Colin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 4-1-2005
Location: Ashland, Oregon
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Basic recovery gear for light 4wd?
Hi,
I'm going to be exploring baja for 3 weeks in my Toyota Tacoma 4x4. We'll be doing some light 4x4ing to get to camp spots ... nothing too gnarly. We
won't have a second rig with us to pull us out, so I want to make sure I'm prepared in case we get stuck.
Here's what I got so far:
2000 toyota tacoma 4x4 reg. cab
arb bumper
new 31" 6ply wildcat all season tires
new 31" spare
48" hi-lift jack
20' 5,000 lb. tow strap
little piece of plywood to set base of jack on
I don't have any shackles/rope/chain yet. What all do I need to pick up?
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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shovel (s).
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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#1 thing is an air compressor so you can air down your tires. I have a Quick Air compressor. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to air up my 31s from
12psi to 36psi. I think it cost me $299 many years ago.
happy trails
zac
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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a come along is nice to have and also if you cut 2 long peaces of plywood to fit the bottom of your bed it will be useful for many things including
getting out when you git stuck.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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bajaloco
Nomad
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Location: Huntington Beach, California
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Mood: wishin I was fishin
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Pick up an air compressor... You may need to air down your tires to get out of soft sand. It also makes washboard roads alot easier on your
suspension. And as Woody said a good shovel. A couple more pieces of plywood comes in handy under the tires.
Bring extra water, worth it's weight in gold if you don't have any.
[Edited on 4-4-2005 by bajaloco]
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Colin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 4-1-2005
Location: Ashland, Oregon
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I have a little air compressor that plugs into the cig lighter deal. The psi gauge is messed up on it though ... need to get a little tire gauge. I
also cary a shovel with me (always ... i dig out of snow a lot).
I'm planning on cutting a couple pieces of plywood to fit between the weels under the body to serve as an additional wind screen. I should be able to
use these if I get stuck in soft stuff.
I'm wondering what I should bring as a winch line? I have that 20' tow strap, but that's not real far. For that Toyota, would I need cable or chain or
would rope work? If rope would work, what sort is best for winching with the hi-lift?
Thanks!
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Colin
I have a little air compressor that plugs into the cig lighter deal. The psi gauge is messed up on it though ... need to get a little tire gauge. I
also cary a shovel with me (always ... i dig out of snow a lot).
I'm planning on cutting a couple pieces of plywood to fit between the weels under the body to serve as an additional wind screen. I should be able to
use these if I get stuck in soft stuff.
I'm wondering what I should bring as a winch line? I have that 20' tow strap, but that's not real far. For that Toyota, would I need cable or chain or
would rope work? If rope would work, what sort is best for winching with the hi-lift?
Thanks! |
a tow chine is just like some other things the longer the better. although some will tell you it is not the length it is how you use it but those are
the always the ones that have short ones 
[Edited on 4-5-2005 by Bruce R Leech]
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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You can buy a 2-ton cum-a-long for cheap with about 25' of cable attached.
If you're going near the sand and don't like to walk the trail first, get a sand-screw, anchor. They screw into sand and screw back out if you don't
bend them too much.
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Colin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 4-1-2005
Location: Ashland, Oregon
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Is this the type of sand screw you're talking about?
http://www.absak.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/81...
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Colin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 4-1-2005
Location: Ashland, Oregon
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Or maybe one of these:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12754...
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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For use with the Hi-Lift, get steel cable rather that a rope or tow strap. The rope will just stretch. Ask me how I know...
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1922
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Equipment
I second the vote for extra water - startin' to warm up in lots of places.
Maybe I misunderstand your tow strap description - most common is a 30 foot long, 20,000 pound "snatch strap." Of course with just one vehicle it
might be tough to pull yourself out, hence the extra water to provide a margin of safety so that you are able to enjoy the time and scenery while
waiting for someone to come along.
If you have not used it before I'd suggest you practice once using the Hi-Lift or anything else you are bringing along for this sort of situation. For
instance - what points on the vehicle would you try to attach the jack for lifting? They make lots of Hi-lift attachments to use with a variely of
bumper styles. If you haven't used one you might be surprised how quickly they release to let the load down. Also, they really tend to lean as you
lift higher and higher.
Instead of "a little piece of plywood" I'd prefer something more substantial as a base for the Hi-Lift.
Low air pressure sure helps to unstuck yourself, having a way to re-inflate is awfully nice too. A bottle jack is a handy item to have - they don't
take up much room, of course the factory jack may work just as well.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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[If you have not used it before I'd suggest you practice once using the Hi-Lift or anything else you are bringing along for this sort of situation.
For instance - what points on the vehicle would you try to attach the jack for lifting? They make lots of Hi-lift attachments to use with a variely of
bumper styles. If you haven't used one you might be surprised how quickly they release to let the load down. Also, they really tend to lean as you
lift higher and higher.]
So true. Keep the jack lubed. They also have an attachment that fits your into your rims if the opennings are large enough. Of course it could scratch
or mark the rim if used. There is also a plastic base for the jack available.
Another item you may consider is one of the portable winches available at Harbor Freight or most auto parts stores for about $40 to $70. Rated at
2000lbs dead weight and 6000 rolling weight. You can buy a doubler ring (I forget the actual name of it) that doubles the pulling capacity. Remember
anytime your using a winch to put a blanket, coat or heavy towel on the line in case it breaks, it won't whip back and hurt someone.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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When you are in a wide arroyo or a big sandy beach... if you get stuck, it is because you 1) forgot to put it in 4WD or lock the hubs 2) have too much
air in the tires...!!! Air down to 10-15 PSI before sand driving... However if you got stuck first... Clear away the sand from in front of all four
tires, then deflate until you see them buldge (usually below 15 PSI)... You will drive right out... no jacking, wenching, or much work...
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