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My first recovery didn't go so well

8K views 39 replies 23 participants last post by  mtndew1 
#1 · (Edited)
Tonight my baby is by herself, out in the Arizona wilderness, in the middle of a narrow deserted canyon, and high centered in mud in a foot of water. She won't be free until tomorrow morning (hopefully). While trying to pull her out with a wrangler and Tahoe we busted two tow straps and one chain. My GC moved maybe an inch. One strap, upon snapping flew back, metal hook and all, and dented the $h#! out of my tailgate. Was too upset to think about taking pics but will try to remember to take some tomorrow when she is professionally recovered.

I suppose something like this was bound to happen as I off road it a lot, but boy does it suck!
 
#7 · (Edited)
you off road often and have recovery straps with metal hooks????

Get yourself some 30,000 lb straps with leather reinforced ends, some american made d-rings, and a few 30,000 lb chokers. None of that would happen ever again and your jeep would be with you right now.

I had a JK when I was single and have been stuck many times.. some very experienced off-roaders taught me what to do and we have been relatively damage and injury free.











the last two photos arent me (i took the photos), but its what happens when a recovery becomes more than a recovery
 
#8 ·




the last two photos arent me (i took the photos), but its what happens when a recovery becomes more than a recovery
This is what I don't understand about off roading; why would the guy attempt to climb that rock, just because it's there? He had piles of room (looks like it anyway) to go around and continue on his way. Climbing up rocks for the sake of up climbing rocks seems like a pretty stupid sport to me :D; if you enjoy nature and want to see something a little off the beaten path, that's a whole different story.
 
#10 · (Edited)
My tow strap doesn't have hooks. Due to the recovery location, we tried to double up with someone else's because we needed the length. To make matters worse, a storm was forming and we were in a wash. I admit this was not my smartest offroad excursion. Expensive lesson learned it is what it is. A couple of frogs must have thought my beached Jeep was a romantic scene because they were doing the nasty as we were doing the recovery.

Btw, we eventually had working straps but neither the Tahoe or Wrangler had the traction to pull me out. Recovery company brought out a lifted Ram pickup with tow bar, winch, and super meaty tires. My recovery took place at about an inch every 5 seconds.
 

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#12 · (Edited)
I can't see any recovery points?

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive tire


- If you are not snatching, your ability to apply force to the bogged vehicle is limited by the traction available.
- A snatch strap allows you to use the momentum (kinetic energy) of another vehicle.
- Due to the high level of forces achievable when snatching you require properly engineered attachment points on both vehicles.
- If you do not have these available, you should only attempt to gently tow the vehicle using a strap with no stretch... however your efforts will be limited by traction

Cheers,
Steve
 
#13 ·
glad you got her out. Man, I would have slept in the back seat, but thats just the crazy in me.
 
#17 ·
From the picture, I can't see any tow hooks. If you don't have them, do yourself a favor and buy some. Below are the links to tow hooks. All are identical other than the color. Also, all are the OEM tow hooks for the WK2 (Black on ORAI/ORAII equipped Laredos and Limiteds, Chrome on Overlands and 2011-2013 Overland Summits, and Red on the 2013 Trailhawk).

Black: Jeep Grand Cherokee Front Tow Hooks for 2011-2014 Grand Cherokee - Item # 82212095

Chrome: Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 Chrome Tow Hooks - Mopar Item # 68140582AA and # 68140583AA

Red: Jeep WK2 Red Tow Hooks - Item # 68192681AA and # 68192680AA

Also, where in Arizona are you? Wherever it is, it looks very cool and I will try to hit it up for some off-roading next year. :thumbsup:
 
#22 · (Edited)
Also, where in Arizona are you? Wherever it is, it looks very cool and I will try to hit it up for some off-roading next year. :thumbsup:
If you come out, contact me, we can be recovery buddies.

But, try to make it out when it's not monsoon season. There's still plenty of water to ford through :) :thumbup:
 
#21 · (Edited)
Tires are new stock Michelins, but they have always been adequate. I've actually forded that area where I got stuck numerous times, but recent rains must have changed the landscape a little bit. For anybody wondering, those are "the narrows" of Box Canyon in Wickenburg, AZ. My tow hooks we're actually in the mail and came the next day, however, recovery points were not the issue. No cell reception, only the guys that stumbled upon me with their light trucks and balled tires, and the distance required and not enough quality straps were the issue. Tie in desperation due to incoming weather and being in a flood zone and just about every factor came together to make this a bad situation. In the off chance that I'd end up with water up to the roof, I was willing to try anything to get out of there. Tried pulling it out from the front and rear. One of the other guys went into town and called the 3 tow companies in town of which none would come until the morning.

Like I said, I was dumb and should have never put myself in the situation, but the adventurer in me took over my common sense. Having just started going off roading in the last year, I've learned quite a bit. A couple times it's been a hard lesson. This would be one of them.

My wife has the car right now, but I'll take a picture of the dent in the tailgate later. It can probably be pulled out. There is no damage visible to the paint. In a few days I'll find out whether it would have been better to have busted the window.

But as another contributor mentioned, if you are going to use tow straps, drape something heavy over the center of the strap to avoid having it fly back at your Jeep like it did to mine.

Had that thing flown back higher, and had we been pulling out from the front, I might not be here to be writing this post.
 
#31 ·
No cell reception, only the guys that stumbled upon me with their light trucks and balled tires, and the distance required and not enough quality straps were the issue.
When leaving a maintained surface, it is always a good idea to travel with a second vehicle if at all possible. You are lucky that the guys stumbled upon you.

Second, consider purchasing a SPOT Locator or at least a ACR Personal Locator Beacon. This can get you out of some trouble.

The SPOT will send your friends "I'm okay", "I am running late", or "I need help" messages, and can also summon Global emergency rescues. It requires an annual subscription. The PLB is for emergencies only and is just a one time cost.

I carry a SPOT at all times in my Wrangler.
 
#26 ·
I was reading up on tow straps and recovery when I bought my Jeep. One of the things mentioned is that you should fold a blanket or a jacket over the tow strap about midway. The blanket is supposed to act like a sail if the strap lets go, reducing the momentum and making it safer.

I don't off-road but I do live in the North East where we get a lot of snow. So I figured that I would install recovery points, tow bar d-ring and a 30,000 lbs strap (likely overkill) in case I had to tow someone out of a snowbank.
 
#27 ·
Just to add in on the blanket / dampener usage...

A broken attachment point will of course be attached to the end of the strap. As far as straps are concerned, they typically break at the end point where they become double stitched to form the eyes. A dampener in the middle will allow the strap to halve its length before taking much effect, meaning contact with the vehicle could occur even though precautions were taken. For this reason it is best to use two dampeners... one at each end, about a metre from the eye. They should be firmly attached to stop the strap slipping through, but not crushing the strap either.

Doing this will definitely prevent a failure from causing damage to the people or vehicle at the other end... provided everyone is smart enough to stand well clear ;)

Cheers,
Steve
 
#29 ·
Good point. With a short strap you could probably get away with one sail in the middle, but two (one on each end) would definitely be safer.
 
#34 ·
Bumper Automotive exterior Vehicle Car Grille


After ensuring it is rated considerably higher than your snatch strap, thread the bridle / tree trunk protector through the eye of your snatch strap. This way, no dangerous projectiles are inserted in the recovery system.

Cheers,
Steve
 
#37 · (Edited)
View attachment 42462

After ensuring it is rated considerably higher than your snatch strap, thread the bridle / tree trunk protector through the eye of your snatch strap. This way, no dangerous projectiles are inserted in the recovery system.

Cheers,
Steve
Barboots,
Do you get the feeling you are flogging a dead horse? :)
 
#40 · (Edited)
National boards are great but do your self a favor and join the Virtual Jeep Club - http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/. This is an Arizona jeep club that offers recovery help from both volunteer members as well as is monitored by several off-road towing companies. They have several services such as, high priority rescue, low priority rescue as well as "I'm wheeling alone, where you can be found"

You will probably get grief for wheeling a WK2 by the Wrangler elitists but it's far better than leaving your expensive rig in a wash during monsoon season.
 
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