Alright, I have some quick questions that have been bothering me all day long, so here goes.

When pulling a stuck car/farm equipment, and 4 wheel drive is needed, was are the best ways of successfully pulling the vehicle, withou twisting or breaking something?
Also, is it really that easy to twist a driveline part or break something in the driveline system?
Also, is it better to pull in 4-Lo or 4-High? I know that power is factored in deciding which one to choose.
Thanks for any advice/suggestions!
Wheelo

Hook it up to something on the vehicle that can handle a strong pull without bending or breaking; take up the slack, then pull it smooothly.... no jerking it.

Put it in 1st, you will be able to tell if you need 2Hi, 4Hi or 4Lo pretty quick (depends on where the other vehicle is stuck and your traction).

You won't have any trouble with twisting the driveline, you're sig says you have an auto. If what you are pulling is really stuck or you have limited traction a tug-em nylon strap works wonders. No violent jerk and no damage, but a lot of force if you are moving when it gets tight. Chains are OK if you are very careful and don't need much initial force to get the stuck vehicle moving, or if you're towing with a heavy machine like a buldozer or tractor. Never jerk with a chain. The strap is better if the towing vehicle is lighter than the stuck one or if you just want to move someone who is broken down on the road. I never go on a trip without my strap.

Wetspirit

Hook it up to something on the vehicle that can handle a strong pull without bending or breaking; take up the slack, then pull it smooothly.... no jerking it.

Put it in 1st, you will be able to tell if you need 2Hi, 4Hi or 4Lo pretty quick (depends on where the other vehicle is stuck and your traction).


exactly what i do...

if i see that method dont work, then i give a couple of good yanks if i can do so... I have yanked a couple of vehicles in differrent angles just to loosen them from the mud they were in and once i did that, they came out much easier...


Rick

Slow and steady

My freind buried his Ramchager to the rockers just of of a dirt road in somedirtly clay. Well that wasn't so bad, but he put it in park (in 4Lo) with the whell cut sideways, and accedantly let his door get shut behind him. YES is was locked.

I got him out by just putting my tuck in 4Lo, and with No slack in the strap started to just "blap" the throttle in a rocking motion until the ram charger started to just barely move. At that point, I easied into it again and stayed on it making sure not to break traction.

For him being the idiot that he was, i proceeded to drag his truck down the road until I broke one of his automatic locking hubs (his parents wouldn't let him get new one because there "wasn't anythin wrong with his)

Caution: about 2-3 weeks later my flexplate "flexed" into 10 pieces.

Receiver hitches make the best tow point.

I always try to do it easy first. Then get progressivly harder. I pulled a haf ton chevy that was pasted into the mud. I was in some power and it took a couple of solid jerk to get him out. It finally broke the suction in third-low about 2200RPM with some good slack in the strap. Of course I would never do that with anything but a strap. And one that is rated very high.

Randy

Thanks for everyones advice on here!
I dont really have all that much experience at retrieving stuck vehicles, But I now know some tips. Thanks,
Wheelo

when hooking to the stuck vehicle,hook to the off side of it,not the near side....say its stuck in the ditch on the passenger side of his truck,youre going to pull forward,hook to his passenger side front,not drivers side front...this really helps more than you think.................bama

What works when you cant get traction to pull someone?

I tried to help someone stuck yesterday in the mud. They high centered a 4x4 Chevy truck. I got behind their truck on dry ground, but couldn't get enough traction to move them. I could jerk because all they had was a 1/4" or 3/16" chain and I knew it would break with much of a jerk.

What works when you cant get traction to pull someone?

I tried to help someone stuck yesterday in the mud. They high centered a 4x4 Chevy truck. I got behind their truck on dry ground, but couldn't get enough traction to move them. I could jerk because all they had was a 1/4" or 3/16" chain and I knew it would break with much of a jerk.

You tell them no thanks, you won't be pulling them out at this time.

If you don't have a 30K+ strap, you don't even try.


phox

here is a secret a old man taught me. If the vehical stuck is up to the frame rails and you pulling point on your vehical is higher then his all you are doing when pulling on him is trying to push the ground in front or behind him out of the way. Makes getting traction very hard. put the largest aired up tire you can get your hands on verticly underneath the chain or stap to where as the chain or strap is running on the tire. This way you are pulling the stuck vehical up and out of the ground

here is a secret a old man taught me. If the vehical stuck is up to the frame rails and you pulling point on your vehical is higher then his all you are doing when pulling on him is trying to push the ground in front or behind him out of the way. Makes getting traction very hard. put the largest aired up tire you can get your hands on verticly underneath the chain or stap to where as the chain or strap is running on the tire. This way you are pulling the stuck vehical up and out of the ground


That is good advice...

when hooking to the stuck vehicle,hook to the off side of it,not the near side....say its stuck in the ditch on the passenger side of his truck,youre going to pull forward,hook to his passenger side front,not drivers side front...this really helps more than you think.................bama

This is the best way I've ever seen to roll a truck, ALWAYS hook the high side. This "help" isn't worth the risk. Of course this all depends on the terrain. It's just my .02. Former 3536 wrecker operator USMC.

Im not sure why anything would twist or break unless you are backing up slamming the gas and jerking it out. As a tip, the lower you can hook the stuck vehicle and the higher you can hook it to the pulling vehicle the laws of gravity will work with you

That is good advice...

yeah good advice

Try not to pull in reverse. It's weaker.

OR YOU COULD MAKE YA ONE OF THESE'S

\http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/cumminstrukin/tommysbroncooutatCNR.jpg

OR YOU COULD MAKE YA ONE OF THESE'S

\http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/cumminstrukin/tommysbroncooutatCNR.jpg

[nonono] NO BODY LIKES MY IDEA:(

The tire trick works great if you are pulling out fence posts and dont have a tractor or backhoe.

OR YOU COULD MAKE YA ONE OF THESE'S

\http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/cumminstrukin/tommysbroncooutatCNR.jpg


looks like a ford. i dont know how reliable it would be

LanceD had a great safety tip I read a while back. On his truck he has a bed mount tool box, and the lid opens towards the back windshield. Whenever he pulls someone, he would open the toolbox, and have the person he was pulling open their hood. In case the strap broke it won't come through either windshield and hurt someone.

Found it :

I only use straps and when im tuggin something stuck good I usually open my toolbox lid to keep anything from flying through my window. and I also have the stuck guy open his hood. it may leave a funny looking dent, but at least its not in your face. I got a 6 inch 60k strap from tractor supply and a 2 inch diameter nylon rope that works wonders, I tugged a huge RV with its bumper sitting on sand and the axle buried and it came out easy.

IT IS PRETTY reliable to bad i put a nice crack all the way around the transfercase ( tryed to pull a pjoke out when he was framed and he had either 39.5 or 40s boggers )

Here is what I have learned in my years of playing in the mud.

1. Only a diesel can pull out a diesel. Dont waste ur time trying to pull it out with a gas truck.

2. Only use a chain if u dont have to take a run at it and have good traction.

3. Havn't tried this but I heard if u stick a coat on the middle of the chain/rope and it breaks, the coat will keep the chain from coming up.

4. It is best to use a big(1"+) nylon strech rope and start trying to pull with no slack and if that dont work back up in 5' and try again and so on.

5. If u are playing in anytype of mud u might aswell go get a winch right now or have a buddy that has one. This saves alot of damage.

6. If u are pulling someone else out give them the roap to hook up to their vehicle. Cause if u hook it up wrong and tear something off it is their fault cause they hook it up.

7. I found it was best to use to stick a big shackle on the trailer reciever and hook the rope/chain to that.

8. Roll up all windows cause it's gonna get messy and it alot easier to clean the next morning.

9. Have 1 buddy stand back and video tape so u remember how u got ur truck dirty, or how bad u or buddy was stuck.

10. Have beer in hand when pulling cause it will spill if in the cup holder.

11. Have a set of rubber boots in the dry box, cause wet/muddy feet really suck.

12. The person getting pulled out must eather pay in cash or alcohol. Half before and half when pulled out.

I'll add to the list when I think of more.

Coat, blanket, tarp will take the energy out of the chain/winch cable/tow strap,if it breaks.

Use the BIGGEST ford rope you can find , mine is rated at 90 000 lbs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tRlwmLkXI

Here is what I have learned in my years of playing in the mud.

1. Only a diesel can pull out a diesel. Dont waste ur time trying to pull it out with a gas truck.



You're positive about that one?[nonono]
My Z71 used to pull out diesel's all the time. (besides all the other idiots)

If the vehicle you have is set up correctly, and you use a strap, with a fair amount of traction, anything will come out. Obviously you can't pull a D10 out with a motorcycle, but you get my point. I used to have an 82 Toyota pickup that was set up for the rocks. It was a long bed with a lift and 4:88's and blah, blah, blah. I could pull out full sizes all day long with that and my 30K strap. Those straps are really the way to go for yanking someone out. You really don't even have to be that gentle with em either. I have really put some serious yanks on folks before. They always came out with no damage from me or my strap.

I've been pulled out by a gasser too.

Anyway, another all around tip is to avoid getting mud and grit in your strap and if you do clean it when finished. When it dries in there it substantially weakens it and will cause it to rot quickly. I read that in a magazine a long time ago.

where do you get a strap like that

I got a 15K strap at Academy I think, something like 20 ft long. Used it plenty and try to keep it clean and off the ground as much as possible.

Or something like this my friend showed me off an F150 site:

Nice truck eh?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_02912.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_03012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_03042.jpg

A little stuck....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_03642.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_03812.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_03992.jpg

Opps...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_04082.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_04152.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_04472.jpg

Escovators running after daylight is never a good sign.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_04532.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/lunati397/img_04712.jpg

Boy, that is bad on so many different levels. Any Diesel powered pickup, in a 3/4 ton chassis or bigger, just isn't the right rig to try and mud with unless you have done a BUNCH of work and put even more money into. Sure, we have gobs of power, but our trucks are so freakin heavy. Man, that guy had no business being there with that tank of a truck. Anyway, you can get heavy duty straps, like the ones we have been talking about at most any 4WD shop around. If you don't have one close to you, check out
http://www.4wheelparts.com/.

They'll have anything and everything you're looking for.

man that guy with the ford is a retard. buy a strap off ebay. 4 wheel parts is a joke. ive had my trk in the mud one time, never again. I had a trailer behind me also to turn around in a field not to play. it was in 4high on the floor and barely moving

Just to add about the right vehicle/equipment argument. I watched a buddy get pulled out by a JEEP in his diesel excursion with lockers, chip, blah blah blah. He had half his rear end a canal and the front of his truck was barley tracking on some sand. The jeep pulls up, hooks up his winch, digs himself down and into a hole and winched the excursion right out. This was after several vehicles tried to yank the excursion out. I gained a little respect for jeeps that day...

I gained a little respect for jeeps that day...

I have full respect for jeeps, but the respect in that case was due to the winch. Properly rigged, that 10.5k winch on the jeep could lift a truck straight up... now if he tried to get her out by pulling, not winching, I bet that wouldn't work, and he knew it.
-P

the tip of the strap hook must face up. that way if the hook fails, the energy will throw it into the ground, not into the air.

One thing about getting stuck...it is not fun. I have been pretty lucky with my Dodge and have been able to get out of some places I shouldn't have been with a loaded trailer. My current job I drive a 10 wheel Peterbilt with a 3400 gallon water tank hauling chemicals for spray trucks, that truck is great as long as it is solid ground, but if it is just a bit soft forget it! I have had that truck stuck 6 times since March! I never listen the spray truck driver any more, when he says it's solid come on out to me, last time I listened to one of them I turned into a field entrance and made it 8 feet before the front end bottomed out![duhhh] So now I park as close to the edge of the field as possible and tell them to get to me since they have the floation tires!
Heck I have even managed to get the truck stuck on level ground on wet grass![laugh]

4 wheel parts is a joke.

Well, care to enlighten us as to your all seeing, all knowing attitude?

Here is what I have learned in my years of playing in the mud.

1. Only a diesel can pull out a diesel. Dont waste ur time trying to pull it out with a gas truck.

2. Only use a chain if u dont have to take a run at it and have good traction.

3. Havn't tried this but I heard if u stick a coat on the middle of the chain/rope and it breaks, the coat will keep the chain from coming up.

4. It is best to use a big(1"+) nylon strech rope and start trying to pull with no slack and if that dont work back up in 5' and try again and so on.

5. If u are playing in anytype of mud u might aswell go get a winch right now or have a buddy that has one. This saves alot of damage.

6. If u are pulling someone else out give them the roap to hook up to their vehicle. Cause if u hook it up wrong and tear something off it is their fault cause they hook it up.

7. I found it was best to use to stick a big shackle on the trailer reciever and hook the rope/chain to that.

8. Roll up all windows cause it's gonna get messy and it alot easier to clean the next morning.

9. Have 1 buddy stand back and video tape so u remember how u got ur truck dirty, or how bad u or buddy was stuck.

10. Have beer in hand when pulling cause it will spill if in the cup holder.

11. Have a set of rubber boots in the dry box, cause wet/muddy feet really suck.

12. The person getting pulled out must eather pay in cash or alcohol. Half before and half when pulled out.

I'll add to the list when I think of more.

I would agree with that. I installed a brand spankin' warn 16.5ti last week and was using it to tension a tree in the backyard yesterday (1st time the winch had been used other than to tension the line) Threw a moving blanket over the middle as this is what the Warn directions say to so (been using a winch for 20 years & haven't ever read the directions) low and behold the one time I follow the directions, the 7/16" wire rope decides to part ways with one another at about 10 feet out from the winch.

This dampening action really dies work. The cable pulled rather than sprang back. (to my disappointment.) i would think that a like would be overrated for the winch and especially wouldn't fail on the first pull on a brand like Warn.

Coat, blanket, tarp will take the energy out of the chain/winch cable/tow strap,if it breaks.


Better yet, use a synthetic rope made of UHMWPE, so that if it breaks, it drops harmlessly to the ground instead of whipping through the air in search of a head to sever.

You want a tow Strap?? Try the Super Yanker. This joker is unreal. See below:

http://images.customwebcart.com/super/super-39020-20321.gif





For the ultimate in recovery equipment, contact Emile at MasterPull:

www.masterpull.com (http://www.masterpull.com)

either that rope posted abover or a snatch strap (same as a tow strap but it stretches a little when you pull, can be found at tractor supply). NEVER use a chain! Make sure you hook it too a good tow point too. That may sound like common sense but ive seen many bumpers pulled off this way.

yeah and never wrap a strap, hook, or chain around a trailer ball, i know someone that did this once and they started yanking and the ball sheered off and broke free and then it turned into like a cannonball. It went right through the back window and smacked the passenger a-pillar and left about a 2 inch deep dent in the sheetmetal A-pillar, luckily it went that way instead of back at the driver. that would have been bad. Just because that's the weekest point inbetween the reciever tube, and the strap since we were using a 40,000 lb. strap made for towing tractors and big rigs.

well heres my 2 cents

my dodge has won me over 4 mudding contest they are has good has anything else in the mud you just need to use your head

has for that only diesel can pull diesel ive pulled my truck out with my 4whealer so

the best thing i saw for pulling is a wich i had on an old gm i had a 9000lbs ramsey winch the wiring went to the front and the back and the bed. i hooked it up on a hitch receiver i had a 10000lbs hitch in the back same under the bumper in the front and in the bed a 5000 lbs hitch for gettin in moose and such.[guitar]

ive used it many times when i get a chance im putting a similar rig in my dodge [roll]

The toolbox door and hood being up are good ideas, as I have seen a chain that was hooked to the end of a tow strap go thru a tailgate, thru the cab, and took the carb off the engine.


And as for 4 wheel parts...they are lousy. I ordered some parts from them a few years back. All for a 79 dodge truck. They sent me half of the parts (gears & bearings) for a chevy. I sent the wrong parts back to them, and never got my money back. They CLAIM I never paid for them, but the receipt clearly shows a complete install kit, which includes bearings.

I got tired of fighting them and just wrote it off to a learning experience.

I WILL NEVER send them money again, no matter how good the deal is.

You guys have some great ideas. Heavy duty straps like the ones being asked about can be found at AWDirect.com. Also, when hooking up a chain with a hook....always face the hook down. The tip should be facing the ground so if something breaks, it's momentum is aimed at the ground. If not, it will come flying through the air. I have seen this many times. Anytime you guys have questions about towing, winching someone out or where to buy supplies, feel free to ask. I have been on hundreds of accident scenes, winchouts and recovery type work. I know my way around chains and straps. I am still open to learn new things to help me out at work. Every little bit of knowledge helps.

I'll be the odd man out here and say that I prefer using a chain but you've got to have the right chain for the job. For hard pulls I have a 25' long grade 80 5/8" chain, it weights over 100lbs so it's not something I use often but I've seen it stop a D-6 or a 22,000lb 4wd farm tractor dead in their tracks. The advantage I like about a chain is they are easier to hook up and they can be hooked shorter when needed. You do need to be careful not to jerk when using small chains and I know even my big chain can break but I've seen it do some things I wouldn't try with a strap.

As far as using a chain goes, NEVER!
I was almost killed pulling a truck out of a mud bog using a John Deere 710D
The hook snapped and flew right past my head. I felt it go by.
The chain landed between me and the rops of the machine.
The hook was later found about 150 feet behind me.

Pulling in reverse is a sure way to break a ring gear.

Use a pulling or rigging strap.

Never hook to a tow ball.....really dumb move! [nonono]

Remember, should you break something or hurt someone, chances are that your insurance will do nothing for you.
You'll never get paid what the job is worth, so why bother?
For that reason, its best to call a tow company.
They have insurance to cover the unknown and have more experience than the average weekend worrier.
:cool:

That is true rollover pete. Tow trucks are made for that sort of thing and are insured in case something happens. The only downfall is some companies, like the one I work for, wont let their trucks get off the pavement. They are too heavy.

Never hook to a tow ball.....really dumb move! [nonono]What about a pintle/ball combination w/ the pintle closed?

What about a pintle/ball combination w/ the pintle closed?

Probably depends on the rating of the ball. If it's the standard 2K ball, I wouldn't do it. The ball needs to be rated as high as the tow strap IMHO.

tow trucks hmm unless towing company owns a dozer there is now way they are gona come and pull me out of the places i go[laugh]

The toolbox door and hood being up are good ideas, as I have seen a chain that was hooked to the end of a tow strap go thru a tailgate, thru the cab, and took the carb off the engine.




Yep, much better to have a dented funny looking hood/toolbox than a decapitation any day. [redface]

I always pull my 2 5/16" ball receiver out & use my 2" snatch-n-strap. I don't like the straps with the hooks on each end- I can just see that becoming a missile aimed at you.
I put the strap into the receiver past the hole where the pin goes thru, & put the pin in & lock it, holding it that way. Best way to do it.
I like the idea of putting the cargo box lid up if your using a chain.....

Now..snow pulling. Was rear axle deep in snow a couple years back with my '92 chevy 1500. Had no traction at all. What happened was I was comin around a turn, lost traction, slid 180 degrees into the opposing lanes snow bank. I was screwed. And an hour away from anybody unless they just happened to drive by and also no cell phone reception..Now, I got pulled out by a Ford about 6 hours later but it wasn't exactly what I call a recommended way. He attached a **** tow strap to my axle, attached the other end to his hitch and jerked me the hell out. Only problem was that when he jerked me free, I went flying all over the icy road back and forth bouncing off snow banks. I got traction about 100 yards down the road.

Any suggestions to be safer about it in case this happens again. This was some time ago when I was...stupid, but still, could happen again.

Nick

when i get called to pull people out of the mudd they hook their own chain up and then they are told to "hold on" what ever happens happens [coffee]

As for the chain vs strap saga. I use a combination of both most of the time. Usually when you are pulling a vehicle not equipped with tow points a chain is necessary to attach to it. I usually double up the chain. Then run a strap to my truck.

I NEVER use the hammer down and yank it out method. Stupidest thing to do IMHO. Just asking to break things or injure people. I always try to find level ground or a dry area then just put the truck in lowest gear setting possible. Then pull steadily.

You won't have any trouble with twisting the driveline, you're sig says you have an auto. If what you are pulling is really stuck or you have limited traction a tug-em nylon strap works wonders. No violent jerk and no damage, but a lot of force if you are moving when it gets tight. Chains are OK if you are very careful and don't need much initial force to get the stuck vehicle moving, or if you're towing with a heavy machine like a buldozer or tractor. Never jerk with a chain. The strap is better if the towing vehicle is lighter than the stuck one or if you just want to move someone who is broken down on the road. I never go on a trip without my strap.

Wetspirit

amen i have a deasert rat 6 in wide 30 f/t long 60 k and will not hook a chain to my truck . robbie

best investment to make is the largest winch within buget alot of large chain and two snatch blocks to double the winchs power. and a shovel and axe. also i found when pulling someone else out the axe can come in handy for holding down the brake pedal, just hold down the pedal wedge the axe btwn seat and pedal and move seat forward.or chain truck to tree.

Better yet, use a synthetic rope made of UHMWPE, so that if it breaks, it drops harmlessly to the ground instead of whipping through the air in search of a head to sever.

You want a tow Strap?? Try the Super Yanker. This joker is unreal. See below:

http://images.customwebcart.com/super/super-39020-20321.gif





For the ultimate in recovery equipment, contact Emile at MasterPull:

www.masterpull.com (http://www.masterpull.com)

HOHN - I am thinking of getting one of these (1-1/4") - will it have trouble fitting in the tow hooks on my truck?? Im guessing no... but wanted to be sure before I spend that kind of money... Looks like it would fit a lot easier than a 3+ inch strap....

I have used both chains and straps and think both have their places. Chains are nice if you can not hook on any where and just need to wrap it around the frame, or worry about the suspension of the stuck vehicle cutting the strap. The straps are nice because they are much lighter than a good chain and nice for quicker recovery's, like pulling the wife's 2wd truck out of the drive way lol

My advice for both chains and straps, think about the weight you might tow multiply it by 3 and that's what you need. I forget the exact size of chain I have, but its the same stuff we use at work to keep our Cat 930H loader on the trailer and I know that Cat weights way more than any pickup truck I would pull out of the snow or mud would lol.

Also don't rush, take your time and just be sure both ends are hooked to something solid (most cars and trucks have a factory tie down point on the frame for shipping) Try not to jerk to pull it loose, either try pulling in a different direction or break out a shovel.

My advice for both chains and straps, think about the weight you might tow multiply it by 3 and that's what you need. I forget the exact size of chain I have, but its the same stuff we use at work to keep our Cat 930H loader on the trailer and I know that Cat weights way more than any pickup truck I would pull out of the snow or mud would lol.

I have a 4" single ply sling that is 'rated' for 30k lbs. That is breaking strength, which will be compromised with wear and decay. That same sling, if used for rigging, would be rated around 6k lbs. I don't go wheeling, so my strap will be adequate for what I need. For those shock loading, get something beefy. Never hurts to over rig.

As for chain, get good chain. Grade 80/800 is the standard for hoisting and rigging, which has a 5:1 safety factor built in the rating. Using chain that you'd find at Home Depot, I wouldn't consider using it.

Is this a good way to yank a truck out. Looks like a gas V8 can pull out a Maga Cab Cummins.

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u167/banditmud/?action=view&current=daivdpullingkenny.flv

that was not pretty...downright mean looking:o