just regular 2wd limited slip...i figured ehh i dont need to lock the hubs and with 44in tires i thought hell shouldnt be a problem but it was so wet and slick i just spun those tires...i decided then to just use the winch instead of using 4x4.. i have an auburn limited slip unit in the front so it probably would have worked..just curious as i was suprised i was spinning in 2wd with my tires

 

I have a LOT of experience pulling vehicle out of trouble (mud, rocks, ditches, sand, etc).

I NEVER pull a vehicle out with the tow vehicle in reverse (it is VERY hard on your axles and you are pulling on the back side of your gears, the weak side).

If the vehicle looks stuck (not just on top of the ground and can't get traction) and I have access to a winch I would always us the winch (block the wheels of the tow rig and winch the stuck vehicle out). If you don't have a winch, pull them from the rear of your truck in the lowest gear you have (low range, 4x4, etc). Use a tow strap or better "****** strap" with shackles, NEVER tow hooks. DO NOT Tug (let it slack and get a running start), let the strap get tight, and then pull (make sure both vehicles can "talk" to each other).

Yes, you do have to be very carefull about pulling people out near the road, it is very easy to do damage (or they got damage when they went in and claim you did it) and you can easily be held liable. It is unfortunate but very true. I have totally given up helping people stuck in ditches due to several people I know having issues with this. As long as the people are safe, have access to a phone, etc. let them call the tow truck to help them out. Unfortuante, but a reality.

Michael

 

cool pictures...

 

michael u might want to include this into ur post, For safety sake to, u might want to buy tow ropes that are a little bit heavier duty then what ur trucks rated for. Breaking tow ropes is a bad thing and if u break alot, it can cost alot more then just buying a couple heavy duty ones

 

Ditos on the Pictures Coolman. (I like the wreath)

I learned a lot about using tow straps. How long are your tow straps and what is the capacity Coolman?

 

If you think that breaking a tow strap is bad,you ought to see what happened to a buddies Blazer when his Warn 8000 cable broke and wrapped around his rig...Actually it was the hook on the other rig that broke and the hook and the cable hook came flying back and wrapped around.He had the style of controls where you could stand outside and he was lucky enuff to be standing behind the open drivers door when it came back at him and though it closed the door,he wasn't hurt.... It actually made an indentation in the body ALL the way around.. I had always told him to use a blanket on the hook to kinda dampen it if that ever happened and he didn't.. That is the only time I have seen a cable break and it was the first time he had used it...

 

Extractions of the simplest kinds when not done properly with the correct precautions can literally be DEADLY!!

Useing the correct equipment/tools for the job and the correct safetly practices (like a blanket on the cable!!!!) are VERY important.

Unfortunately we too often learn the hard way

Michael

 

2xtreme since you seem to know ALOT about winching,extracting vehicles etc.maybe you could make a little thread about it.alot of people dont know to much about it,as well we can always learn more.id be interested to know more