Best gear to pull cars out of snow banks?

[TurboTJ]

This last winter was my first with a truck. I ended up pulling 3 cars and one Jeep out of ditches & snow banks here in CO which got me thinking, maybe I should have better gear to help these Texans out.

What do you guys carry? How do you attach to low slung cars?

I have a cheap tow strap with a hook but have been thinking of getting a chain with hooks to maybe attach underneath the car. Any advice?

 

[GordoJay]

Pulling Texans out of ditches? There's a Sisyphean task.

 

[Oldfart]

Just put your hook right on the bumper of the car. What could go wrong???

 

[Mister Pinky]

A quality tow strap or a good chain. Although, you may find being a Good Samaritan is more trouble than its worth.

 

[TurboTJ]

A quality tow strap or a good chain. Although, you may find being a Good Samaritan is more trouble than its worth.

Agreed. One of the cars I pulled out last year had just decided to stop and watch the stars.... in 10” of snow on the side of the road, in a FWD Honda, on the coldest night of the year (18F that night), outside of cell reception.

Just seems like I’m always struggling to find a way to connect. I see people on YouTube using a chain with two hooks on the end. Is that what you’re thinking?

 

[CoronaRaptor]

I carry a quality tow strap and a shackle. I personally would never use a chain, but thats just me. I also carry and electric blanket and a first aid kit. People get stuck in the mountains here and there is bad cell reception. I always carry extra water and snacks.

 

[Josh84]

Quality 2 inch tow strap. Never a chain. Leave a bit of slack and tug out gently, if it doesn't come out tug harder. Typically anyone stuck in snow is hung up AND you will normally be pulling on a slippery surface.
Although if you are dry ground with good traction put it in 4 low and turn on the rear locker.
Otherwise use 4 high, don't worry about the locker if tugging out.

My latest pull out was my brothers 2008 Super Duty pulling a 10000 lb 5th wheel camper that sunk into the middle of a dirt road this spring up to his rear differential. Yanked him out with my Raptor in 2wd.
Absolutely yanked the shit out of him, they said it didn't jar them at all, it just surged out.
If you don't have weight/traction use momentum is what I say.

 

[TurboTJ]

I carry a quality tow strap and a shackle. I personally would never use a chain, but thats just me. I also carry and electric blanket and a first aid kit. People get stuck in the mountains here and there is bad cell reception. I always carry extra water and snacks.

I guess what I’m asking is, how do you connect a tow strap to a sedan/minivan/crossover? This is what I was gonna use a chain for. It would be two hooks on a chain to a recovery strap to my truck. This idea just came from watching videos of professionals.

 

[xtela]

Try using two of these: http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/transit-cluster/Towing
One on each side of the frame connected to a short flat strap. Then connect them to your tow rope with a soft shackle. You still have to be careful when putting upward pressure on poly bumpers though.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

I guess what I’m asking is, how do you connect a tow strap to a sedan/minivan/crossover? This is what I was gonna use a chain for. It would be two hooks on a chain to a recovery strap to my truck. This idea just came from watching videos of professionals.

They are using a winch with chains, not jerking and pulling with a half ton pick up truck, I think a big difference. They always pull from the back where all of the heavy rigging and steel protecting the body is as well. I've seen first hand a chain break and take out a windshield and could be worse. I wouldn't take the chance.