Offroad Recovery Gear Questions

[lolzhax]

I used aluminum, I used synthetic line, I used all the lightest stuff money can buy. I even purchased a winch based on reputation and its weight. I had synthetic line way before it became popular. Still came out around 400 lbs of stuff. Had it been iron or steel, closer to 500 or more. There is no right or wrong, just understand to whom you are addressing. 25 plus years experience has taught me to run as light as is possible.

That's crazy, I'm not sure how you managed to get to 400lbs from rope and aluminum pulleys. My entire recovery kit including straps, 4 pulleys, soft shackles, and a 30 ft freedom rope weighs in at 52.8 lbs... It all fits between 2 bags that are strapped to my roll bars in the jeep.

I don't carry a hi-lift but I know those aren't 350 lbs. I have a bottle jack that can lift the axle for tire changes.

 

[MOAK]

That's crazy, I'm not sure how you managed to get to 400lbs from rope and aluminum pulleys. My entire recovery kit including straps, 4 pulleys, soft shackles, and a 30 ft freedom rope weighs in at 52.8 lbs... It all fits between 2 bags that are strapped to my roll bars in the jeep.

I don't carry a hi-lift but I know those aren't 350 lbs. I have a bottle jack that can lift the axle for tire changes.

First off- with the 80 series I used to run, the front bumper alone weighed 150 lbs. another 50 lbs for the second AGM battery. Winch 75lbs, etc etc etc.

A comparable bumper on our current truck would way close to 225 lbs. add a winch and plate- 100lbs +/- add 2nd AGM battery- 45lbs. add 4 iron d rings, 15-20lbs , Hi lift 25-30lbs, hi lift accessories, 15-20 lbs. straps and tree saver maybe 12 lbs. it adds up fast- very fast. You not only have the extraction gear, you have to have all the other stuff that will support the extraction gear. Upon reflection it adds up to less than 500lbs, somewhere around 400- for the F-350. The 80 series had about 325 +/- extra lbs.

 

[lolzhax]

First off- with the 80 series I used to run, the front bumper alone weighed 150 lbs. another 50 lbs for the second AGM battery. Winch 75lbs, etc etc etc.

A comparable bumper on our current truck would way close to 225 lbs. add a winch and plate- 100lbs +/- add 2nd AGM battery- 45lbs. add 4 iron d rings, 15-20lbs , Hi lift 25-30lbs, hi lift accessories, 15-20 lbs. straps and tree saver maybe 12 lbs. it adds up fast- very fast. You not only have the extraction gear, you have to have all the other stuff that will support the extraction gear. Upon reflection it adds up to less than 500lbs, somewhere around 400- for the F-350. The 80 series had about 325 +/- extra lbs.

So you no longer have a bumper or a winch? I guess that's a decision you made to limit yourself on places that you can camp. I wouldn't consider bumpers part of the recovery equipment since that's trail armor, IMO. It's non-negotiable for where I go.

Here I am, questioning whether I should change up to a Gladiator and a Four Wheel Camper because it might be too big to get to some of my favorite fishing and camp spots. Sounds like you're driving a barge.

 

[genocache]

Any added weight in either recovery or protection is a concern. I would like to have rock sliders on my 109 but the added weight takes away from the amount of gear(and quality of camp life) I can take, based on my GVW. Then it restricts where I can go, such as Dusy Ershim, Rubicon, Moab, Sand Hollow, if I don't want to take on body damage.
For sure, some one driving an Earth Roamer isn't doing the same back roads in Nevada as I. It's part of the bargain we make when we decide on a vehicle. You do you, let others be themselves.

 

[MOAK]

So you no longer have a bumper or a winch? I guess that's a decision you made to limit yourself on places that you can camp. I wouldn't consider bumpers part of the recovery equipment since that's trail armor, IMO. It's non-negotiable for where I go.

Here I am, questioning whether I should change up to a Gladiator and a Four Wheel Camper because it might be too big to get to some of my favorite fishing and camp spots. Sounds like you're driving a barge.

True- after having had 2 vehicles over the course of 22 years, an outfitted ‘04 Rubicon then an 80 series that were capable of traversing 99.9% of all legal roads in North America, we now have a very capable truck that’ll get us through 99% of all legal roads. Interestinginhly- the Landcruiser fully loaded with all our gear scaled out at 7,000 lbs dragging a 1,500 lb trailer. The F-350 flatbed with Grandby and fully loaded with all our gear scales out at 10500 lbs., just under GVWR, no winch, no heavy aftermart bumper. Every pound counts. I’ve priced the aluminum bumpers- yikes.

 

[lolzhax]

Every pound counts. I’ve priced the aluminum bumpers- yikes.

Aluminum in a real rough environment becomes a wear item also.. It will with stand some hits but they dent and get damaged with repeated abuse.

My next vehicle I'll probably do it anyways, just to be weight conscious in some areas. For me at least, the bumpers and winch are non-negotiable. We live an hour from the Rubicon trail and often find ourselves doing steep angled drops and climbs, and getting over boulders to get into some of our favorite camping and fishing spots. Some of our forest roads and off-shoots get pretty rough, even when you're not on a named 4x4 trail.