Recovery Kits

[Lifestyle Overland]

I'm in the process of developing a series of "checklists for the overlander" to share with novices and experts alike. I was hoping you would help with its development by answering the three questions below:

What's in your recovery kit?

What's missing from your recovery kit?

What's the most important item in your recovery kit?

What item could you do without, but is nice to have?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[SLO Rob]

I'm glad you're doing this as I'm new and this would help. I haven been stuck yet, but I have:

Shovel, snatch strap, two d-rings up front, one rear (hitch) & hi lift.

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Ok, this is my recovery Kit.

1. Shovel
2. Axe
3. Kinetic rope
4. Shackles several ones
5. (not sure about the word) 1 tree band, 4 pull bands. Please correct me.
6. High Lift
7. 2x Dragon Winch Sandladders for sand and mud
8. 2x Steel Sandladders for bridging and heavier problems
9. Winch.

And of course, tools for repair and such.
First Aid kit
Food and drinks for at least one day. More you dont need here in Holland.

Greetings from Robert

 

[deeker]

In my recovery gear drawer in the back of the Jeep:
1 - 30' recovery strap
1 - 20' recovery strap
4 - D-ring shackles
shovel
hatchet or axe
takedown saw
small tarp (8' x 10')
Hi-Lift jack
winch
tree strap
snatch block

I usually go out with other Jeep drivers. Recovery gear is essential as someone's bravery usually outpaces their skill or vehicle set-up.

 

[Conrad318]

So far
1. 4 Max trax
2. 2 tree savers
3. 1- 30' strap
4. 4 shackles
5. snatch block
6. 10000 lbs winch
7. small axe, saw
8. tire plug kit
9. air compressor
10. plenty of tools

Whats missing
1. High lift jack
2. Shovel
3. Better kinetic recovery straps

 

[Mad Garden Gnome]

Recovery gear is essential as someone's bravery usually outpaces their skill or vehicle set-up.

I call this......entertainment.

 

[Lifestyle Overland]

Now this is a recovery:

 

[steve_r2]

The list can be exhaustive if you want. .....but I will always go for quality of equipment every time. I have seen too many failures and near fatalities because of poor equipment/recovery techniques or both.
So in no particular order here is what I have.
Dedicated recovery points (not lashing points)
Warn Zeon 10s
Damper blanket
ARB Snatch Block 9000
1x Pull Pal
x2 Maxtrax
KE rope 20 feet
Snatch Strap 30 feet
Snatch bridle
x4 soft shackles (10,000 lb)
x2 Bow shackles
Shovel
Jacking block/plate
Gloves
Various tire deflation/gauges.
Probably missed one or two bits and pieces but that is my recovery gear.
I have not included tools, med kit etc. The only bit of kit that does not come out regularly is the Pull Pal all the rest stays on my vehicle.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

I actually bought the Hi-Lift bag, added a couple tow strap, a recovery strap, a couple D-Rings, a tree saver and a manual winch (will get a actual winch eventually, when funds allow)

 

[TxTerra]

My recovery items:

I carry 2 sets of Rugged ridges HD winch kits (tree saver, snatch block, recovery strap, d-rings)
Additional d-rings, and a hitch d-ring mount
Hi-lift handle all kit
Slitting axe and a chopping axe
Good long handled shovel
10k smittybilt 10k x20 winch
Tred traction mats
Hi-lift 60" xtreme jack

What i would like to add:
synthetic winch line
winch rope extensions
2nd set of tred traction mats
Ham radio for better communication, especially in emergency situations

I could go without some of these items as i carry a few duplicates, but i always go out in a group and always stay over prepared. You dont want to get into a recovery situation where you dont have all the needed gear to handle whats going on.

 

[david.lemke]

great posts....i used to own a towing company and still have alot of my recovery items......lol

but 1 question, why do you guys not use wire rope??????

what is advantage of useing rope in your winches......sorry but im sort of old school on this stuff

 

[Nomad]

Im old school too I like wire cable myself its just personal preference and how thick your wallet is...

 

[TxTerra]

The biggest advantage of synthetic is the safety. If it happens to break, there is little to no recoil.

Another aspect that is great is its lightweight, and also floats on water. May not seem like a big deal, but if you have to pull your winch line while stuck in a creek or river, its easily worth it.

I just don't have yhe cash right now to upgrade

 

[TreXTerra]

What's in your recovery kit?

1. Heavy duty tow strap
2. Rated shackles (4)
3. High lift jack
4. High lift tire adapter (allows the jack to lift straight from the rim for a more stable recovery)
5. High lift sand base (prevents the jack from sinking into soft ground)
6. Shovel (WWII German Army surplus)
7. Short-handled axe
   
8. E-tool
9. Tow hitch recovery point adapter
10. Bottle jack
    
11. Leather gloves
12. Air compressor
13. Basic tool kit
14. Spare fuses and fan belt
15. Puncture plug kit
16. SPOT transmitter
17. 75w 2M ham radio
18. Cheap Chinese handheld dual-band ham radio
19. Spare fuel
20. Headlamp and assorted flashlights

What's missing from your recovery kit?

1. Winch
2. Winch accessories (snatch block, tree saver strap, safety dampner, etc)
3. High Lift accessories kit
   
4. Snatch strap
5. MaxTrax
6. Fuel siphon pump
7. Small gas-powered chain saw.

What's the most important item in your recovery kit?

1. High lift jack (It's the only thing I've used to really save the day aside from the tow strap)

What item could you do without, but is nice to have?

1. Bottle jack. It is possible to jack the vehicle with the high-lift to change a tire or to use the factory jack. However, the bottle jack is tougher than the factory scissor jack and easier to use than the high-lift for tire changes. Mine can also be used on its side if I ever needed to use it in a non-traditional way.

 

[david.lemke]

Sissor jacks are good for nothing...........
Have seen to many damage themselves or their vehicle
Small flooor or bottle jack with cribbing under it to raise to desired height

 

[hardtrailz]

Sure I will miss things because stuff gets tucked in places over the years, but here is most.

What's in your recovery kit?

1. 20' tow strap
2. 30' tow strap
3. Rated shackles (4 on bumper and 2 or 3 more in truck)
4. High lift jack
5. Shovel
6. Mattock Axe
7. hatchet
8. E-tool
9. Folding saw
10. Bottle jack
11. Leather gloves(couple pairs) and Mechanix gloves
12. Air compressor- Smittybilt 2781
13. Basic tool kit - socket set and wrench set. bag of screwdrivers, vice grips, electrical tools, n such
14. Spare fuses and Surpentine belt
15. 2 - Puncture plug kits with extra plugs. Never know when you will need a last ditch effort of 1 dozen plugs on one sidewall puncture
16. Tire Slime/Foam
17. Cobra CB
18. Couple spare handheld CB
19. Spare fuel
20. Shaker Siphon
21. Headlamp and assorted flashlights
22. Spare fluids - oil, brake, steering, trans
23. 12,500 lb winch with 90' 7/16th Viking Winchline
24. Tree saver x 2
25. Snatch block
26. Snatch strap 30' cheap that needs updated
27. 50' Amsteel 3/8 rope extension
28. Masterpull Winch Rope Rock Guard
29. 2 pair Hopkins 24 inch traction tools
30. The bumpers and welded on sliders are a huge asset to jacking or recovery!
31. Oh and the wife recently found a pocket chain saw thing and I put it in the glovebox

What's missing from your recovery kit?

1. maybe 48 or 60 inch traction mats
2. Chain for using hi-lift as a winch

What's the most important item in your recovery kit?

1. Straps, but a winch is really nice to have

What item could you do without, but is nice to have?

1. Bottle jack. It came with truck, but has never been used.

 

[Lars]

I'm sad only one person mentioned Radio Communications Gear.

 

[Mad Garden Gnome]

I'm sad only one person mentioned Radio Communications Gear.

I can't speak for everyone, but comm gear is a common item in my rig, so I wouldn't put it on the recovery gear list. Recovery gear is something that goes in my rig when I am going out to off road. When I go get groceries, no recovery gear, but comm gear is still there.

 

[Lars]

I can't speak for everyone, but comm gear is a common item in my rig, so I wouldn't put it on the recovery gear list. Recovery gear is something that goes in my rig when I am going out to off road. When I go get groceries, no recovery gear, but comm gear is still there.

Fair enough. I tend to toss a Pelican/Plano case in the truck with a couple of additional HTs, each with a spare battery or two just in case.

 

[hardtrailz]

Recovery and communications are separate imo. I also did not mention the 2 fire extinguishers, because they are not for recovery but are important. Those and the comm stuff are always along for the ride.