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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: keith on January 30, 2005, 01:26:56 PM

Title: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: keith on January 30, 2005, 01:26:56 PM
What is the best way to spend $100 on recovery equiptment?  It seems like a come-a-long, a high lift jack and a strap would be the way to go?  What brand of come-a-long is a decent one?  Any other ideas?
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Chief on January 30, 2005, 01:28:45 PM
If you wheel with other people, a hi-lift jack, a couple of tow straps and some D-rings would be a good start.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: tracker8wr on January 30, 2005, 01:34:54 PM
a hi-lift can also be used to winch so u really don't need a comalong if u r pinching pennies.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: mahimahimo on January 30, 2005, 01:51:09 PM
STAY AWAY FROM COME ALONGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very dangerous.... i no from personal expierience just use the high lift jack as a winch.

                                             -mo
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: adamd on January 30, 2005, 11:19:08 PM
Quote
STAY AWAY FROM COME ALONGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very dangerous.... i no from personal expierience just use the high lift jack as a winch.

                                             -mo


Ya, remove the come along and add some chains and hooks for winching
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Rhinoman on January 31, 2005, 02:44:38 AM
What sort of terrain are you driving? I don't go anywhere without a tow rope, a HiLift and a shovel. Works for me but its probably harder to dig through rocks  ;D
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Bobzooki on January 31, 2005, 02:48:42 AM
Did anybody say a Hi-lift?   ::)
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Natebert on January 31, 2005, 03:48:03 AM
Depends on where your rock rails and bumpers are.
A high life is almost useless with our trucklet anymore.
(can't get enough lift, run out of bar)

~Nate

I'd get a good tow strap with loops and d-rings, a shovel and a ham radio.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Jerseyzuks on January 31, 2005, 05:31:45 AM
Quote
STAY AWAY FROM COME ALONGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very dangerous



I would have to disagree with this statement.  A good come-along is a valuable tool offroad.  Often a come-along will work in conjunction with a winch, or in a situation where a winch cannot be used (such as a vehicle sliding sideways off a trail)  

Accidents can happen with any recovery tool, but the risk can be minimized.  

Don't by a $15 come-along and expect it to pull your 2500lb vehicle out of 3 feet of thick mud.  Be safe, buy good equipment.

Wrap a towel or blanket over the line to prevent the whipping around if it breaks.

Keep bystanders at a safe distance.

Only hook the come-along or winch to a safe recovery point

Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Bobzooki on January 31, 2005, 05:40:30 AM
Quote
...and a ham radio.


Umm, Nate?  For under $100?  What are the licensing requirements these days?
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: tracker8wr on January 31, 2005, 05:48:13 AM
if u have a hi-lift u can use it the same as a comalong. hilift sells the hook and strap tire kit that hooks to ur rim and gives a surface for the hi-lift to lift on. i think it $25 or $45. if u get a hi-lift rcovery kit for $132 including shipping it comes with handle extension, winching instructions, 2 4500lb tow straps (designed to work with a hi-lift), and a tire lift strap.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: cj on January 31, 2005, 07:00:10 AM
Quote

A high life is almost useless with our trucklet anymore.


Sad too hear the high life almost useless  :'(
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: mrfuelish on January 31, 2005, 07:07:28 AM
Ham radio just pass an easy test (no code)and 14.95 for a ten year license.  8)
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: chrisvitarasport94 on January 31, 2005, 08:06:34 AM
all the above, plus some cheap waffles - they don't have to be so strong as to bridge with, just enough to squeeze under a wheel to get some grip - army surplus is as good as anything, if a little agricultural!
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: mahimahimo on January 31, 2005, 08:09:38 AM
see i didnt get hurt by the cable but by the gears .... it gave way and the gears caught my thumb....im scarred gor lift by them now lol ... put me in the hospital and had to get major reparative surgery on my thumb....

                                       -mo
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Natebert on January 31, 2005, 08:45:13 AM
Quote


Umm, Nate?  For under $100?  What are the licensing requirements these days?


Take a small multiple choice test (~40 questions) at less then $10.00.

Then Ebay a cheap 2m radio.

~Nate
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: mudfkr on January 31, 2005, 08:54:00 AM
Quote
What is the best way to spend $100 on recovery equiptment?  It seems like a come-a-long, a high lift jack and a strap would be the way to go?  What brand of come-a-long is a decent one?  Any other ideas?


If you can pick all that up for $100 it's a dam good start and over time you'll work out what other recovery gear  you need rather than splash out  items you hardly use.

I started with a 9m snatch strap and a shovel and got by with it for quite some time  by making sure that I always wheeled with at least one other rig.  
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: cj on January 31, 2005, 09:10:03 AM
The basic requirement in our club and most others I know of is a snatch strap, 2x rated shackles and proper recovery points front and rear. I reckon a shovel is pretty handy too. A high lift may be useful if you have suitable jacking points but I just have a small hydraulic jack with a decent extended height and a one foot square baseplate to put it on. If you're wheeling with others this should do as a start. Even if you tip it over with enough guys another vehicle and a strap or two in the group you can generally always get 'em back on there feet.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: robe2conoby on January 31, 2005, 11:27:38 AM
get the ham radio much better than a c b any day plus then you can start a new hobby Amateur Radio



73's N3PHT (Greg) Fm15Ho (then you would know what all this is about)
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: keith on January 31, 2005, 02:02:12 PM
Quote
get the ham radio much better than a c b any day plus then you can start a new hobby Amateur Radio



73's N3PHT (Greg) Fm15Ho (then you would know what all this is about)


Just what I need another hobby to spend money on ;)
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Natebert on February 01, 2005, 02:25:37 AM
Quote


Just what I need another hobby to spend money on ;)


Amateur radio and off-roading were meant to be together.

Ham guys always like to help each other out.  
And who better to help then when you're stuck or stranded.  Thats when the Ham guys have the fun, see who can rescue you first.

~Nate
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: phoenix827 on February 01, 2005, 10:58:07 AM
I agree with the first reply, With a high-lift and a come-along, you can jack it up and pull it sideways if you have to, just make sure there is a safe place for the jack to kick out!! :o I moved my Ramcharger about 6' sideways one day this way. That was the time I learned how crappy 20 year old automatic hubs were!! ::)
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Drone637 on February 03, 2005, 10:36:29 AM
I recomend getting both types of Tow Ropes as well.  The long looped ones are nice if your really stuck, but if you need a quick tug you can't beat having el cheapo tow rope with hooks on the end.

If you wheel alone, buy a High Lift Jack.  If you wheel with friends, use theirs.  I haven't brough my lift on a run in over a year.  I don't have a mount for it built yet, and they do.  :)

Snag a come-a-long, but as mentioned before don't expect it to pull you out of a 3' mud pit.  It's handy to have along to give you that extra bit of a tug, or more importantly an adjustable line to keep you from sliding in the wrong direction.

A shovel, especially if you play in the snow.

And last, a bag to put it all in.  I keep all my random vehicle items in one bag.  Change of oil, filter, recovery equipment, in one bag.  Helps keep things organised.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: keith on February 03, 2005, 10:51:19 AM
How does a high-lift help you get unstuck?
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Natebert on February 03, 2005, 02:41:03 PM
Quote
How does a high-lift help you get unstuck?


in about a billion ways.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: hcgalvin on February 03, 2005, 03:02:34 PM
Quote


in about a billion ways.


(http://forums.maxima.org/images/smilies/+1.gif)
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: keith on February 03, 2005, 10:25:46 PM
Quote


in about a billion ways.


Describe some.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Natebert on February 04, 2005, 01:20:36 AM
Quote


Describe some.


I've used my hilift on ice roads like a pick axe to chip through the ice to the dirt to move forward.

Ive used my hilift base in the sand as a shovel

I've used my hilift as a prybar to push a fender back out to keep it off of a tire.

I've used my hilift as a come along.  Attach chains,cables on  the foot and one on the end and poof. insta-comealong

I've used my hilift jack in it's many roles, as a jack.  Including to lift the truck up, push sideways, to get out of deep ruts.

I've used my hilift jack to pull fence posts out of the ground that where in my way.

I've used my hilift jack to pull shrubs and trees out of the ground around the house.

I've used my hilift jack handle as a defense weapon.

I've used my hilift jack as a bridge for my truck to cross a deep ditch.  (one tire at a time)

I've used my hilift jack as a log splitter.  (along with my chain saw)

I've used my hilift jack as house jack.  To lift settled footings.

I've used my hilift jack to move rocks on the trail.  Attach chains to rock, lift.

I've used my hilift jack as a gigantic paper weight for a tarp.  Was windy and needed a tie down.

I've used my hilift jack as a hammer.  Tent stakes.

I've also used my hilift jack as a body panel crease adjuster.  (It ran against the side of my truck and put a HUGE crease in the fender)

Lots of uses and still counting.  Kinda like WD40  (which I keep a can with my hilift jack to help free it from dirt and sand)

~Nate
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Bobzooki on February 04, 2005, 01:25:29 AM
Last year at Moab, Wild and I bent my steering Idler Arm back where it belonged, with the handle of my Hi-Lift.
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: hcgalvin on February 04, 2005, 02:27:04 AM
Quote


I've used my hiliift on ice roads like a pick axe to chip through the ice to the dirt to move forward.

Ive used my hilift base in the sand as a shovel

I've used my hilift as a prybar to push a fender back out to keep it off of a tire.

I've used my hilift as a come along.  Attach chains,cables on  the foot and one on the end and poof. insta-comealong

I've used my hilift jack in it's many roles, as a jack.  Including to lift the truck up, push sideways, to get out of deep ruts.

I've used my hilift jack to pull fench posts out of the ground that where in my way.

I've used my hilift jack to pull shrubs and trees out of the ground around the house.

I've used my hilift jack handle as a defence weapon.

I've used my hilift jack as a bridge for my truck to cross a deep ditch.  (one tire at a time)

I've used my hilift jack as a log splitter.  (along with my chain saw)

I've used my hilift jack as house jack.  To lift settled footings.

I've used my hilift jack to move rocks on the trail.  Attach chains to rock, lift.

I've used my hilift jack as a gigantic paper weight for a tarp.  Was windy and needed a tie down.

I've used my hilift jack as a hammer.  Tent stakes.

I've also used my hilift jack as a body panel crease adjuster.  (It ran against the side of my truck and put a HUGE crease in the fender)

Lots of uses and still counting.  Kinda like WD40  (which I keep a can with my hilift jack to help free it from dirt and sand)

~Nate



Don't forget we've also used it as a

Cane, to help us walk around in the snow and mud,

Depth Finder in snow, mud, and water,

Mud Trough to create ruts to drive out through in the mud..

measuring tape (let's see, this high lift is 48 inches...)

Scythe.. to move overgrown weeds and brush..

Set in the mud or snow to provide traction under a tire in the hopes it helps to get you out..

and etc..
Title: Re: What recovery equipment to buy for $100?
Post by: Drone637 on February 04, 2005, 09:09:10 AM
I have to say my favorite use is to move the vehicle.  Jack it up and push in the direction required.

Last time I used one a lot was when I slid over a stump I was trying to get past in a clear cut.  We put the high lift on the rim and jacked up the one side, then drove the vehicle forward off the jack, and repeated until the rear axel was over the stump.  ;D