What equipment to take offroad?

[Tom]

Yesterday the Brewers and Thomases were on an offroad trip when they discovered someone in a 2WD truck stuck in soft sand on the trail. Fortunately, they had a tow strap and were able to tow the folks out, although it took an hour.

A few weeks ago, while in the visitor center at Capitol Reef NP, I spoke to a couple who had rented a Jeep and went exploring an off-road trail. They got stuck and proceeded to walk in search of help. After a couple of hours, they realized they were walking further into the boonies and walked back to the Jeep. They slept overnight in the Jeep and walked the 8 miles back to the visitor center in the morning. Chris Pennings offered to go tow them out, but they had just called a tow truck.

I'm sure there are many more stories like these, but thought I'd ask what additional equipment folks feel is necessary when exploring the offroad/4WD trails, besides obviuously a 4WD vehicle.

[Ned]

Never go offroad alone if there is any chance of getting stuck or breaking down far from help.  You can't count on other vehicles coming along to help you. 

After our trip through Canyon de Chelly, we will be getting a tow strap and pins to secure it to our tow bar brackets. 

A GPS is, of course, an invaluable aid to finding your way. 

A full size spare tire is a must.

[Ron]

First thing when going off road I recommend having at least one person with you with a with a 4WD vehicle with you and your 4WD vehicle.  Now when I was much younger I would venture out with only the 4WD vehicle I was driving and yes 4WD can and do get stuck.  I have dug myself out many times but now I don't go out without at least one other 4WD vehicle with me.

Always carry a tow strap and shovel.  Hard to get pulled out or pull somebody else out without something to tow with.

Other things are plenty of drinking water, food or snacks, first aid kit, and common sense.   When you see somebody off roading alone with only one 4WD vehcile INHO they forgot the last thing I mentioned.

[Marc L]

Actually, you don't want a tow strap, but a recovery strap.  A two strap is meant to tow a vehicle that is not stuck.  A recovery strap is meant to recover a vehicle that is stuck.  The recovery straps can stretch, so when you start pulling and pick up the slack, the strap will stretch and when it retracts again will give extra momentum for the recovery.

Preferably get straps that don't have hooks, a flying hook can break a window or a head.  The recovery points on the both the recovery and stuck vehicle as well as any pins or shackles used should be stronger than the strap to avoid damage to either vehicle.

Here's a good offroad checklist: http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Offroaders_Checklist.htm  It's a bit too complete, but can be adjusted depending on the location and duration of the trip.

[Ned]

Marc,

Good point on the recovery strap.  That's actually what I had in mind, I just didn't know it had a special name.  It won't have hooks, just the sewn loops on the ends.

[PancakeBill]

Back in RI we were getting ready to get the beach permit.  They had a list of items to carry.  Included were 2 2x2 pieces of ply to support a jack or 2.  Shovel, communications equipment.  CB or cell phone or ham.  Shovel.  Recovery strap, first aid etc. 

Air pump to re-air your tires. 

Had the 4wd, much of the stuff, then plans changed.  Not sure about beach camping here yet, but we will be ready.

[Lowell]

Its a good idea to tell someone where you are planning to go offload so that if you get broken down, someone has an idea on where to start looking.  A good thing to carry in the offload vehicle is a Gazetteer or better yet, a typo map.  If  you do break down, you can use your Gazetteer or typo map , along with you GPS to figure which way to go for help. 

[Bob Buchanan]

I have dug myself out many times but now I don't go out without at least one other 4WD vehicle with me.

Having only been on a few off roads with forum members, I would add the word "experienced" to your suggestion. I recall your riding with me to the post office on a busy day at QZ a few years back -- and showing me how to get out of the wash and up that steep sandy bank North of Main Street and the Post Office. If I was with another with as little knowledge as myself, I would probably have been in worse shape than if alone. Synergism amoung the unknowledgeable could multiply the degree of bad decisions.

[Marc L]

Marc,

Good point on the recovery strap.  That's actually what I had in mind, I just didn't know it had a special name.  It won't have hooks, just the sewn loops on the ends.

A lot of people use the name interchangeably including myself, but it's good to differentiate them when buying them.

[ArdraF]

We keep a plastic box in the back of the toad full of emergency "stuff."  First aid supplies, those tiny emergency blankets made of mylar (?), a shovel, a sheet in case you need to dig a latrine and want to rig it for privacy, toilet paper, a reflector for signaling (an old CD does nicely or a mirror), multipurpose knife, compass, extra food including SPAM, shovel, matches, flashlights w/extra batteries, trash bag, water purification kit, towels, tow/recovery strap, basic tools, etc.  Then, of course, there's the regular stuff like food, water, and GPS.  There's probably more I don't remember.  Always make sure you have identification on your person in case the worst happens.  Guess you can tell I was a Girl Scout. 

The reason we passed on the hike at the South Paria Canyon was because of the deep sand road going in to it.  No cell service out there so definitely not worth it.

ArdraF

[Kenneth]

If off-roading alot, get a winch installed, its helped me out of most of our mishaps 

[Ron]

In my younger years I had 4WD with winches.  I finally realized that winches tend to get one in deeper in trouble making it harder to get out.   Better to have other vehicles with you so you can help each other if necessary.

[IslandHopper]

... yes 4WD can and do get stuck...

It's been said that 4WD simply allows a person to get stuck harder, deeper, and further from the nearest road

I take plenty of water (a few days worth), and don't go more than a few miles from a road unless there's more than one 4x4 going.
Off-road I also bring a shotgun... not so much for protection, but as a source of food... it doesn't bother me to be away from civilization for days at a time.

That recovery strap wrapped around an axle can become a winch in an emergency...

A can of lighter fluid (and a match/lighter) can re-set a tire bead when necessary... the tire may still be flat, but having the bead seated makes it useable...

If it gets really bad, a couple car batteries and some jumper cables can become a welder (you'll need to have brought rods, of course)...

[Tom]

Actually, you don't want a tow strap, but a recovery strap.

I seem to recall them being called "snatch 'em" straps. A friend who used to park his coach on the beach would need the strap to get the coach out at the end of a stay. He hooked one end to his coach and the other end to his Jeep, with lots of strap laying on the ground between the two vehicles. He'd floor it in his Jeep and, when it came to the end of the strap, the Jeep promptly stopped and the coach inched out of the sand. He'd repeat the process until his coach was on firm enough sand for him to be able to drive it off.

[Daisy]

Actually, that's the third vehicle in two weeks we've found in trouble, such as Tom described.   Though this couple got the o.k. from the ranger that they'd have no trouble on this trail, we're thinking the ranger was talking about getting over the river, which was only 12-13 inches deep.  What he either didn't know about, or forgot, was the mile or more soft sand beyond the river.  These folks were Canadians, not youngsters, and were trying to dig themselves out when we came upon them.   (At least they had a shovel, but not much use in loose sand) Not only did he not have the proper vehicle, but also not the deep treaded tires to give traction.  He had the treads so packed with sand, it was like he had bald tires on the two-wheel drive wheels.  Absolutely useless for gripping.  They were going to track down that ranger and have a few words with him.

Another vehicle was a rented class C with a goiod sized overhang and carried about 4-5 VERY good sized men, two tiny kids and two women.  They were on a dirt road in Valley of the Gods a short drive from Monument Valley/Mexican Hat.  Only one of these men spoke English, the rest sounded like an Eastern European language.  They bottomed out on a fairly good sized dip and got stuck.  A pick-up came from the opposite side we were traveling and had stopped to help first, before we came upon them.  They only had a bumper jack and were trying to build the dip up under the tire enough for the tire to grip something.  While we were there, that jack slipped out and we thought the back had come down across one of those fellows legs, since he slipped towards the coach at the same time.  Somehow he was limber enough to fold his legs under him (I think) and therefore only suffered a sore arm from the jack handle bucking....  It was a real scary moment, but they soon had that rig out on the road again. 

These people really should not have been on that road with a rig that size and I'm thinking they are not being properly instructed or warned by the rental companies, or they just plain did not understand what was being said to them.  Since they were heading in our direction, we were hoping they found a place to turn around, because that road only got worse for a short while and would have been quite rough for a rig that size.

The third vehicle has already been discussed somewhere in this forum, and I do not wish to embarass the forumites again, by bringing it up...... 

Daisy

[Tom]

Only one of these men spoke English, the rest sounded like an Eastern European language.  ... I'm thinking they are not being properly instructed or warned by the rental companies, or they just plain did not understand what was being said to them.

Daisy, over the years of meeting folks in campgrounds, I've got the impression that a lot of renters are European. A couple of years ago I wandered into an El Monte rental center (in California) and, to my surprise, saw a number of brochures in German. It made me think that they specifically target the German tourist market. But it left me wondering about other countries/languages and also what other rental companies do to bridge the language barrier.

[Tom]

If I had a rescue strap and needed to tow someone out, what would be ideal attachment points for the strap on our Suburban and the towed vehicle? (I removed the tow hooks on the front of the Burb in order to attach the baseplate for towing behind the coach).

[Ned]

Use the tow bar attachments points.  That's what we used when we were the 3rd vehicle mentioned above   The towing vehicle could use the hitch mount, either a ball if available, or through the safety cable attachments, I would think.

[Marc L]

I have heard  of hitch balls snapping, especially if only rated at 5000lbs.  It all depends how stuck the vehicle is.  What I do is that I remove the hitch from the receiver, then slide the loop in the receiver and put the hitch pin through it.  That way, it is secure and won't come off when moving with no tension on the strap.

I don't think I would trust the chain loops, at least not on my hitch.

Some vehicles have tabs with holes underneat, those are not meant to be used as recovery points, they are just tie downs for when travelling on a flat bed.  I know some people that used them successfully for a recovery and others that tore them off.  It all depends how stuck the vehicle is and how much force is required to pull it out.  Sometimes in low traction situation, you just need that little extra to get out and other times are deep in mud resting on the frame.  The latter would require greater force to get out.

[Betty Brewer]

If I had a rescue strap and needed to tow someone out, what would be ideal attachment points for the strap on our Suburban and the towed vehicle?

Tom,

We used the tow bar attachment in front to hook up the strap.  Worked well.  The next thing to do is to communicate clearly with the person you are towing.  As the pick up truck was stuck in the  road in front of us with no place to pass, we had to pull him backwards.  On first attempt, Terry just spun our wheels down into the sand and the pick up did not budge.... Seems he had placed his truck in PARK!  duhhh

Betty

[caltex]

Does Lion's Back at Moab qualify as "off road"? You might need more than a snatch strap if you miscalculate there. Tom Jones showed me the pictures of a jeep going up and coming down. After seeing the pictures I wanted to see that activity in person. I was disappointed to find the area fenced with no trespassing signs.  A local said that they were going to put put condos there.

I assume that Al Griefer, who had taken the pictures, bought his baby hummer to take up Lion's Back. Sorry Al, you're too late.

[Carl L]

Daisy, over the years of meeting folks in campgrounds, I've got the impression that a lot of renters are European. A couple of years ago I wandered into an El Monte rental center (in California) and, to my surprise, saw a number of brochures in German. It made me think that they specifically target the German tourist market. But it left me wondering about other countries/languages and also what other rental companies do to bridge the language barrier.

Yew betcha.   I live in LA.  When I rented my first RV from El Monte Rents at their home yard in South El Monte.   I walked into their office their and the clerk immediately addressed me in German.  After that confusion was settled out, some real Germans, a family, walked in.   THey had been picked up at LAX by an El Monte courtesy van and driven across LA, not an inconsiderable trip, to the office where they were renting a monster Class A for a month or so.   With my little 29' TT, I felt definitely downscale.

El Monte has agents all over western Europe and the UK.  Even Glasgow fer cornsakes.   

Carl L

[Ron]

In the 70/s when the job had us in North Dakota we lived in a farm house South of Langdon.  During the winter the driveway would sometimes be blown full of snow.  Now I couldn't say I was snow bound until I had the truck stuck trying to get out.  Most of the time I was able to make it.  On one occasion I got buried up to the point that I had to climb out the window as the snow was half way up the door.  My neighbor came over in his brand new Blazer to pull me out.  Hooked up the nylon rope and he proceeded to give me a yank.. Whoops the tow hook on the Blazer was coming my direction and I ducked.  Inspection revealed that his tow hook hadn't broken but the frame where the tow hook was attached had broken out.  Kind of scary seeing the rope and tow hook coming my way.  Only damage done was the tow hook flew over the Jeep PU but the nylon rope hit the mirror on the passenger side and broke that.  The dealer fixed the blazer at no cost to my neighbor.  I have a very high respect for a stretched nylon rope.

[Karl]

If I had a rescue strap and needed to tow someone out, what would be ideal attachment points for the strap on our Suburban and the towed vehicle? (I removed the tow hooks on the front of the Burb in order to attach the baseplate for towing behind the coach).

On the towing vehicle - at towbar on front or receiver on rear; if no receiver, wrap it around the axle carrier near the differential. On the stuck vehicle - if from the front, at the towbar if equipped, or around one of the the lower A-arms (whichever side is on the same side as the strap of the towing vehicle); if from the rear, at the hitch receiver if equipped or around the axle carrier near the differential. Front wheel drive cars won't have a diff. in the back, so anywhere near either wheel is better than the center; it's stronger at the wheel. Holds true for the towing vehicle too.

[Lowell]

I recall seeing instructions for towing someone out of a stuck situation that suggested thowing an old jacket or clothing over the tow strap about mid span.  The theory was that if one end of the tow strap came loose, the jacket on the tow strap would retard the free end.  I don't know if it works but it sounds plausible.

[Barb]

Another item to add to the list, is a trail book.  They are fill with very useful information.  Like trail etiquette, critters along the way, things to see, and general off road driving tips.  Like driving over large rocks, when to air up or down, and driving up steep hills.  It is also important to know what your vehicle and you are capable of doing.  Or willing to do.

We also have found a pair of rubber auto mats to very useful.  We have pulled out many snow stuck vehicles, which could not get tractions.  Place under a tire.  We got our own burb unstuck this way. 

[KodiakRV]

...  Kind of scary seeing the rope and tow hook coming my way.  ....  I have a very high respect for a stretched nylon rope.

I spent two weeks on a tug boat in the Navy Reserve many years ago.  I can remember the water pouring out of the big ropes like wringing a washcloth when we backed-down on large ships like a tanker or aircraft carrier.  The tug captain would order everyone off the decks topside.  They told stories of decks wiped clean and men getting cut in half when the ropes would break...

[Marc L]

On the towing vehicle - at towbar on front or receiver on rear; if no receiver, wrap it around the axle carrier near the differential. On the stuck vehicle - if from the front, at the towbar if equipped, or around one of the the lower A-arms (whichever side is on the same side as the strap of the towing vehicle); if from the rear, at the hitch receiver if equipped or around the axle carrier near the differential. Front wheel drive cars won't have a diff. in the back, so anywhere near either wheel is better than the center; it's stronger at the wheel. Holds true for the towing vehicle too.

I would never do that to any of the vehicle I own.  Heard too many stories of broken suspension parts after a recovery of that sort.  I heard successful stories too, but no thanks.  I only use the frame and recovery points bolted to the frame like hitch and tow hooks.

For towing it's not so bad because it's only rolling resistance, but for recovery depending what obstacle the stuck vehicle has to go through, the stress put on the axle and suspension components could be stronger than they can handle.

[Karl]

I would never do that to any of the vehicle I own.  Heard too many stories of broken suspension parts after a recovery of that sort.

Over the years, we've used that technique at Road America literally thousands of times without a problem or damage of any sort. Short of the frame, the differential and A-arms are the strongest points on a vehicle, and it's nearly impossible to attach to the frame if there aren't attachment points already in place. Granted, leaving slack in the tow strap and gunning it as was mentioned, is something we would NEVER do. Slow and steady gets the job done. 

[Marc L]

I am not big on slamming either.  Try slow first, if that fails, then consider other options.  If all else fails and we really have to get out, then go for it.

[Ron]

Granted, leaving slack in the tow strap and gunning it as was mentioned, is something we would NEVER do. Slow and steady gets the job done. 

I have used the technic of useing energy built up in a proper nylon rope on several occasions to yank rigs out of snow drifts and mud.  If used properly and with the proper type nylon rope damage is not likely to occur.  The use of hooks on the ends of a nylon tow rope is not considered a wise thing to do.  As Ned mentioned placing a nylon loop in the tow reciever and using the pin to secure it is a good practice.

The tow hook that was released from a Blazer I mentioned earlier  was the result of a crack in the frame possibly there since manufacture.  That is why the fix was covered by ther dealer.

[taoshum]

It's been said that 4WD simply allows a person to get stuck harder, deeper, and further from the nearest road

I take plenty of water (a few days worth), and don't go more than a few miles from a road unless there's more than one 4x4 going.
Off-road I also bring a shotgun... not so much for protection, but as a source of food... it doesn't bother me to be away from civilization for days at a time.

That recovery strap wrapped around an axle can become a winch in an emergency...

A can of lighter fluid (and a match/lighter) can re-set a tire bead when necessary... the tire may still be flat, but having the bead seated makes it useable...

If it gets really bad, a couple car batteries and some jumper cables can become a welder (you'll need to have brought rods, of course)...

welding with batteries and jumper cables!!!  I'm putting some rods in the jeep tonight.  I love it.

[Gizmo]

Actually, you don't want a tow strap, but a recovery strap.  A two strap is meant to tow a vehicle that is not stuck.  A recovery strap is meant to recover a vehicle that is stuck.  The recovery straps can stretch, so when you start pulling and pick up the slack, the strap will stretch and when it retracts again will give extra momentum for the recovery.

Preferably get straps that don't have hooks, a flying hook can break a window or a head.  The recovery points on the both the recovery and stuck vehicle as well as any pins or shackles used should be stronger than the strap to avoid damage to either vehicle.

Here's a good offroad checklist: http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Offroaders_Checklist.htm  It's a bit too complete, but can be adjusted depending on the location and duration of the trip.

Good catch in addition to what you said, recovery straps are typically at least 30' in length which usually allows the towing vehicle to stay out of the mess the stuck vehicle is in.  In a tow strap you want a 20' length to prevent other drivers not paying attention from cutting in between the 2-vehicles.