Using a ball hitch is a big no no because most ball hitches you can buy off the shelf are only rated for 7500lbs or less. Try finding a 10k lb rated ball hitch at an auto parts store, Walmart or Home Depot where most people who would get stuck in a ditch would shop for towing accessories.

If I had a 20k lb rated ball hitch I wouldn't hesitate to hook to it. Your tow hooks are only 10k rated.

 

I have become leery of doing a tow job for people stuck in the ditch... The last two went like this...

1; I pulled the guys car out no problem, as I was un-hooking my tow rope I noticed the guys tires were bald, I mean I wouldn't have used them in the summer let alone in winter, I shook my head and told the guy he shouldn't be on the road as he could end up killing someone in a head on, and I said you will be in the ditch again real soon, to that he said naw, I can make it. Anyways 1/2 a mile later there he was in the ditch again, flagging me down asking for another tow to which I said no, I offered him a ride to town to which he said no to, (nobody had cell phones back then) so I left him there, next day on my way back his car was still there...

2; I pull this guys car out of the ditch and stopped pulling, and he just keeps on backing up and would have hit my truck if the wife wasn't there watching all this and to yell at him to stop...

 

I carry a number of options when I travel. Just an FYI, there are some states where it is illegal to pull someone out of the median/ditch so be careful. I guess they want to limit the liability and possibly prevent an impaired driver from getting back on the road. Some have right-of-way issues while others may require a police report for a vehicle that has left the roadway.

 

Don’t use hitch ball

https://www.exploringoverland.com/ov...%20of%20safety.

 

Look at the drop on that hitch. Use some common sense.

 

Look at the hitch used. It’s a cheapie from the local Wally World; hollow shank! Setup for failure. I’d use my 21k rated SOLID shank pintle hitch for another vehicle recovery (using common sense; wouldn’t attempt pulling on something over 11k).

 

FWIW, I'm part of a volunteer off-road rescue group here in Colorado. As was said above, we 100% avoid anything that has a ball attached to it and that fatal accident was the first thing that came to my mind when I read that line. And yes, that was a stupid receiver design.

Now, on my own property, I've thrown a strap around a tree and both loops around my own receiver ball and have done many full pulls with a 2-to-1 ****** block (logging and stump pulling) and have never had a problem, but our group does not allow this on our recoveries. We also have an extensive liability form that gets signed before we touch the vehicle to be recovered. At the moment, we average in the neighborhood of 300 recoveries per year in Colorado.

It is also common to insert one of our own receiver's with a shackle attached to it. Until recently, I'd never used traction boards, but have been quite impressed with what you can do with them and they are low impact and low chance of causing damage to someone else's vehicle. Kinetic straps used with common sense are also an option, but finding a good hard point on modern vehicles can be a challenge. The other day we did a recovery of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not a single recovery point on that vehicle so we used cluster hooks to insert into the "frame". Worked fine, but again, you just have to be careful to find a spot that is re-enforced enough on a uni-body vehicle to pull from.

Another no-no for our group is pulling from any suspension component. However, personally, I've pulled on wheels many times without issue, but when I'm with our group, we follow the rules that have been established.

I still help when needed on my own time and assess the liability I'm assuming. I prefer low speed, low energy recoveries.

So far so good, but if it's too sketchy, I'd have no problem giving them a ride to town if necessary.

 

With the new truck having a 2-1/2” receiver, I’m selling all my 2” ball mounts on marketplace and picked up a Fastway HD 10” drop. Delivered yesterday. Thing is a moose! Rated for 20k. One ball mount for any situation I’ll run into, not counting the WDH for our camper. Would not be afraid to mount the strap to it to pull someone out.(Edit: With the ball set at lowest drop (top most) position.)

 

made this couple yrs ago but have yet to need it for any reason. neither for myself or someone else. depending on the situation i may just tell them to call a tow truck and go on about my day as ive no obligation to get people out of ditches

 

Part of the problem with society in general these days. I have rescued several people that could have easily died because of where and when they were stuck. Maybe someone else would have come along, maybe not.

While "obligated" might be a bit strong I do generally offer to help people in bad situations if I can. Seems like part of just being a decent human.

 

Nice welds on that fabrication

Had our first ice event for the season a few days back. All the usual suspects off the road. Stop and check for medical emergencies and call for a tow. Not many places around here where you can go off the side of the road and not have significant damage to the vehicle. Unfortunately being a nice guy sets you up to be blamed for that damage.

 

im not going to destroy my vehicle or risk getting stuck pulling someone elses vehicle unstuck. if its not safe they can call a tow. so theres that.
not sayin i would leave anyone to get frostbite and die.
most likely theyre in the ditch because a poor decision. ie driving to fast for conditions. texting and driving. poorly maintained vehicle. sorry but i cant fix stupid

 

thanks sir. not sure why i even made it honestly. probly was bored one day i suppose. made a few other things i may never need but oh well

 

Funny, I have never damaged a vehicle during a recovery much less "destroyed' one, or cause myself to be stuck... You might be doing it incorrectly...

They made a mistake, surely you never have, good choice to just condemn them automatically... I hope that karma doesn't revisit you.

It isn't just you, clearly there is a sizable group here that wouldn't be willing to assist their fellow man with anything that might be an inconvenience to them. I just do not understand that position...

 

ive no problem lending a hand if i can.
but what part of "if its not safe they can call a tow" dont you understand ?
if something might be damaged or more vehicles stuck and the situation made worse , they can call for professional assistance with better equipment , proper gear , and insurance against legal action.
good day and happy holidays