[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Article and photos by Mercedes Lilienthal<\/em><\/p>\n The world of overlanding or off-road adventure is exciting, but it can also be daunting for people just getting into it. Along with outfitting your rig and planning the perfect Holiday trip, assembling a vehicle recovery kit is just as important\u2014no matter if you\u2019re doing 100% tarmac travel, spending time in the sand dunes, or rock crawling in the mountains. I sat down with a few industry experts to talk about recovery kit basics for the winter travel season.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Andy Lilienthal*, Strategic Communications Manager for WARN Industries, has been in the off-road industry for nearly 13 years. He\u2019s well versed in recovery equipment, appropriate recovery techniques, and winching instruction. Over the last several years, we\u2019ve traveled together to numerous off-road and overlanding events, hosted several yearly winching technique and recovery courses, and together own three customized 4\u00d74 rigs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul Cooper, Lead Instructor of Canada\u2019s Overlanding BC is also a seasoned professional when it comes to vehicular recovery. He\u2019s taught classes all over the United States and Canada, and in a variety of settings. Both Andy and Paul agree that it\u2019s key to invest in a good basic recovery kit. Your kit should have high quality items that are appropriate for the recovery points on your vehicle and have consideration for the type of terrain and environment(s) you will be traveling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are some basic items you should have in your kit.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cA tree trunk protector strap should be in every recovery kit. Chains and wire ropes can damage trees during vehicle recovery. A tree protector strap allows you to make use of these natural anchors without destroying them,\u201d says Andy. \u201cUse a tree trunk protector as a rigging strap in combination with a screw pin shackle to secure winch rope or straps to anchor points and objects.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tree trunk straps, which are non-flexible or stretchable, should only be used via winching recoveries and not via a vehicle-to-vehicle recovery (as they do not allow for kinetic energy build-up, otherwise known as the \u201crubber band effect\u201d). Andy also says to be sure to check the tree for rot or anything else that might not make it sufficient as an anchor point. This includes being too small or rotted out. Always place the tree strap low on the tree\u2019s trunk, too.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A recovery strap is also important to have. A recovery strap may also be known as a kinetic energy or snatch strap\u2014meaning the nylon webbing absorbs the shock of heavy pulls while elastic rebound energy aids in vehicle to vehicle recoveries. These types of straps \u201cpop\u201d a stuck vehicle out of whatever they\u2019re stuck in. They\u2019re incredibly effective if used correctly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese can save the day or can easily cause massive and serious damage to machines and people. Be sure to get some training (or at the very least online research) before you use them. Go easy and try the \u2018least amount of force\u2019 the first few attempts while recovering a stuck vehicle,\u201d Paul mentions. These straps should never be used for winching.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cChains can also be very useful when on the trail (they work well when winching with a Hi-Lift jack),\u201d Paul exclaims. \u201cThey are also great for moving unexpected obstacles off the road, like fallen trees, boulders etc. I pack a high quality 10 ft. \u2018choker chain.\u2019 The hoods are designed to positively engage the chain links. I would never use the chain for vehicle to vehicle recovery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A minimum of two to three screw pin shackles should be included. \u201cThese shackles get their name as they\u2019re a bow-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, usually threaded in from one direction,\u201d says Andy. \u201cThey are also known as bow shackles or even D-shackles although technically they aren\u2019t D rings.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n These shackles are useful as they allow for different rigging configurations to be connected or disconnected quickly. Great for connecting winch lines or recovery straps to a stuck vehicle. \u201cScrew pin shackles should be forged and not cast. Although cast metal is often cheaper, recovery equipment that is cast may have air pockets and bubbles within them that can compromise the product\u2019s strength,\u201d says Andy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Forged items are more stable, durable, and are solid. Cast items are heated above their melting temperature and poured into a mold where they solidify. Forged items are physically forced into shape while remaining in a solid state, hence alleviating air pockets and bubbles. Paul likes WARN or Crosby shackles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another option, Paul states, is to have soft shackles on hand. Soft shackles are made from synthetic rope and are lightweight and easy to handle, but can be more prone to abrasion. A snatch block is an integral accessory to possess if you own a winch. Andy states that snatch blocks allow you to change the angle of your winch pull or can effectively double your winch\u2019s pulling capacity if you were to double-line to a stuck vehicle and back to yourself. This tool creates double the pulling capacity but at half the speed.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Snatch blocks are basically a pulley with a side that swings open. Because the side opens up, you don\u2019t have to thread your winch cable through the opening; instead, you open the side plate, align the cable over the pulley, and then close the side plate. A snatch block has two primary functions in recovery winching. One is to change the direction of your winch cable when the anchor point is offset. The second is to increase the pulling power of your winch and cable.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n We don\u2019t travel without a <\/span>good tire patch kit<\/span><\/a>. No matter if you\u2019re pounding thousands of miles of pavement or adventuring in the mountains, having a good kit (that includes replacement valve accessories, tire patch materials, a good tire gauge, etc.) can mean the difference between quickly and successfully repairing an issue or waiting hours for AAA or a tow truck if you don\u2019t have a good spare.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A good patch kit should include all the components necessary to repair tubeless radial or bias ply tires, without removing the tire from the vehicle or rim. Winching gloves (or any kind of heavy duty gloves) are beneficial when doing recovery. Not only do they save your hands from rope burn or burrs, they allow for added grip when handling recovery accessories.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/01-Axe-and-Chore-Gloves.png” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”01 Axe and Chore Gloves” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ url_new_window=”on” url=”https:\/\/store.overlandbound.com\/collections\/off-road-safety\/products\/axe-and-chore-gloves”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/02-Utility-and-Field-Bag.png” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”02 Utility and Field Bag” url=”https:\/\/store.overlandbound.com\/collections\/organization\/products\/axe-utility-bag” url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Recovery products can be both bulky and heavy. Getting a heavyweight carrying bag is key. Whether you decide upon a tote bag like a Watershed waterproof duffle bag or backpack style bag like the WARN Epic Recovery kit backpack, using a durable bag is important. \u201cA great bag to keep all of your wares together is key, so it\u2019s all there when you need it,\u201d says Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Having a basic medical kit is critical. We keep two kits on hand, a customized medium-sized one we compiled whose contents are kept in a generic fishing tackle box. (Chris Solis, Overland Bound Medical Ambassador, has prepared <\/span>a list with his full kit here)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Adding other items to your med kit can also be beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/04-FAK.png” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” alt=”First Aid Kit ready to be packed out.” title_text=”04 FAK” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/03-FAK.png” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”03 FAK” url=”https:\/\/store.overlandbound.com\/collections\/off-road-safety\/products\/overland-bound-3-in-1-med-kit” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n *Editor\u2019s Note: Andy Lilienthal is a subject matter expert and the author\u2019s husband. No compensation was granted to any of the contributors or companies represented in product recommendations for this article; however, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the Amazon links on this page.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The world of overlanding or off-road adventure is exciting, but it can also be daunting for people just getting into it. Along with outfitting your rig and planning the perfect trip, assembling a vehicle recovery kit is just as important\u2014no matter if you\u2019re doing 100% tarmac travel, spending time in the sand dunes, or rock crawling in the mountains. I sat down with a few industry experts to talk about recovery kit basics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":34513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Article and photos by Mercedes LilienthalThe world of overlanding or off-road adventure is exciting, but it can also be daunting for people just getting into it. Along with outfitting your rig and planning the perfect trip, assembling a vehicle recovery kit is just as important\u2014no matter if you\u2019re doing 100% tarmac travel, spending time in the sand dunes, or rock crawling in the mountains. I sat down with a few industry experts to talk about recovery kit basics.\n\nAndy Lilienthal*, Strategic Communications Manager for WARN Industries, has been in the off-road industry for nearly 13 years. He\u2019s well versed in recovery equipment, appropriate recovery techniques, and winching instruction.Over the last several years, we\u2019ve traveled together to numerous off-road and overlanding events, hosted several yearly winching technique and recovery courses, and together own three customized 4x4 rigs.Paul Cooper, Lead Instructor of Canada\u2019s Overlanding BC is also a seasoned professional when it comes to vehicular recovery. He\u2019s taught classes all over in the United States and Canada, and in a variety of settings. Both Andy and Paul agree that it\u2019s key to invest in a good basic recovery kit. Your kit should have high quality items that are appropriate for the recovery points on you vehicle and have consideration for the type of terrain and environment(s) you will be traveling. Here are some basic items you should have in your kit.\n\u201cA tree trunk protector strap should be in every recovery kit. Chains and wire ropes can damage trees during vehicle recovery. A tree protector strap allows you to make use of these natural anchors without destroying them,\u201d says Andy. \u201cUse a tree trunk protector as a rigging strap in combination with a screw pin shackle to secure winch rope or straps to anchor points and objects.\u201d Tree trunk straps, which are non-flexible or stretchable, should only be used via winching recoveries and not via a vehicle-to-vehicle recovery (as they do now allow for kinetic energy build-up, otherwise known as the \u201crubber band effect\u201d). Andy also says to be sure to check the tree for rot or anything else that might not make it sufficient as an anchor point. This includes being too small or rotted out. Always place the tree strap low on the tree\u2019s trunk, too. A recovery strap is also important to have. A recovery strap may also be known as a kinetic energy or snatch strap\u2014meaning the nylon webbing absorbs the shock of heavy pulls while elastic rebound energy aids in vehicle to vehicle recoveries. These types of straps \"pop\" a stuck vehicle out of whatever they\u2019re stuck in. They\u2019re incredibly effective at if used correctly. \u201cThese can save the day or can easily cause massive and serious damage to machine and people. Be sure to get some training (or at the very least online research) before you use them. Go easy and try the \u2018least amount of force\u2019 the first few attempts while recovering a stuck vehicle,\u201d Paul mentions.These straps should never be used for winching.\u201cChains can also be very useful when on the trail (they work well when winching with a Hi-Lift jack),\u201d Paul exclaims. \u201cThey are also great for moving unexpected obstacles off the road, like fallen trees, boulder etc. I pack a high quality 10 ft. \u2018choker chain.\u2019 The hoods are designed to positively engage the chain links. I would never use the chain for vehicle to vehicle recovery.\u201d\nA minimum of two to three screw pin shackles should be included. \u201cThese shackles get their name as they\u2019re a bow-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, usually threaded in from one direction,\u201d says Andy. \u201cThey are also known as bow shackles or even D-shackles although technically they aren\u2019t D rings.\u201d These shackles are useful as they allow for different rigging configurations to be connected or disconnected quickly. Great for connecting winch lines or recovery straps to a stuck vehicle.\u201cScrew pin shackles should be forged and not cast. Although cast metal is often cheaper, recovery equipment that is cast may have air pockets and bubbles within them that can compromise the product\u2019s strength,\u201d says Andy. Forged items are more stable, durable, and are solid. Cast items are heated above their melting temperature and poured into a mold where they solidify. Forged items are physically forced into shape while remaining in a solid state, hence alleviating air pockets and bubbles. Paul likes WARN or Crosby shackles. Another option, Paul states, is to have soft shackles on hand. Soft shackles are made from synthetic rope and are lightweight and easy to handle, but can be more prone to abrasion.A snatch block is an integral accessory to possess if you own a winch. Andy states that snatch blocks allow you to change the angle of your winch pull or can effectively double your winch\u2019s pulling capacity if you were to double-line to a stuck vehicle and back to yourself. This tool creates double the pulling capacity but at half the speed.Snatch blocks are basically a pulley with a side that swings open. Because the side opens up, you don\u2019t have to thread your winch cable through the opening; instead, you open the side plate, align the cable over the pulley, and then close the side plate.A snatch block has two primary functions in recovery winching. One is to change the direction of your winch cable when the anchor point is offset. The second is to increase the pulling power of your winch and cable.We don\u2019t travel without a good tire patch kit<\/a>. No matter if you\u2019re pounding thousands of miles of pavement or adventuring in the mountains, having a good kit (that includes replacement valve accessories, tire patch materials, a good tire gauge, etc.) can mean the difference between quickly and successfully repairing an issue or waiting hours for AAA or a tow truck if you don\u2019t have a good spare.\nA good patch kit should include all the components necessary to repair tubeless radial or bias ply tires, without removing the tire from the vehicle or rim.Winching gloves (or any kid of heavy duty gloves) are beneficial when doing recovery. Not only do they save your hands from rope burn or burrs, they allow for added grip when handling recovery accessories.\nRecovery products can be both bulky and heavy. Getting a heavyweight carrying bag is key. Whether you decide upon a tote bag like a Watershed waterproof duffle bag or backpack style bag like the WARN Epic Recovery kit backpack, using a durable bag is important. \u201cA great bag to keep all of your wares together is key, so it\u2019s all there when you need it,\u201d says Paul.Having a basic medical kit is critical. We keep two kits on hand, a customized medium-sized one we compiled whose contents are kept in a generic fishing tackle box. (Chris Solis, Overland Bound Medical Ambassador, has prepared a list with his full kit here<\/a>.Adding other items to your recovery kit can also be beneficial. In my next article, we\u2019ll talk about what gear to have when adventuring in certain types of terrain: tarmac, desert and sand dunes, mountain trails, as well as rocky areas. We\u2019ll also cover what items you should spend money on and what items could you skimp on, if necessary. Stay tuned!*Editors Note: Andy Lilienthal is a subject matter expert and the author's husband. No compensation was granted to any of the contributors or companies represented in product recommendations for this article; however, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the Amazon links on this page.","_et_gb_content_width":"1260","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,35,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28403","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gear","category-getting-started","category-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28403"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28403\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/34513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.overlandbound.com\/marketing-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Tree Trunk Straps<\/span><\/h3>\n
Recovery Strap<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nChains and Shackles<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nSnatch Blocks<\/h3>\n
Patch Kit<\/h3>\n
Med Kit<\/span><\/h3>\n