Recovery Gear

I finally got off of my rear and got some recovery gear (well, a good start anyway).
-Warn Receiver Shackle Bracket
-Receiver portion made in US, shackle made in China
http://www.warn.com/truck/accessories/shackle.shtml


-2 Warn Shackles with 7/8" pin diameter (more on this in a minute...)
-Made in China
http://www.warn.com/truck/accessories/shackles.shtml


-ARB Snatch Strap (rated to 17,500 lbs)
-Made in Taiwan
http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Tow-Straps-And-Recovery-Gear/Tow-Recovery-Straps/52.aspx


-Gerber folding shovel
Assembled in US with components from US and Finland
http://www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Gear/Folding-Spade_30-000075


This is what I would consider about the minimum for traveling with a group. I have several other things I will add in the future, including a Hi-Lift jack and a come-along like BigJ found:
http://www.svtoffroad.com/showthread.php?263-Why-not-a-come-along

More on the Warn shackles...
I ordered the shackles online and saw that they were about the same price as most of the US made shackles (about double the price of the Chinese made shackles). I was very surprised to see that they were made in China!! I have done some more research and have found several other options made in either Europe or the US that are the same price or cheaper than the Warn units. I would have purchased something else if I had known this beforehand.

Van Beest
-Made in Holland
-http://www.vanbeest.nl/public/files/catalogue/en/Chapter01_Shackles.pdf

Crosby
-Made in the US (shackles are made in Longview, TX)
-http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/default.aspx?

Columbus McKinnon
-Made in the US (as reported by Grainger, couldn't find anything on their website...)
-http://www.cmworks.com/SearchResults.aspx?search=catid:1243&attr=6713&type=Standard

Good stuff.

I recommend a larger shovel :mrgreen: seriously - I'm going to buy a full size rounded shovel and cut down the handle length. When you need to dig those little ones aren't enough - trust me, I know

What're you gonna do with the shackles?

You went all out on the snatch strap. I think ARB makes great stuff but they also make a great pile of money on everyone who buys their products. There are very good straps out there for a lot less.

MagicMtnDan said:

I recommend a larger shovel :mrgreen: seriously - I'm going to buy a full size rounded shovel and cut down the handle length. When you need to dig those little ones aren't enough - trust me, I know

Click to expand...

True, I usually do carry a full size, too. This one will fit in my action packer with the rest of my stuff, that way I can't forget it. Plus, the head folds to 90 deg, which would be useful for sand. The small shovel you bring with you is still better than the big shovel you left at home

MagicMtnDan said:

What're you gonna do with the shackles?

Click to expand...

If the recovery vehicle and the vehicle to be recovered each have closed loop tow points (ie: Raptor), it gives me a way to connect the snatch strap, one at each end.

MagicMtnDan said:

You went all out on the snatch strap. I think ARB makes great stuff but they also make a great pile of money on everyone who buys their products. There are very good straps out there for a lot less.

Click to expand...

The one I got was within $5 of several others (some more, some less) with similar ratings.

I have very similar kit to this in my truck...

Warn receiver shakle bracket... have had it since my Dodge Ram 4x4 about four vehicles ago... the shackle fell out at some point replaced by a

Smittybilt shakle... with the raptor you only really need one... if the towed vehicle has open hooks you simply loop the recovery strap through them... if it has raptor style hoops you thread it back through itself. It takes a couple extra seconds but is in fact safer.

Generic recovery strap... I actually have two... one with the loops and one with the hooks. Sometimes one works better than the other. Normally I would buy something a little nicer but as long as you do not snatch the cheapies are ok (besides I made about 25K less last year than I usually do so you have to make cuts somewhere).

I have a military issue e-tool instead of that gerber... same basic design just free for me. You can get them preety cheap at surplus stores. The e-tools spade is almost as big as a conventional tool, the main issue is the short handle... The advantage of the longer handle on a conventional is that it allows you to use a more natural digging action and get in a little more leverage to get through hardened soil. On the other hand if you are using the shovel to get unstuck you are going to be in soil that is relatively soft and easy to dig, so whilst the e-tool is a little harder to wield, you can get in closer easier, and a little pain will learn you to pick a better line next time.

I currently also carry a hi-lift with most available accessories, as well as about 50 feet of chain.

The advantage of Kaiser's recommendations are that you can fit it all in a couple of bags under your rear seat without disturbing the stock accessories.

KaiserM715 said:

More on the Warn shackles...
I ordered the shackles online and saw that they were about the same price as most of the US made shackles (about double the price of the Chinese made shackles). I was very surprised to see that they were made in China!! I have done some more research and have found several other options made in either Europe or the US that are the same price or cheaper than the Warn units. I would have purchased something else if I had known this beforehand.

Click to expand...

I sent Warn an email regarding my surprise regarding Chinese sourcing. They gave me a sob story that they could not sell a US made shackle that would be price competitive after it would be modified for them (meaning having "Warn" stamped on it). They recommend USA Rigging Supply for US made products, who sells the Columbus McKinnon shackles. The same size shackle from them is a couple of bucks cheaper and rated to a higher working load (6-1/2 tons vs 4-3/4 tons). Sounds like a deal to me!!

http://www.usariggingsupply.com/product/M652G

question, where do you guys store all this? I have a small kit with strap, d rings, etc, which fits under the back seat (barely). where do you put a shovel? Hi lift?

Someday I hope lvdezertdawg will take the time to show off his gear layout... he might not have every tool and spare part for any possible repair (who does?) but at least you'd be set to wait for help if you needed it. :thumbsup:

warrior said:

where do you put a shovel? Hi lift?

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My shovel folds up and fits inside of my action packer (the smallest size - 8 gallon) along with a tarp. frogslinger has a good spot for his Hi-Lift, but I can' find a pic of it at the moment. He has it mounted at the front of the bed.

MarkT said:

Someday I hope lvdezertdawg will take the time to show off his gear layout... he might not have every tool and spare part for any possible repair (who does?) but at least you'd be set to wait for help if you needed it. :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

I got it on the list of things to do....LOL

not a great picture but you can see it in there...