Hey guys winters coming and we all know it sucks to get stuck be it in snow, mud or all those random places we jeeprs like to go...

I keep the usual, axe, shovel and toe strap in the car for emergencies.

but heres the problem what if i get stuck alone?(as in one vehicle)

what are some things i can get to aid me in getting unstuck?(preferably on the cheap)

*oh yeah side note, this tow strap was a gift and while it fits the load requirements, it only has loop ends. i made a chain grabber hook for my receiver hitch but what about someone pulling me out without tow hooks? how can i still use this strap?*

 

A come-along would be your best bet for the cheap side. if you have a custom front or rear bumper with a 2 in receiver you probably buy a winch and fab up a mount that fits it into the receiver. Either that or maybe a high lift jack and then just put rocks or something under your tires so you can get some traction.

 

a come along is the best cheap security. and it's harder to steal because it doesn't hang out in the front. might take some extra time, but most times you just need a little push to get out. also, you can use the come along to correct a near rollover, whereas winch is only front pull.

 

A highlift jack is also useful. One: it can be used as a come along, Two: it can be used to lift you out of sticky stuff so you can dig out or stack rocks under the wheels. Not to mention it is a must you have a lifted vehicle because the factory bottle jack is about useless.

 

you can loop it around something like a tree and take one end and go thru the other end and hook the open end to your hook

 

A hi-lift would be your best bet for cheap recovery because it does so many things. Learn how to use it like a come along, and get some of the attachments for it. Its a great multi-use tool

 

Come along and Highlift jack. Tractor Supply has a really nice Reese Towpower highlift that I swear by. Sucker has gotten me out of several sticky, nasty spots.

 

any recommended brands/models/weights rating, for a come-along?

and what about a high lift jack and accessories?

 

Just go to Harbor Freight and pick one up. Or any Home Depot or Lowes should carry come-alongs too. Your best bet would be the 8000lb come-along from harbor freight for $26.00. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...&q=come+alongs

 

I got one of these at Pep Boy's auto parts. It's actually rated to lift 8000 lbs, although I don't recommend standing under a load like that.

Anyway it works well.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/64090122-b...puller-tr8041/

 

As has been said, a Hi-lift and a second tow strap. Loops are better than hooks as loops won't smash through a window if the strap breaks under load. You can pass one loop through the other if you need to. The Hi-lift can be used as a come along, a taller jack (which you need a bigger one if you've lifted your XJ at all), and they extra attachments that make it an incredible tool to have. My Hi-lift and 2 straps have gotten me out a quite a few situations. Northern Tool, Harbor Freight, and Tractor Supply will all carry them for good prices.

 

Yes, do not use chains or straps with hook ends for vehicle recovery. They are very dangerous. I carry a tree strap, two recovery straps, a high lift jack, a high lift base, a shovel, an axe, CO2 tank, a winch, and an emergency kit with extra clothes and some snacks.

You may not have the money or the need for everything at this time, but I would say the minimum would be a tree strap, a 20 foot 2 inch recovery strap, and a high lift jack. You can use the high lift and the two straps as a winch to get your self unstuck.

 

rule no 1 in 4x4 is never go alone

 

That is the rule, but everyone should still have recovery equipment.
I'm retired and since I go wheeling maybe two or three times a week, sometimes I do go on a short trail ride by myself. I never go anywhere I can not get cell phone service and never do any hard wheeling, and most importantly I have what I need to get myself unstuck.

 

Yeah that's the rule, but there are times when you go out by yourself and need to get unstuck. If I have any doubt about getting out of something on my own, I don't try it.