Stuck in the snow!

[Vawildjeep]

im not sure if there has already been a thread about this but I couldn’t find one. Being a new Jeep owner and with the snowy season already here for a lot of the northerners, I am wanting everyone to share their tips for pulling stuck vehicles out of the snow. What are the best tools to use, where do you hook up on your vehicle or the stuck vehicle? What if you don’t have a wench? This will hopefully save someone from ripping a bumper or an axle off of a strangers car or truck while trying to be a good samaritan.

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[jeremyjeep]

 

[Biscuit]

What if you don’t have a wench?(sic)

Dude, a wench is worthless if she can't suck the chrome off of a trailer hitch.

 

[DirtRoad1981]

That that rig doesn’t have its locker on its spinning right through the second axle. If that rig can back up easy it should roll into its gear easy it’s. Jeepnisnt pulling dead weight either... And the camera guy should be getting that shovel out for them tires on the left side...unless this is a spoof

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

When ever possible, I have the other driver attach the strap to their car. That way I am not liable for a ripped off bumper. A lot of cars have recovery hooks under the back, and the frame or axle is usually a safe bet. Most of the time your not pulling the whole weight of the car, just providing enough force to get them through the slick bit or through a plowed in driveway.

 

[Kajmcbride]

There are many different stuck in the snow scenarios, and different ways to approach each scenario. Your first concern is safety because of limited visibility and increased stopping distances.

I will start with the tools and supplies I have used getting a cars or trucks unstuck. Shovels are a must I like a couple long handled small steel square point shovels to dig in hard snow and ice and get as far under the frame as possible. I also like large grain scoops to clear around the vehicle and to clear an area in the direction of pull. Various tow straps, I like one that can stretch that has no hooks and one with at least one hook that I can put in a hole in the frame of the vehicle that is stuck as a last ditch recovery point. A receiver hitch shackle holder with D shackle that can be used on the stuck vehicle as a secure pull point. Tire chains on the tow vehicle can help with traction while pulling or winching. Lastly, traction aids like traction ramps and kitty litter or sand. These are just the main tools and supplies to help get the job done.


Look over the situation and make sure it is safe and develop a plan. If the vehicle is stuck in deep snow shovel around the vehicle and under the frame and body. Attach your strap, chain, or winch to a secure point on the body. Begin your pull with someone in the drivers seat of the stuck vehicle who understands the plan and bodies to push the stuck vehicle. Begin your pull and reassess of not the plan is not working. Once the vehicle is unstuck move to a safe point and remove all straps. When it is all done you can have fun playing in the snow in your Jeep.

 

[WXman]

That's the problem with modern cars, and why people who live in snowy climates are idiots if they drive cars; There is no good strap attachment point. Some cars have a small square cover on the front bumper that you can pop off and reveal a threaded hole to screw a tow hook into for emergency situations. This is always the best bet if possible. Otherwise you don't have much choice but to use a strap with a clevis hook on the end and try to find an A-arm or crossmember to connect to. You have to pull GENTLY in this scenario.

If you're pulling another SUV or truck it's much easier to find a frame attachment point or tow hook or receiver hitch to connect to.

I like the advice above about letting the owner of the stuck vehicle connect the strap.

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

That's the problem with modern cars, and why people who live in snowy climates are idiots if they drive cars; There is no good strap attachment point. Some cars have a small square cover on the front bumper that you can pop off and reveal a threaded hole to screw a tow hook into for emergency situations. This is always the best bet if possible. Otherwise you don't have much choice but to use a strap with a clevis hook on the end and try to find an A-arm or crossmember to connect to. You have to pull GENTLY in this scenario.

If you're pulling another SUV or truck it's much easier to find a frame attachment point or tow hook or receiver hitch to connect to.

I like the advice above about letting the owner of the stuck vehicle connect the strap.

The other nice thing about letting the other driver hook up the strap is that I don't have to crawl around in the snow

 

[stil2low]

Another note that is often looked over is, avoid pulling in reverse. Even tho you are generally not pulling hard, there may be a chance of grabbing a whole lot of traction suddenly and put a lot of strain on the coast side of the gears

 

[Uhdinator]

I tend to mind my own business. Seen too many times someone try to help and destroy the car they are pulling out. If it's a truck or jeep that has something substantial to hook unto with out damage it's a different story, but still risky when your vehicle is at risk of being hit by someone driving to fast for the conditions while your in the road trying to help someone.
When its a tail gater or someone driving too fast for the conditions...........I just smile and wave and with my inside voice say "have a nice day"

I've gone in the ditch a few times but just drove back out.

 

[TrailTorque]

im not sure if there has already been a thread about this but I couldn’t find one. Being a new Jeep owner and with the snowy season already here for a lot of the northerners, I am wanting everyone to share their tips for pulling stuck vehicles out of the snow. What are the best tools to use, where do you hook up on your vehicle or the stuck vehicle? What if you don’t have a wench? This will hopefully save someone from ripping a bumper or an axle off of a strangers car or truck while trying to be a good samaritan.

And also make you money pulling people out LOL

 

[jayteal]

QUOTE: What if you don’t have a wench?

Consider yourself lucky?

 

[caged]

this is a topic that gets asked in every jeep forum, this time of year.
let me start off by saying this. you are responsible for any damage, either to the vehicles, or the road/fencing/posts, etc.
if you are using a live lane, you can be charged by police, if they happen to see it.
most cars today don't have much to hook onto, even with the proper T-hook or R hook. so a cruze loop is your next option, if you know how to do it properly.
as mentioned, most european cars, and some north american cars have the square flap in the bumper to which a round hook gets threaded in, but you must be in direct line from that hook to your hook, you can't pull from an angle, or you risk bending or snapping that tow hook. it's really only there to load onto a flatbed tow truck.
simply wrapping a strap around a control arm, or any component under the vehicle will damage it, not to mention the plastic bumper can crack or break as the strap pulls up from your car/jeep.

i only say this as i am a certified recovery expert with level 5 wreckmaster training. i do this for a living. you're better off leaving the car in the ditch and wait for a tow truck. sure you can help by either letting them warm up in your jeep, or making sure their tailpipe isn't blocked with snow, and they can wait safely in their car.

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