What is your must-have recovery gear?

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Outbound

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Apologies if this has been done before, I couldn't find anything.

If you were to build a recovery bag from scratch, what would you make sure you put in it? Maybe a budget version and a non-budget version?
 

M Rose

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Michael
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Ham/GMRS Callsign
W7FSB
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US ARMY Retired
Must have items:
Recovery Straps
Shackles
Jack
Tire iron
And some kind of winching apparatus
Basic First Aid Kit
Coms

going all out:
Full hand tool kit
Fire Blanket
More straps
A dedicated winch
Snatch Blocks
More shackles
Shovel
Axe
Recovery Boards
“Tanker” Bar
Sledgehammer
Saw
Bailing wire
Flashlights
Headlamps
Air compressor
On Board Welder
On Board Plasma Cutter or oxy/acetalyne torch

Or just AAA and a credit card
 

Lindenwood

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1) A shovel (Harbor Freight, $12)
2) A hi-lift ($80) with a lift-mate (attaches the lift to any wheel-$40) and a winching kit ($100)
3) A winch extension strap (Speedmaster, $35)

I am alone 99% of the time so I prioritize solo equipment--for example, I carry a snatch strap, but is useless most of the time. With the above items and some ingenuity (and some sweat...) you could get out of pretty much anything.

*edit*

That does assume you have attachment points and / or hardware, or would get them as part of the kit.
 
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Outbound

Rank II

Enthusiast III

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Alberta
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Aaron
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1) A shovel (Harbor Freight, $12)
2) A hi-lift ($80) with a lift-mate (attaches the lift to any wheel-$40) and a winching kit ($100)
3) A winch extension strap (Speedmaster, $35)

I am alone 99% of the time so I prioritize solo equipment--for example, I carry a snatch strap, but is useless most of the time. With the above items and some ingenuity (and some sweat...) you could get out of pretty much anything.

*edit*

That does assume you have attachment points and / or hardware, or would get them as part of the kit.
I really need to get a winch. Like you, I travel alone most of the time. Being able to get unstuck by myself is critical.
 

Billiebob

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Budget version,

Shovel
Chain, grab hook, slip hook.
Tow strap
Visa. Cell Phone, AAA, Band Aids, Tape, Water
Let someone know where you are going, check in daily

High end version,

Add an M8000 winch
Snatch block
Small pulley to redirect
Tree saver by 2, big and small plus shackles

CB, Ham Radio, better first aid kit.
Wheeling alone I always take the path of least resistance. It has been years since I have been stuck. I also travel light, very little extra weight or over landing gear. Plus a TJR with lockers is pretty capable if it is well maintained.

Add one more item, proper proactive maintenance, if your vehicle is not 100 percent, don't go.
 
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MMc

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I too travel solo in the deserts. I deal with mostly sand, rock and generally crappy roads, not a lot of rock crawling. I carry:
13000# winch
Plenty of shackles
Recovery strap and rope
Anchor lines & deadman kit
Blocks
Yard shovel and army shovel
2 tube Jack's
2"x4"x4' scrap decking
A couple of 18" square scrap Jack bases
Air compressor.

I have been high centered in plenty of times in plenty condition's. If you are stuck plan to dig.
 

Lindenwood

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New Mexico
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I really need to get a winch. Like you, I travel alone most of the time. Being able to get unstuck by myself is critical.
I had a winch, and while it is certainly convenient when out deliberately looking for trouble (i.e. "4wheeling") I strongly believe they are misprioritized wastes of weight and money for casual "overlanders" who are just getting from Pt A to Pt B.