'Lending' recovery gear.

[landy]

This Father's Day my four kids chipped in and bought me a second set of Max Trax. So that's nearly $600 of brand new plastic sitting up top waiting to get me out of a sticky spot.
Now this got me thinking, with the winch, snatch bloc, snatch strap ect I have a fair few dollars invested in recovery gear.
My last trip to Fraser I was shocked at how badly prepared some people where. In fact I'm sure some even counted on others for help if they got bogged. One guy in a brand new Jeep had a brand new un opened 1" no name snatch strap. Utterly useless. My mate and I used our gear to get them out.
So my question is what is the go with helping others out of a spot. It sounds bad but I'm not so keen to let someone else take the knobs of my Max Trax just because they are under prepared. But by the same token I wouldn't want to see someone's pride and joy vanish beneath the sea either.
So whats the general feeling here on helping out. What if your strap or winch is broken/damaged. How do you recover the cost of broken equipment. Do you just grin and bear it, happy to have helped someone in need.
Do you just say no, as jack as that would seem?
You thoughts please.

Cheers,

Nino

[Alex 110]

Another aspect is what happens if their vehicle is damaged during the recovery? I've heard of good samaritans getting sued in this situation

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[komaterpillar]

its a hard one as i dont think anybody wants to be "that guy" that won't help out when someone is in need.... but on the other hand if people go to these places with the expectation that "someone will help me out so i don't need to take my own recovery gear" where do you draw the line :confused:

[Toxic_Avenger]

I wouldn't hesitate to assist, assuming no liability for any damages.
I'd hope the beer economy would come into play though.

A mate in Newcastle would recover stuck beach drivers for a small fee, in the end of the day, your gear can break, damage your vehicle, plus there's your time, diesel, etc.

[PhilipA]

Hmm, I have seen how divisive this situation can become, so now I give a briefing to the stuck person, as to what can happen and who should pay if say their car is damaged, or my car or gear is damaged.

I had a woman in a Falcon ute decline my help and wait for her husband when I explained that she had no recovery points and it was quite probable that the recovery would damage the front spoiler .

I was on a club trip where someone became REALLY stuck in a D1 with mud half way up the driver's door.

Another club member volunteered to snatch him using his own old frayed snatch strap and to make it worse IMHO snatched really hard and at an angle. The old strap broke at the loop attached to the bogged car and just about destroyed the tailgate of his RRC.


He expected the owner of the bogged car to pay, and the bloke eventually did, but I believe it caused bad feelings. I had a view that they should have shared the cost .
We eventually got him out using his 12000 lb winch and my airbag under the front of the car to lift it.

So I think lots of these problems can be minimised/ reduced by pointing out the facts of life to the person bogged.

1 You expect to use their recovery equipment if they have it .

2 they can get dirty attaching it if is in mud. I had one bloke expect me to wade into mud to attach a strap as he sat in the car!

3 If their car is damaged it is their problem and expense

4 If your car is damaged it is their expense. I once had my rear ball joint in a 76 Rangie ripped out when I snatched someone but I limped into Nowra and had it welded at my expense. There was no offer from the stuck club member. Maybe I should have been more demanding.

But of course some people believe everyone but them is at fault and have no ethics.
Regards Philip A

[austastar]

Hi,
Sell them the gear - with an offer to buy it back afterwards?

I've only been in that situation a few times, and gear damage was never goin to be an issued.
Stuck driver is the one to get muddy though.
Cheers

[101RRS]

In the good old dayd you just helped someone in need and if that caused a bit a damage to gear or car that was an accepted part of being a good samaritan.

These days it is all about me me me so we have situations where everyone wants to be covered if there is a mishap - people who want to charge or expect beers for a recovery get under my skin a bit - unless you are a business it is not a profit making concern.

However I do value my vehicle and gear and if I am doing a recovery I am in charge (happy to listen to an astute advisor but I have the last say). Prefer to use their gear but as mentioned often they do not have it. If I am in charge and I break my gear well that is my head but if it your gear that is on your head but it hasn't happened.

I don't expect payment and I do not expect top pay either. If recovering me and you expect something other than my sincere thanks then you need to be upfront about it and be graceful in rejection. I am happy to be the first to offer to pay if I am really in dire straits (was there once but there was no one around anyway).

I think the camaraderie that once existed 30 years ago amongst 4wders is often not there and has been replaced by a "it is all about me" culture.

Garry

[Disco Muppet]

I don't lend recovery gear. If you want it to be used in your recovery, then I'll be the one recovering you.
That said, if I'm recovering you and I damage my car out of bad luck, be nice of you offered to come to the party but I'm not going to expect it, or payment for the recovery unless that's already been offered.
However your attitude will determine if I recover you or not. If you're acting like a ****, I'm not going to help you.

[Patchy]

I dont see the problem if someone needs help help them and dont expect anything in return I've helped alot of ppl out of bogs usually the first timers with there new 4wd no idea or recovery gear stuck on the beach or in the hills its how they learn and once they know they can help someone else another time.

I've personly never taken much thought to who pays for what damage to vehicles i just think if your cars damaged u cover the cost if there car is damaged they cover it if it gets messy with someone demanding me to pay for there car, thats what insurance is for and they can go through them coz they will say the same..

if your paranoid about damaging your gear dont go 4wding leave it in the shed :p it happens gear wears out you replace it because its been getting used like it was designed to do.. I do think everyone should carry the basic recovery gear a snach and rated shackles but doesnt always happen so just help someone out coz next week you might be needing the help.

cheers Brian

[vnx205]

Ask yourself what you would want someone else to do if you found yourself in a situation where in spite of all your equipment, preparation and expertise, you needed extra help to get out of trouble.

[nismine01]

I've helped and been helped, the best advice I've been given is "Pay it forward".

Cheers

Mike :angel:

[chopper]

If , I , got , stuck ; I would wait for a big Macho Toyota to come along and "bet them" that they couldn't pull me out , job done.

[Bushy049]

I always ask if they have recovery gear first and use theirs if I'm happy with it. If not, happy to use mine.

The recovery is my operation, I'm happy to listen to input but the final decision is mine.

I always attach snatches or cable myself to both vehicles, I never allow a stranger to hookup to my vehicle.

Damage to there vehicle is their problem I make this clear) Damage to my vehicle is my problem. After all I did offer to help.

If you pull up and the guy carries on like a nob, or is by my opinion too drunk or drugged. Or I feel attempting a recovery will leave me stranded I exercise my right to drive on.

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[Sprint]

Depends on a couple of things

1: Did they get themselves into that situation knowing the possible outcome, without being adequately prepared first?
2: what are the risks to myself and my gear
3: Did they pass the attitude test

[Eevo]

i stop to see if i can help (might be a nice blonde who needs help). but dont mention if i have recovery gear or not.

if they pass attitude test, i'll help
if they dont, "good luck mate"

[mud13s]

Have helped plenty of people in the bush, it all comes down to their attitude. Make sure they know the risks to their car as well!

[Bushy049]

Yes attitude plays a big part, but I have helped people out for the sake of the other people in vehicle. I'm reminded of a bloke a mate and I helped out on the beach to wedge island one day. He was bogged on the beach in a Subaru sports wagon towing a huge home made tandem trailer with a drop side steel tray on it. His girlfriend was looking like she was ready to kill him. That trailer was so heavy I struggled getting it off the beach with my turbo landcruiser 61 with 33's and rear locker. He claimed it was all down to the fact his "car" was not tuned right. (Yes I was a cruiser man back then I loved that truck) but we all grow up 😉

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[weeds]

I generally ask what assistance they need and what equipment they have.......if they are pass the good bloke test than always happy to help.

I have driven away from one recovery at double island point, he was above high tide mark so I wasn't concerned.

[Spudlynicholas]

I would imagine that legally you are only expected to look after your fellow (hu)man. Not his/her toys. But it's nice to help in any way, because that's what nice people do.

For example, if he or she is stuck and has no water, or in a situation where their personal safety may be at risk, then you are probably obliged (as much as you can be) to offer to take them to safety.

But as for the vehicle? I see thousands of vehicles every day when I drive on the roads. Fancy cars are easily replaced. It just takes money! And anyway, that is where insurance comes in.

Of course....I haven't needed to be dragged out by a stranger..yet (touch wood, but that has been more arse than class. But I have been close. ooooh soooo close a couple of times of needing help) but I would expect that you get what you pay for and the limit of liability is to the extent of the money charged! But I would really hope someone would take pity on me and my pitiful selection of recovery gear.

Finally - I think bushy049 said it best!

[Tombie]

I generally ask what assistance they need and what equipment they have.......if they are pass the good bloke test than always happy to help.

That pretty much sums it up...

Although I am very wary of using my own gear on serious recoveries - I'd prefer to from a safety point of view (my gear is always in top condition) however, I've destroyed or damaged a lot of gear through idiots not listening during recovery. At that point I pack up and drive away.

Nowadays, there's sometimes a "show me the money' first - because if my gear breaks you'll be replacing it... If they agreee, the recovery starts...

But mostly, good bloke - recovery done with a smile :cool:

[NavyDiver]

Helping and being helped is why most off road is fun. I am usually a self extractor but after chopping 10 odd giant match sticks of Vic mountain tracks I was very happy some lads with monster blade came along.
On the beach in WA it was usual to stop and help push stuck trucks. A photo or two to stir up later is fine I.M.O.:D

Pay if forward or back works fine by me.

[Billandy1]

Yes attitude plays a big part, but I have helped people out for the sake of the other people in vehicle. I'm reminded of a bloke a mate and I helped out on the beach to wedge island one day. He was bogged on the beach in a Subaru sports wagon towing a huge home made tandem trailer with a drop side steel tray on it. His girlfriend was looking like she was ready to kill him. That trailer was so heavy I struggled getting it off the beach with my turbo landcruiser 61 with 33's and rear locker. He claimed it was all down to the fact his "car" was not tuned right. (Yes I was a cruiser man back then I loved that truck) but we all grow up 😉

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Great story Bushy:D