Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

How to pull a vehicle out of a ditch?

Old Aug 13, 2009 | 12:36 PM
  #1  
shooter5635's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Carbondale, Illinois
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
Default How to pull a vehicle out of a ditch?

Hey Guys!

Im new to the Jeep community but im glad to finally be apart of it. I live in northern Illinois and we can get some bad snow and ice storms, and some of my friends have already told me in getting the call if they need to be pulled out of a ditch. Only problem is i dont know how to do so correctly so i figured i'd ask around before i try doing so this upcomming winter. Any suggestions on how? Im putting a rear hitch on my cherokee once i get the money, but thats it. Will i still be able to pull people out? What kind of straps should i use?
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 12:55 PM
  #2  
UserID6095's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
Model: Cherokee
Default

Something like this for the hitch will help..



or...

Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 01:07 PM
  #3  
Firestorm500's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Default

Jeeps are pretty tough, but I would leave the recovery to professionals.

Property damage and/or personal injury are real possibilities.

Not to mention the liability involved.

Thats why wrecker companies have to have a $1,000,000 + umbrella insurance policy.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 01:29 PM
  #4  
hedbutter's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

and if you do decide to help


that is def. not how.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 01:43 PM
  #5  
builtnotbought89''s Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Pulling people out isn't rocket science! Thought the pull points on the car in need will very so u need to hook up to the most solid steel u can get to under there car!
The hitches dude recomended are definatly a plus! U will want a tow strap (NOT A CHAIN), with all that just hook up to the car!
Now put ur jeep in 4low & 1st gear take it slow & if 1 of ur rear tires starts to spin freely pull ur E-brake up just about 1/2 the way!!!
Good luck & welcome to the jeeping community/cherokeeforums.com
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 01:46 PM
  #6  
Abovetimberline's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 11
From: Chico,ca
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

xjs are pretty like and in snow or ice it is going to want to slide sideways,if I had a choice I would try and winch them out if you can.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 02:05 PM
  #7  
caged's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i'd leave it up to the professionals, it's not how you hook up to your jeep, as much as how you hook up to the car.
without the correct hooks and know where to hook them, you can do serious damage or injury.

cars don't have recovery points like we do on our jeeps.
they have certain reinforced recovery slots in the frame that require proper hooks for each different car/truck/minivan.

and not to mention, it's illegal to block a road without a police attendant.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 02:24 PM
  #8  
XJSETH's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 0
From: Aurora
Year: 1997 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO JASPER MOTOR
Default

Winch or no dice. honestly if you dont know what your doing then dont do it. just call someone who does.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 03:53 PM
  #9  
ltlgreenXJ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Millburn, NJ
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0HO
Default

that video was painful to watch
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 03:55 PM
  #10  
COSXJFAN's Avatar
Do you hear banjos?
Premium Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,644
Likes: 6
Model: Cherokee
Default

I have an easy solution to your problem. If it is not a Jeep, then keep on driving!! Jeeps won't wind up in a ditch anyway, so you are free to play in the snow this winter!! LOL!!













J/K!! Just be safe with any and all extractions!!
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 03:59 PM
  #11  
nw-xj-scott's Avatar
Registered Users
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: NW Oregon
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i pulled a brand new SRT magnum out of the sand once, i had to be very careful. but i was comfertable doing it..

If you dont know what your doing, its not hard to cause 5 grand in damage. do not get pressured into helping someone. if your friends are all sure they will be in the ditch... then tell them to ride public transportation.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 04:42 PM
  #12  
tyrhine's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

I don't mean to hijack. but whats the ebrake trick do?
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 05:19 PM
  #13  
4.3L XJ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Default

Well now that most everyone has advised you to not pull anyone out of the ditch, you will still get those calls and feel compelled to help. I would. I've been pulling people out for years and have developed a few rules to go by.

First, establish good towing points. Those gizmos shown up at the top of the page fit into a class 2 or 3 receiver hitch. If you are going to pull something, a receiver hitch is a good thing. Get one that fits an XJ and one of those inserts. Front towing hooks are a good idea also. You never know.

Second, get yourself a nice stretchy recovery strap. These are invaluable. They take up the shock of little mistakes and such. Most straps only have loops on the end so you will need a clevis or something. Personally, I have two foot chains with hooks on both ends of mine. Nobody cares much for this idea, but if you have to pull one of your buddies out that doesn't have towing points, you can wrap the chain around and axle or something else solid that you can't fit that clevis around.

Third, and this is important. You hook up your own vehicle, and let your buddy hook up his. That way if you pull something off, you are not to blame. Conversely, if you rip something off, you have only your self to blame. Besides, if they are in a huge mud hole, they get to be muddy.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 05:44 PM
  #14  
caged's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i guess i can't embed from youtube?

Last edited by caged; Aug 13, 2009 at 05:46 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 05:45 PM
  #15  
caged's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

here, maybe you can learn something from these guys. haha

Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:27 PM.