

With all that said... with close friends/people you trust do what ever it takes....

[4ophenia]

Thanks all for responding. All good advise and very much appreciated. I have the Trail Duty recovery kit (heavy duty version) and have checked out the various sites regarding recovery techniques and the "do's" and "dont's".

Nothing beats the real thing, of course, but it's good to get advise early on.

Thanks again!

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3 Hummer:
If you look under a lot of cars and trucks you will find holes in the frame. Not sure if these frames are for towing but they are sturdy none the less.

I was at the beach and pulled out a whole bunch of vehicles including a 4x4 Blazer. After pulling the Blazer's bumber partially off I found a hole in the frame and attached my hook from my tow cable.

I found a hole in the frame on a Honda accord also.

I think it is easier to have extra length then torque when pulling someone out. Maybe it was just because of the sand? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Word of caution on those holes in the frames of some vehicles, not all are designed to take any stress. I have seen some vehicles where the hole has been torn out when someone has put a hook into it and attempted to tow the vehicle. These can be expensive repairs.

Some good information on this thread. As Desert Dan states, "...let the owner of the vehicle attach..."
As for bystanders, have them stand as far away from both vehicles as the length of the tow strap, and not in the front of the tow vehicle or the rear of the towed vehicle (do I have to mention, NOT between the two vehicles?).