It said I can’t change it, says needs admin, Not too worried about it lolThink you can change it in your preferences yourself. If not I can fix it tomorrow.
It said I can’t change it, says needs admin, Not too worried about it lolThink you can change it in your preferences yourself. If not I can fix it tomorrow.
User can’t change itThink you can change it in your preferences yourself. If not I can fix it tomorrow.
Yeah, never... EVER... underestimate an animals intelligence, they really are smarter than you think!!!
Comfortable hiking shoes or boots. Never know when some failure happens and no way a trail repair can happen, and cell service is 5 miles away or you need to climb a tall hill/mountain to reach service. I really like to wheel in sandals during the warmer months (which is 9 months a year her), but I always bring some trail runners with me just in case. It's saved my bacon a couple times. Hiking in sandals is miserable.
Water, snacks, warm clothes/blankets are standard for any trip.
Strap, shackles (I really like soft shackles for their easy to use and way less dangerous if shit goes bad, just a little pricey).
12mm hex (Allen wrench) for the front diff. I like the kind on a 1/2” socket base.
good practice for going far out is make certain vehicle is In good mechanical order and all it’s juices are at the correct level. Extra oil,atf, gear oil. Check that your spare is in good shape too. Hi lifts are useful, but dangerous if misused. I like the aluminum floor jack from HF, it’s lightish, has good vertical reach and you can use it any time your need to jack the truck up. I use 3/4 plywood to support jack and as traction boards. 2x4 blocks can be way helpful. Basically bring everything, leave the kitchen sink at home. Enjoy
Okay back on topic. So I’ll add this one with a bit of hesitation. Ground pins.
I have no idea what the terrain is like in that specific location but even with a friend along I like to plan like they aren’t there - in case they get hung up too. And in the spirit of inexpensive recovery gear being able to anchor where no anchor exists is quite valuable. With the gear you’ve got you be able to provide some leverage by adding pins.
The hesitation is because you need to have a little bit of understanding about the fundamentals of ground anchors or you’ll potentially create deadly projectiles. But 3’-4’ lengths of rebar can save your bacon particularly in compacted aridsoils.
With that said if there are plenty of trees, large bolders etc then it wouldn’t be required and if uncompacted or loose sandy soils abound your shovel and spare tire can also serve the same purpose. But many dry soils are more like concrete...
Dimensional lumber wouldn’t work quite the same. You need to spread the “weight” of the truck out over a small area where the sheer load of the pins (multiple at once) take the force. Much like a couple of relatively small screws holds up a cabinet, and all of the shit in it, to the wall. Which is to say you load the pin laterally, 90 degrees to the length and wood can struggle with having enough strength. But if you wanted to experiment might be interesting, just do it before your trip. In fact if I were to try that I’d use ash shovel/axe handles or similar - which are selected and processed for their lateral strength/durability.
For example: (I’d prefer #6, but I like overkill)
1/2 in. x 4 ft. #4 Rebar (6 Per Bundle)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/302243599
There is also something you can buy called a rebar j-hook which is preformed with amazingly, a j-hook. Harder to get longer lengths because that’s not the norm but it’s useful to have a small bend toward the end as you really need to be able to remove the pin when your done - otherwise you leave a nice tire slicer in or near the trail and that would be a dick move.
And finally you do need a way of connecting the pins to the come-a-long... lots of ways of going about that, which I’ll let you sort out.
FRUGAL THOUGHT: We’ve been talking about plywood, traction boards, pins etc. What if you, and I’m spitballing here, went old-school and just took good exterior grade 3/4 ply and cut it to a length that neatly fit on the OEM roof rack. Then took lumber, or more ply, and made a ladder patten on both sides - ala traction board. Finally, through the lumber drill holes for the ground pins and a shackle point for the come-a-long - multitool. If you got three or four pieces out of the ply you’d be able to use two as traction boards and the third to set and remove your pins. It’s a thought but might cost as much as traction boards.
Finally, even If you just stick to the come-a-long and connecting to your friend’s truck, ground pin or not, I’d consider getting a winch extension line to give you some flexibility in recovery position.
FRUGAL THOUGHT: We’ve been talking about plywood, traction boards, pins etc. What if you, and I’m spitballing here, went old-school and just took good exterior grade 3/4 ply and cut it to a length that neatly fit on the OEM roof rack. Then took lumber, or more ply, and made a ladder patten on both sides - ala traction board. Finally, through the lumber drill holes for the ground pins and a shackle point for the come-a-long - multitool. If you got three or four pieces out of the ply you’d be able to use two as traction boards and the third to set and remove your pins. It’s a thought but might cost as much as traction boards.
I wouldn't trust plywood ladder boards, unless you fasten them via oldschool techniques, you're one spinning tire away from a whole bunch of nail or screw holes in your tire, further worsening your stuck situation.
Just ordered a couple. Easy thing to chuck in the toolbox.Best cheapest soft shackles around. $20 and super ratings. I have two and they look as good as the pair of EXPENSIVE bubba gator shackles.
https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Synthetic-Shackle-Breaking-Strength/dp/B071JDFWL1
Get a bunch, give out a pair to the next poor bastard you see still risking life with metal shackles. For $20, if it gets caked in trail grime, grease, left behind...who cares...grab a fresh one from the tackle box. It's a no brainer.
Just ordered a couple. Easy thing to chuck in the toolbox.