Recovery Gear 101 (1 Viewer)

[virtualpj]

Hi everyone. Searched and couldn't find a good list anywhere. I'm brand new to 4x4/off-roading (but not unfamiliar with cars in general). Never really been off-roading in a vehicle actually designed for it , and don't plan to go crazy, but my wife and kids and I love to camp and want to start looking at more remote/rustic spots to do so.

With that in mind, I'd like to start developing a list of recovery gear for beginners. I see "recovery gear" listed as a highly-recommended early buy but haven't found much on what that actually entails. Would love to hear some recommendations on what basic items I should look for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jgilman56]

Until you have a winch, traction boards and a decent shovel is best. The winch really opens up the options, tree saver, shackles (hard/soft), and snatch strap are basically the staples. After that, it really depends on the trails you plan to tackle, sand spike (forget proper name) is a good addition for beach things for example.

 

[r2m]

Ha-ha!! The list is right on the very top of the forum as a sticky post! As the old saying goes, if it were a snake it'd had bit ya!
Here you go: Ultimate Tool Kit (carry on for off raod) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ultimate-tool-kit-carry-on-for-off-raod.1231281/
When you build your kit, add or take away as necessary. But this is a pretty complete list.
If you think of something that should be added, let me know and I'll edit the list!
And while you're looking that over, grab a cuppa or your favorite adult beverage and take some time to peruse the:
GX460/Prado 120 Pic Thread: GX460 / Prado120 pic thread - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gx460-prado120-pic-thread.929092/
460-Add Crawl Control and Multi Terrain Select: 460-Add Crawl Control (CC) and Multi Terrain Select (MTS) to 2010-2019 models/all trims - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/460-add-crawl-control-cc-and-multi-terrain-select-mts-to-2010-2019-models-all-trims.1040976/
GX460 Manuals: GX 460 Manuals - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gx-460-manuals.1129713/
Guide to GX460 Builds and Aftermarket Products: Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/guide-to-gx-460-builds-and-aftermarket-products.1168653/

 

[virtualpj]

Ha-ha!! The list is right on the very top of the forum as a sticky post! As the old saying goes, if it were a snake it'd had bit ya!
Here you go: Ultimate Tool Kit (carry on for off raod) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ultimate-tool-kit-carry-on-for-off-raod.1231281/
When you build your kit, add or take away as necessary. But this is a pretty complete list.
If you think of something that should be added, let me know and I'll edit the list!
And while you're looking that over, grab a cuppa or your favorite adult beverage and take some time to peruse the:
GX460/Prado 120 Pic Thread: GX460 / Prado120 pic thread - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gx460-prado120-pic-thread.929092/
460-Add Crawl Control and Multi Terrain Select: 460-Add Crawl Control (CC) and Multi Terrain Select (MTS) to 2010-2019 models/all trims - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/460-add-crawl-control-cc-and-multi-terrain-select-mts-to-2010-2019-models-all-trims.1040976/
GX460 Manuals: GX 460 Manuals - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gx-460-manuals.1129713/
Guide to GX460 Builds and Aftermarket Products: Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/guide-to-gx-460-builds-and-aftermarket-products.1168653/

Ha! I actually did see that tool thread. I was thinking this was a different category of items, things like shovels and boards, but point well taken.

I have the crawl control components on my list, as I know that for the money, that’s a huge upgrade.

Thanks for the links!

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Welcome and congrats on getting your family out there in your rig. Everyone will have their own opinion on what you need. If I had to pick one item I couldn't live without it is a good air compressor. I've got lots of miles on this one and it hasn't let me down. Start getting some miles behind you and then figure out what you need from there. And post pictures.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Hi everyone. Searched and couldn't find a good list anywhere. I'm brand new to 4x4/off-roading (but not unfamiliar with cars in general). Never really been off-roading in a vehicle actually designed for it , and don't plan to go crazy, but my wife and kids and I love to camp and want to start looking at more remote/rustic spots to do so.

With that in mind, I'd like to start developing a list of recovery gear for beginners. I see "recovery gear" listed as a highly-recommended early buy but haven't found much on what that actually entails. Would love to hear some recommendations on what basic items I should look for.

Thanks in advance!

Before you spend a dime on any recovery equipment find a I4WDTA certified trainer in your area. Take a class with them, once you have you will have a far better understanding of what you need for your vehicle, skill set and terrain that you plan to travel on. I have no doubt the 200-400 you spend on a class will save you 3x as much in the long run.

Find one here: I4WDTA - https://i4wdta.org/

 

[Washingtontaco]

Hi everyone. Searched and couldn't find a good list anywhere. I'm brand new to 4x4/off-roading (but not unfamiliar with cars in general). Never really been off-roading in a vehicle actually designed for it , and don't plan to go crazy, but my wife and kids and I love to camp and want to start looking at more remote/rustic spots to do so.

With that in mind, I'd like to start developing a list of recovery gear for beginners. I see "recovery gear" listed as a highly-recommended early buy but haven't found much on what that actually entails. Would love to hear some recommendations on what basic items I should look for.

Thanks in advance!

See post #485

Builds - 2018 Premium 460 build

Never heard of it before, but sounds like an awesome organization. Thank you for doing that!

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[virtualpj]

Before you spend a dime on any recovery equipment find a I4WDTA certified trainer in your area. Take a class with them, once you have you will have a far better understanding of what you need for your vehicle, skill set and terrain that you plan to travel on. I have no doubt the 200-400 you spend on a class will save you 3x as much in the long run.

Find one here: I4WDTA - https://i4wdta.org/

Love everything about this and would take the course in a heartbeat. Wish the closest one wasn’t 8+ hours away.

 

[Bralow]

Here are some good links to learn if you want to understand the how and why behind the gear, and the safety:

BillaVista.com-Recovery Bible Tech Article by BillaVista

https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=gy2-RUaYgUA

https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=97XqNX3yFTk

My best piece of advice would be: Do not listen to 99% of the stuff you find on the online, especially on youtube and forums.

For example: You'll see recommendations for this or that recovery gear on Amazon. Don't buy any of it.

Real recovery gear, such as used in rigging or cargo industries, has safety ratings that they are legally obligated to test and publish. Amazon is filled with fake crap, and this includes a bunch of the "big" brands - Rhino, Smittybilt, etc.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Love everything about this and would take the course in a heartbeat. Wish the closest one wasn’t 8+ hours away.

Eric Brown is in Ohio, not sure if that's 8 hours though?

 

[virtualpj]

Eric Brown is in Ohio, not sure if that's 8 hours though?

Yup, you're right, but 6.5 hours from me plus a lost time zone hour, but I will absolutely do it if I can.

 

[Rednexus]

My list is below. I've assembled this over the past few years and it's based on a combination of light recovery and auto repair tools. Basically most everything needed to extract the vehicle (with another vehicle present) and perform light/moderate repairs either on the trail on in the parking lot of an auto parts store far from home. It works fine for my routine wheeling in the Ozarks and I also drag the same kit to other places.

1. 30', 3" nylon recovery strap
2. 10', 2" nylon recovery strap (holdover from my days of wheeling in a Subaru but I still keep it)
3. A total of 3 Smittybilt D-rings (1 large, 2 small)
4. D-ring insert for my OEM rear trailer hitch
5. Knockoff ARB tire deflator kit (for airing down)
6. Harbor Freight Bauer 20V compressor and battery (for airing up - works great and is inexpensive)
7. LED flashlight adapter for the HF Bauer 20V battery
8. US Army surplus foxhole shovel (get the real deal - it's tough and I used mine to dig the GX out of a nasty mudhole)
9. Estwing camper's axe (mainly for chopping wood when camping)
10. Folding 10" saw (also mainly for camping but could be used to cut up a tree blocking a trail)
11. Tool kit with sockets, open-end wrenches, electrical tape, spare electrical wire, hose clamps, pliers, zip ties, allen wrenches, screwdiivers, hammer, etc, all in a separate bag
12. Jumper cables
13. Duct tape
14. Fire starter and lighters

 

[r2m]

Here are some good links to learn if you want to understand the how and why behind the gear, and the safety:

BillaVista.com-Recovery Bible Tech Article by BillaVista

https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=gy2-RUaYgUA

https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=97XqNX3yFTk

My best piece of advice would be: Do not listen to 99% of the stuff you find on the online, especially on youtube and forums.

For example: You'll see recommendations for this or that recovery gear on Amazon. Don't buy any of it.

Real recovery gear, such as used in rigging or cargo industries, has safety ratings that they are legally obligated to test and publish. Amazon is filled with fake crap, and this includes a bunch of the "big" brands - Rhino, Smittybilt, etc.

You may want to edit your links to Youtube. You have a "space" between the letter "y" and "outube in your links.

 

[r2m]

My list is below. I've assembled this over the past few years and it's based on a combination of light recovery and auto repair tools. Basically most everything needed to extract the vehicle (with another vehicle present) and perform light/moderate repairs either on the trail on in the parking lot of an auto parts store far from home. It works fine for my routine wheeling in the Ozarks and I also drag the same kit to other places.

1. 30', 3" nylon recovery strap
2. 10', 2" nylon recovery strap (holdover from my days of wheeling in a Subaru but I still keep it)
3. A total of 3 Smittybilt D-rings (1 large, 2 small)
4. D-ring insert for my OEM rear trailer hitch
5. Knockoff ARB tire deflator kit (for airing down)
6. Harbor Freight Bauer 20V compressor and battery (for airing up - works great and is inexpensive)
7. LED flashlight adapter for the HF Bauer 20V battery
8. US Army surplus foxhole shovel (get the real deal - it's tough and I used mine to dig the GX out of a nasty mudhole)
9. Estwing camper's axe (mainly for chopping wood when camping)
10. Folding 10" saw (also mainly for camping but could be used to cut up a tree blocking a trail)
11. Tool kit with sockets, open-end wrenches, electrical tape, spare electrical wire, hose clamps, pliers, zip ties, allen wrenches, screwdiivers, hammer, etc, all in a separate bag
12. Jumper cables
13. Duct tape
14. Fire starter and lighters

Not sure if you've taken a look but there's a sticky post titled, Ultimate Tool Kit(carry on for off road)
https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=97XqNX3yFTk

If you have a chance, take a look through it and let me know what I'm missing and I'll be glad to add to the list!

 

[Bralow]

You may want to edit your links to Youtube. You have a "space" between the letter "y" and "outube in your links.

I did it on purpose because recently the forum software has decided you can't just post a link to youtube, it has to be converted into this giant monstrosity embeded version:

 

[r2m]

Thanks! I wasn't aware of that.