Recovery Tactics

[ChsTremor]

I’m no expert in vehicle recovery - I try not to go places I’ll get stuck. Even then, I’ve found my self in several situations where someone needed to get pulled out of a ditch or needed to pull up a large bush.

I have seen pictures and heard stories of recovery gone wrong and it can be deadly. Check the below picture where the trailer hitch broke off and ended up killing the driver.

What are your do’s and dont’s of recovery?

My first one is don’t use the hitch as a snatch point.

 

[High_Country]

I’m not a highly experienced expert but my number one is SLOW DOWN. I get in a hurry like I’m racing some clock or there’s a deadline. Not the case. Take a breath, have a snack, assess the situation, think about all the options and failure modes, and then methodically execute. You’re not running the Dakar here.

 

[FaKtor34]

Anytime I winch or pull with a tow strap, kinetic rope, or snatch strap, I weight the line, strap with something usually floor mats, a small blanket or tarp that I fill the corners with dirt or rock to weigh it down, or they have special weight things designed to go on winch lines and straps to prevent what you showed from happening. I've seen some crazy stuff happen while recovering. I also try to use soft shackles when and where I can because I've seen more than one of the metal d rings fail and that's just another metal object flying through the air to potentially hit something or someone. If winching another vehicle I usually try to tie off to something just so it doesn't drag my vehicle causing more trail erosion. Just a few things I do.

 

[Charky]

Video summary:

Basically, the recovery vehicle tried using a drop hitch with chain and static straps. The drop hitch sheared off becoming a fatal projectile. Many mistakes on many levels.

 

[FaKtor34]

Video summary:

Basically, the recovery vehicle tried using a drop hitch with chain and static straps. The drop hitch sheared off becoming a fatal projectile. Many mistakes on many levels.

Yes I try not to use anything that is attached to a hitch, I do carry a recovery ring for the hitch Incase the individual doesn't have any recovery points, I would rather tie off to axle or something than use the hitch if I can avoid it.

 

[steamboatdevil]

Matt's Offroad Recovery channel on Youttube is pretty good!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdVOry0oNF9WIe_3uCfz9Q

 

[Alabama]

Video summary:

Basically, the recovery vehicle tried using a drop hitch with chain and static straps. The drop hitch sheared off becoming a fatal projectile. Many mistakes on many levels.

That’s a must watch video for anybody who does any offering. I learned a lot from that

 

[Yeti]

So many things...
Always place a weight on each leg of the line. They make mats specifically for that. I have been running synthetic for 7 years and still put a mat on my line.
Only use actual recovery points or the frame.
Get the hell out of the way. If the line can reach you, the line can kill you. If your anchor point is 50 feet away, then treat the 50 foot radius from the winch as a death zone.
Closed winching. I don't use hooks, etc that aren't a fully closed system.
Don't use under rated gear.
Don't pull at sharp angles
Anything metal in your kit can kill. With the exception of my snatch blocks and main, I haven't touched any metal in recovery in 4 years and that was because I was showing a reverse winch technique.
If you can, double your line. This will slow down the speed and potentially reduce the possibility of flying metal.

There are a lot of opinions and counters to the above to which I always say, "is it worth doing it your way, ever?"

A winch is based on the same principles that make a catapult, crossbow or trebuchet deadly.

 

[ChsTremor]

So many things...
Always place a weight on each leg of the line. They make mats specifically for that. I have been running synthetic for 7 years and still put a mat on my line.
Only use actual recovery points or the frame.
Get the hell out of the way. If the line can reach you, the line can kill you. If your anchor point is 50 feet away, then treat the 50 foot radius from the winch as a death zone.
Closed winching. I don't use hooks, etc that aren't a fully closed system.
Don't use under rated gear.
Don't pull at sharp angles
Anything metal in your kit can kill. With the exception of my snatch blocks and main, I haven't touched any metal in recovery in 4 years and that was because I was showing a reverse winch technique.
If you can, double your line. This will slow down the speed and potentially reduce the possibility of flying metal.

There are a lot of opinions and counters to the above to which I always say, "is it worth doing it your way, ever?"

A winch is based on the same principles that make a catapult, crossbow or trebuchet deadly.

Good info so far guys. Hopefully it can make someone think twice and save some injuries.