Offroad Recovery Equipment - What do you carry?

[el_barto]

Curious to see what offroad recovery equipment you guys carry in your truck, and how you keep it organized!

I probably carry a bit more than most, a I’m part of an offroad recovery organization.


Currently Loose…Awaiting Icky Concepts Mounting Panel:
1x Flathead Transfer Shovel
1x HiLift Jack (60”)
3x Traction Boards

In A Large Roller Duffel Bag:
1x HiLift Wheel Attachment
2x Soft Shackles
4x 3/4” Screw Pin Bow Shackles
2x 7/8” Screw Pin Bow Shackles
2x 10ft Tree Strap
1x 3ft Shorty Strap
1x Pulley Block
1x X-Lock
2x Cluster Hooks
1x 20ft Kinetic Rope
1x 70ft Winch Line Extension
1x Winch Rope Chafe Sleeve

In Their Own Bags <Winter Season>:
1 Pair V-Bar Ladder Tire Chains
1 Pair Cable-Type Tire Chains

It used to pretty much all fit in the tool-box under my Diamondback cover, but when I sold that and got a camper-topper I had to figure out a new solution. The majority fits in the blue roller duffel (which was actually others going to be trashed due to the lower zipper being destroyed), keeps it organized and easy to move around (stand it up to save space, closer to the tailgate for quick access, or remove from truck bed entirely.)

 

[mcarey]

I picked up the smittybuilt kit. Keep it all under one of the back seats. Also keep a jump pack in the truck too.

I do want to put together a decent little toolkit for trips, but I've yet to tackle that.

 

[jetrinka]

My Ramboxes are full of tools. Recovery specific stuff includes

-Tree strap
-Regular tow strap
-Kinetic strap
-2 Snatch blocks
-4 large shackles
-2 soft shackles
-Viair 450 RV compressor kit
-Shovel
-Tire repair stuff

Other general tools/equipment

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

In my ram I carry heavier duty recover equipment than I do in the Toyota. Both vehicles have recovery kits that stay in them full time which are similarly equipped except the load ratings.

Both rigs have:
Winch line extension/ utility rope
Assorted Shackles (soft and D-ring)
2” receiver > D ring shackle adapter w/pin
Tree straps
Snatch blocks (Toyota has 2x Ram has 1x)
Shackle style D ring recovery points
Snatch straps
Warn Winch

2” receiver shackle adapters are super handy when somebody has zero recovery points (new 2wd Chevy comes to mind) I keep the 2.5>2” sleeve around the one that’s in the ram. Without one, In a pinch, I’ll put the loop end of a strap/rope into the receiver and stick the hitch pin in it to lock it in.

Never underestimate the power of multiple snatch blocks, but remember the anchor point makes a big difference in how it works. A redirect does not have the doubling effect like anchoring back to your rig does. This guy explains some snatch block myths best.

 

[el_barto]

Never underestimate the power of multiple snatch blocks, but remember the anchor point makes a big difference in how it works. A redirect does not have the doubling effect like anchoring back to your rig does. This guy explains some snatch block myths best.

Yes but also must be cautious with the Power of pulley blocks. Put a pulley block on a single shackle on a bumper, with a 12k winch, that’s 24,000lbs pulling on that one side of the bumper. It’s possible to tweak the frame of the stick vehicle, and Is that recovery point/bumper even able to withstand that much force?

 

[Fishnerd]

In my ram I carry heavier duty recover equipment than I do in the Toyota. Both vehicles have recovery kits that stay in them full time which are similarly equipped except the load ratings.

Both rigs have:
Winch line extension/ utility rope
Assorted Shackles (soft and D-ring)
2” receiver > D ring shackle adapter w/pin
Tree straps
Snatch blocks (Toyota has 2x Ram has 1x)
Shackle style D ring recovery points
Snatch straps
Warn Winch

2” receiver shackle adapters are super handy when somebody has zero recovery points (new 2wd Chevy comes to mind) I keep the 2.5>2” sleeve around the one that’s in the ram. Without one, In a pinch, I’ll put the loop end of a strap/rope into the receiver and stick the hitch pin in it to lock it in.

Never underestimate the power of multiple snatch blocks, but remember the anchor point makes a big difference in how it works. A redirect does not have the doubling effect like anchoring back to your rig does. This guy explains some snatch block myths best.

What are your thoughts on pulley rings? I have a couple of snatch blocks but they are pretty heavy. Was considering them to shave a few pounds from the recovery bag.

 

[el_barto]

What are your thoughts on pulley rings? I have a couple of snatch blocks but they are pretty heavy. Was considering them to shave a few pounds from the recovery bag.

Since there is no captive mechanism, if the line goes slack, the rope can fall off the ring, and then the “pulley” will be the soft shackle….at least until they cut into each other and they fail.

I dislike the concept of the rings in general, they work by the rope sliding directly (friction) on the ring vs a bearing doing the moving. Heat and friction are the enemies of synthetic rope.

I have this TRE pulley. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s much lighter than a steel one, and has nice radiuses so it’s compatible with soft shackles.

Snatch Block - Heavy Duty Light-Weight Aluminum | Tactical Recovery Equipment

Snatch Block - Heavy Duty Light-Weight Aluminum. Lightest Snatch Block for Synthetic Winch Rope up to 7/16". Off Road Use Only.

www.tacticalrecoveryequipment.com

 

[el_barto]

I will also note i hate how most offroad pulleys are rated. With a 12k winch, IMO the pulley must have a WLL of at least 24,000lb, since that’s how much force it could see if your winch was at full tilt. Many pulleys are listed as “20,000lb WLL” (which isn’t enough) or something not-legit like “Good to 25,000lbs”…is that the WLL? The breaking strength? A number you pulled out of your ass?
Also, WLL is pointless to me without also knowing the minimum breaking strength. Theoretically you could assign a saFety factor of 1, and your WLL= breaking strength…

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Yes but also must be cautious with the Power of pulley blocks. Put a pulley block on a single shackle on a bumper, with a 12k winch, that’s 24,000lbs pulling on that one side of the bumper. It’s possible to tweak the frame of the stick vehicle, and Is that recovery point/bumper even able to withstand that much force?

You don’t double the winch strength, you half the effort which effectively doubles the pulling power.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

What are your thoughts on pulley rings? I have a couple of snatch blocks but they are pretty heavy. Was considering them to shave a few pounds from the recovery bag.

I’ve seen them, but haven’t been compelled to try them. To shave weight, you can swap a few D ring shackles for soft shackles they weight almost nothing.

 

[el_barto]

You don’t double the winch strength, you half the effort which effectively doubles the pulling power.

Correct, the force on the opposite end of the pulley =2x what the winch is doing. If the winch is exerting 10,000lbs of force, the pulley (and everything behind it) is seeing 20,000lbs.

 

[Fishnerd]

Tha

Since there is no captive mechanism, if the line goes slack, the rope can fall off the ring, and then the “pulley” will be the soft shackle….at least until they cut into each other and they fail.

I dislike the concept of the rings in general, they work by the rope sliding directly (friction) on the ring vs a bearing doing the moving. Heat and friction are the enemies of synthetic rope.

I have this TRE pulley. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s much lighter than a steel one, and has nice radiuses so it’s compatible with soft shackles.

Snatch Block - Heavy Duty Light-Weight Aluminum | Tactical Recovery Equipment

Snatch Block - Heavy Duty Light-Weight Aluminum. Lightest Snatch Block for Synthetic Winch Rope up to 7/16". Off Road Use Only.

www.tacticalrecoveryequipment.com

Thanks for the suggestion! I that looks awesome, the ones i have are the arb ones if i were to guess they are double the weight of the TRE

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Correct, the force on the opposite end of the pulley =2x what the winch is doing. If the winch is exerting 10,000lbs of force, the pulley (and everything behind it) is seeing 20,000lbs.

No, not really, I don’t think. If you run a line out to a snatch block, and back to the rig and we use your numbers of 10,000lb pulling force; the force is doubled to 20,000lb but it’s 10,000lb on each length of the rope, that’s the point of doubling the rope.

So that 20,000lb is divided by 2 meaning the load is still 10,000lb on each connection point. One end is coming from the winch itself and the other end being secured to a shackle or something.

Kind of like two of the same cars hitting head on at 50mph each isn’t a 100mph collision. The force is double but it is also divided by two and spread evenly between the two.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I guess you could say at that point that the bumper is seeing 2x winch force. So I apologize for arguing semantics but it’s Important to understand how the force is being applied to the load and the anchor and the line

your rope better break or your winch better hit thermal before your bumper lets loose. I don’t think any of the hard parts have a lower WLL than the soft parts, so I don’t think that’s really an issue.

I think we can all agree that winching can be very dangerous and you should always use lots of caution and if the rig isn’t moving don’t stay on the button. Maybe rethink and reset

 

[el_barto]

No, not really, I don’t think. If you run a line out to a snatch block, and back to the rig and we use your numbers of 10,000lb pulling force; the force is doubled to 20,000lb but it’s 10,000lb on each length of the rope, that’s the point of doubling the rope.

So that 20,000lb is divided by 2 meaning the load is still 10,000lb on each connection point. One end is coming from the winch itself and the other end being secured to a shackle or something.

Kind of like two of the same cars hitting head on at 50mph each isn’t a 100mph collision. The force is double but it is also divided by two and spread evenly between the two.

I think we’re saying the same thing…
Orange truck recovering Green truck with 2:1. Winch on orange truck is pulling 10k, pulley block and everything downstream (shackle, Recovery point/bumper, etc) see 20k.

 

[el_barto]

I guess you could say at that point that the bumper is seeing 2x winch force. So I apologize for arguing semantics but it’s Important to understand how the force is being applied to the load and the anchor and the line

your rope better break or your winch better hit thermal before your bumper lets loose. I don’t think any of the hard parts have a lower WLL than the soft parts, so I don’t think that’s really an issue.

I think we can all agree that winching can be very dangerous and you should always use lots of caution and if the rig isn’t moving don’t stay on the button. Maybe rethink and reset

Yes, the winch should be the fuse (ie, winch itself runs out of pulling power before anything else fails)

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

These totes lives in the ram. I forgot to mention I keep climbing rope as well. The 1” shackle makes the 3/4” shackles look like toys but the AEV bumper will not accept 3/4” for safety purposes


This smaller kit is in the Toyota, it’s part of a locking stackable tool box. Soft shackles are in the glovebox. I use bright red (ugly ass) shackles in this kit so I’m less likely to lose them.

 

[el_barto]

7/8” (1” pin) shackles fit nicely on the AEV rear bumper…I would assume they are the same size as the AEV front bumper recovery points?


7/8” is a Good balance between 3/4” and 1”. I have a 1” but I’ve chosen to keep it at home…too big and heavy.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

7/8” (1” pin) shackles fit nicely on the AEV rear bumper…I would assume they are the same size as the AEV front bumper recovery points?
View attachment 24136

Good balance between 3/4” and 1”. I have a 1” but I’ve chosen to keep it at home…too big and heavy.
View attachment 24137

I would assume it’s the same size recovery point. That’s good to know. I didn’t try a 7/8”. I picked up the 1” straight from AEV

 

[Crusty old shellback]

I picked up a smitty built winch accessory kit. Straps, tree strap, shackles, pulley. Looking to get a receiver shackle set up for the rear.