Trac-Grabber

[Army11Bravo]

My teenage son got his mother's car stuck in the ice & snow last week, and it took about 45 minutes to get him unstuck. I first tried to pull out the two wheel drive car out with my 4x4 Silverado, but I too got stuck in the ice and snow. How frustrating?

After this most recent time of getting stuck, I decided to pick up a pair of Trac-Grabbers. Now the next time I get stuck in the ice, snow or mud, I should be able to rescue myself in a matter of minutes.

I researched Trac-Grabber on their website, but ultimately found them with free shipping on Amazon. I have no affiliation with the company, just thought I would pass this info along for anyone else interested.

Trac-Grabber Website

[CavemanCharlie]

I would be careful pulling out any modern car. There is not much to hook to and they bend / break so easily. I don't tow people out anymore. To risky.

The different ideas on putting things around the tires look like a good idea though.

[Army11Bravo]

ryegatevt wrote:
Take out a couple of floor mats and put them under the drive wheels. Zip! You're out! Shake out the mats, put 'em back, and you're good to go!

I have tried floor mats and all dimensions of lumber in the past with poor results. When it's icy and the drive tires are dug into a snowy hole, it's tough to get the floor mats or wood under the wheel.

Again, I think the rubber block cinched to the wheel solves this problem.

[JaxDad]

TimnJo wrote:
"This makes me want to see about a bumper mounted wench."
I tried that but my wife didn't like being tied to the bumper, didn't much like being called a wench either.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Tim

Ok Tim, you owe me another Timmies and a new keyboard.......

To quote Larry the Cable Guy........

"I don't care who you are, that right there is FUNNY!!!"

[Horizon170]

ryegatevt wrote:
Take out a couple of floor mats and put them under the drive wheels. Zip! You're out! Shake out the mats, put 'em back, and you're good to go!

I use carpet strips on the sandy beach. Tie a rope to them and to the bumper/hitch,etc. and you don't have to stop 'til you are on solid ground.

[TimnJo]

"This makes me want to see about a bumper mounted wench."
I tried that but my wife didn't like being tied to the bumper, didn't much like being called a wench either.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Tim

[JaxDad]

Army11Bravo wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
$5 worth of rope tied around the wheel in exactly the same manner does the same thing.

The rope would probably work, but I think the strap is easier to cinch down. Plus, with the ice and snow I drive through in Montana, the big rubber block will have much more bite.

The rope actually work better if it's a little loose since it then pulls back out into a chevron shape as the wheel spins and it gets far better bite since it's then a much longer contact length, it also keeps it from falling into the tread grooves.

Rope also doesn't get hard when it gets colder, nor does it get slippery on ice like wet rubber does.

It's also a LOT gentler on your paint & bodywork if it comes undone.

[Jebby14]

my jeep won the war so your Honda cuts my grass

[ryegatevt]

Take out a couple of floor mats and put them under the drive wheels. Zip! You're out! Shake out the mats, put 'em back, and you're good to go!

[pira114]

I don't think these are marketed to replace chains. Nor do I think the OP meant that.

What I think is they are another viable tool to carry should you find yourself in a bad way. I play in the snow and mud and lot. I wouldn't mind trying these.

[Army11Bravo]

JaxDad wrote:
$5 worth of rope tied around the wheel in exactly the same manner does the same thing.

The rope would probably work, but I think the strap is easier to cinch down. Plus, with the ice and snow I drive through in Montana, the big rubber block will have much more bite.

wa8yxm wrote:
Gee When My Daughter got her car stuck she ha a boyfriend dig out to the attach point and called Daddy's rescue Service.

I have a big tow strap and initially tried to pull out the 2WD car, but my truck in 4-low got stuck. It's not a good feeling when the rescue vehicle needs rescuing.

cmcdar wrote:
Kitty Litter!

Make a little trail and drive right out.

I know plenty of people that use kitty litter, and it seems to work. I personally would rather just have a strap under my back seat than a bag of kitty litter that will need to be replaced. Plus, it won't work well in mud.

ctilsie242 wrote:
This makes me want to see about a bumper mounted wench. Not as good as 4x4, but still will get a motorhome unstuck.

I couldn't imagine putting a WENCH on my front bumper. She would have to hang on, and I doubt the ride would be comfortable. Maybe my next truck will have a WINCH, but it's an expensive aftermarket part that I may only use once a year.

NMDriver wrote:
If you are just trying to get unstuck, then use rope. If you need to drive down a road for any distance get some chains. They work in mud and snow.

Snow chains are not one size fits all. I would have to get chains for each one of my vehicles, which would be costly. And the weight added to each vehicle doesn't make sense. These straps work on everything, including a stranger's stuck vehicle I roll up to.

[fj12ryder]

ctilsie242 wrote:
This makes me want to see about a bumper mounted wench. Not as good as 4x4, but still will get a motorhome unstuck.

I guarantee you she won't be happy with the arrangement.

[RGar974417]

When we went to Yellowstone in May, I bought slip through chains that attach the same way. Nice to have for an emergency.

[NMDriver]

If you are just trying to get unstuck, then use rope. If you need to drive down a road for any distance get some chains. They work in mud and snow.

[ctilsie242]

This makes me want to see about a bumper mounted wench. Not as good as 4x4, but still will get a motorhome unstuck.