Poll: How important is a shovel in your 4 wheeling recovery arsenal?

[DShanesky]

I currently have a winch, 4 drings, a tow strap, tree saver, and four solid recovery points. I am wondering how important these Swiss Army knife type shovels are to everyone’s recovery gear. Some people swear by them. Just wanted to get some thoughts.
I am attaching a picture of one that I am looking at on amazon. Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[ToolMan514]

I thought it was a poll? 100% always have a shovel (of some sort) when you go somewhere that you plan to use 4LO. Or just always have one on-board. I'm also in Canada where 1 full-size dirt shovel for offroad turns to 3 in winter for snow clearing. The Scout in me says to always be prepared! I keep them tied-up above the sport bar in the back.

 

[DOOKEY]

You dig the hole before you shit. Not the other way around.

 

[thecritter]

I keep the folding type from Army Navy store. Light compact and priceless when needed. Granted I am not in a really rocky part of the country.

 

[AirportDave]

To me it's the most important tool of all- so many uses, and I never wheel without one. I strongly recommend the "MurderSpork" from Krazy Beaver Tools. https://krazybeavertools.com/collections/frontpage

 

[Stuckinthesand]

I have never used it but I sure do have one. If I could take only one thing it’d be a shovel. You’d be surprised what you can do with them.

 

[Notorious]

A shovel is needed when in deep shit.

 

[AirportDave]

It's not. Never used one on the trail for recovery. Have only used a pick axe once on the trail....and we opened a LOT of trails...but they were all rockcrawling ones. If I dealt with snow/mud/sand...a shovel might make more sense.

So here in Colorado, many campers have no concept of properly quenching your campfire, even when there's a statewide fire ban like Colorado has presently and you're not even supposed to have one in the first place. The most common use I've had for my shovel off road is smothering abandoned smoldering campfires left behind by these thoughtless a-holes.

 

[MarkY3130]

Never carried one and never needed one. I only do rock crawling though.

Very little camping and I avoid mud and snow wheeling. Otherwise I’d probably want one.

To your list above, I’d add a couple snatch blocks, soft shackles, and another short strap (wrapping around a rzr or the like that doesn’t have a recovery point) before a shovel.

 

[nostatic]

I have two in the JL, one of the Rhino folding and one bigger one about the same size as the crazy beaver (but a Lowes brand - good quality, much less money). We have a lot of sand and soft stuff around here. Since it is a multitasker, at least one is always in the vehicle.

 

[RedundanT]

Korean war surplus folding shovel been in my rigs since the 80's. Just make sure the handle is sturdy.

 

[JLJeeper]

A shovel is a must where I live in Northern Nevada. I definitely wouldn’t go off road without one!

 

[Abend]

I haven't needed one yet but I carry a small folding entrenching tool type shovel since it doesn't take up much space. I agree with others - it really depends on your terrain. If you're out in the rocks all the time, a shovel isn't going to be too useful. In sand or snow, it's going to be way more important.

 

[jlopes68]

a shovel is very useful. i carry a small non folding garden shovel that bungees in cab vertical to the roll bar so its always handy.

 

[word302]

That's a camping use...not a recovery one.

Also the wrong way to smother a fire.

Sponsored