Advice on recovery equipment

[ThorneGator]

I am looking for some advice on what the more experienced collective think is best to carry for recovery regarding lifts/ jacks/ winches?

While not always needed, I figure it is better to be over-prepared than...

I will be travelling single vehichle on moderately challenging tracks at the most difficult, but don't want to regret not being prepared. In the event of self recovery what is your recommendation?
-Hand winches work great, but are single application
- I'm not in the market yet for electric winch
- Exhaust Jack works well but limited use ability
- Hi Lift Jack- I figure this is the most versatile lift and winch application, but I have read that this can be overkill, and most think they just take up space?

Thanks for your help.

[Nero]

Depends on where you are driving mud vs sand etc etc I'll suggest have a browse through the section dedicated to recovery here Recovery - Australian Land Rover Owners (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/recovery/) .

[Tank]

I think your your choice as most versatile, "the Hi-Lift jack" is a bit off, I would consider a Tirfor hand winch the most versatile, it can be used in any direction and if coupled with a snatch block attached to the vehicle the load will be reduced, if you're not fit go for an electric winch, but leave the Hi-Lift in the back, Regards Frank.

[weeds]

I am looking for some advice on what the more experienced collective think is best to carry for recovery regarding lifts/ jacks/ winches?

While not always needed, I figure it is better to be over-prepared than...

I will be travelling single vehichle on moderately challenging tracks at the most difficult, but don't want to regret not being prepared. In the event of self recovery what is your recommendation?
-Hand winches work great, but are single application but can be used in any direction, can be hard work
- I'm not in the market yet for electric winch refer to hand winch
- Exhaust Jack works well but limited use ability
- Hi Lift Jack- I figure this is the most versatile lift and winch application, but I have read that this can be overkill, and most think they just take up space? i have carried one everywhere and have never used it, they are terrible as a winch, a good jack and hand winch would be better, room keep in mind a hand winch is heavy and takes up plenty of room

Thanks for your help.

travelling solo means you are more likely to be conservative and assess the track with more caution

out of you options above a hand winch sounds best option for you

[isuzurover]

I would say "all of the above"

A high lift jack is useful at times but is also very dangerous and precarious when used as a jack, and of limited use as a winch.

I once got bogged in a dry (salt) lake up to the axles, the high lift jack was useless - even on a 12"x18" wooden board - it just sank into the mud. An exhaust jack would have worked.

Likewise, I once had to fix the springs and shocks on a RRC in the middle of nowhere (CSR). We had to jack the vehicle up enough to remove the shock and refit the coil. Using a hi-lift for the purpose was extremely dangerous - fortunately another traveller turned up with an exhaust jack which allowed us to do the job quickly and safely, and completely changed my opinion of them.

Long story short, if travelling alone in remote areas, I would carry Hi-Lift + exhaust jack + hand winch + appropriate ropes and shackles.

However I bet if you ever need to use the HL or HW for a serious recovery you will go out and buy a powered winch straight after.

[Mudsloth]

If you are travelling on your own along "moderate tracks" for gods sake keep in mind how quickly things can go wrong. Hand winches are bloody hard work to operate when you are really stuck and believe it or not it doesn't take much to get really stuck. A high lift jack with the right accessories will destroy a hand winch. Do a search on high lifts and you will find an awesome thread on how to use one properly in a recovery situation. I have rescued blokes who have spent hours upon hours trying to recover themselves with hand winches from "moderate" situations. Do yourself a favour mate, especially if you are planning on taking your family, get an electric winch, at least one and preferably 2 snatch blocks and at least 2 decent d shackles and trunk protectors. Don't take the "moderate" tracks for granted mate. The bush very quickly turns into a harsh desert when you're stuck. And seriously, if your travelling by yourself where there is no phone service, buy an eperb or whatever the new ones are called. If you have the money buy a sat phone. ALONE IS TROUBLE. I have followed marked easy to moderate tracks in the past only to find that the loggers have moved in and turned the tracks to extreme to impossible with excavators and other machinery. Also remember that a smooth slightly cambered road when muddy can and will slide you to the bottom of the camber. I'm sorry if i'm carrying on but i've been stuck in the middle of, been rescued from, been called to rescue from and seen one friend lose a thumb in "moderate" gone wrong situations. Get a winch and a snatch block mate.

[DI5CO]

I too sometimes go by myself on easy to moderate tracks camping with my boys. In Sept I went down a steep track & had to go back up another hill, was quite steep, trac cont buzzing for 50m or so up the hill with the roof top tent & camping gear. Frightened the hell out of me after I thought about it back at home, just thinking what if I had of got stuck. I now have an electric winch!! Its only a Tigerz, but gives me a bit of security.
Dave.

[Bundalene]

Other than recovery equipment, communication is probably more important than all the recovery equipment, just in case you are out there on your own and you break down or do become badly stuck.

This can be in the form of a Sat phone. either hire or purchase and there are a lot of plans now a days. We still use a HF radio, but come with a lot of experience with these in setting up aerial dipoles. long lines etc.


We always travel on our own, but always have a sked with 2 different people and always have food and water for 1 week.

Erich

[ThorneGator]

This is great advice so far, thanks heaps!

I agree, that electric winch and ALL the essentials is the right way to go, but I am a novice just getting into the 4WD scene looking forward to some enjoyable well marked paths that aren't too rutted with the occasional shallow, hard-bottom crossing..... probably closer to easy than moderate compared to what many of you are tackling.

As Mudsloth and Weeds pointed out, being solo garners extra caution and warrants expecting potential problems which is why I'm expecting to get 'stuck' on about any course...... but hoping not too:)

It seems to me that the hilift would easily be the most versatile, but that doesn't seem to be the case according to the experts.

Thanks again, and keep the advice coming

[isuzurover]

It seems to me that the hilift would easily be the most versatile, but that doesn't seem to be the case according to the experts.



A high-lift is certainly the most versatile, however also the least safe and hardest to use.

However that in itself is often useful. Plenty of times I have used the instability of a high-lift to move a vehicle into the right position, or get it unstuck (e.g. interntionally knocking the jack over to move the front or rear of the vehicle into the right position).

However if you haven't used one before, I would see if you can get someone local to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages.

[austastar]

Hi,
don't forget to take half a dozen 2x3" planks, cut to about 50cm long, should fit flat some where in your vehicle. Cheap as chips and very useful.
Good for jacking, packing, holding etc - never get under a vehicle with only a jack holding it up.
Can also be used as emergency kindling or even fire wood.
cheers

[Veryan]

RE communication equipment - we use 'find me spots' at work. Pretty cheap ($150) have a couple of pre-programmable messages from everything is hunky dory to, minor issue no need for help, to send help to, full blown search and rescue force descending on your position.

J

[cartm58]

Hi Lift jack point out unless you got bull bar front and rear step bar tow bar on modern vehicle you going to find it hard to find a suitable spot to use it without damaging your vehicle panels.

If you need to lift a modern vehicle you are better off with an exhaust bag

No of times you truly get stuck in moderate situations doesn't justify a electric winch, for safety sake a hand winch with a block and sand anchor is fine don't foreget regardless of winch your tree protector strap.

A couple of snatch straps for recovery by another vehicle joined together if in soft sand etc worthwhile investment and in emergency extends line of the winch

A long handle shovel axe high speed air compressor good to have in your recovery tools as well