Anza Borrego TC Rescue

[anutami]

buried my camper this weekend in June wash. Pulled into the wash and thought, I don't need to put it in 4wd just yet..



200yards down the road decided to stop for lunch and then put it in 4wd...



It just won't engage!!


I got to dig a swimming pool in the desert





5 hours later I had enough and called my bro who came to the rescue
RESCUE VIDEO

finally got to our campsite for the weekend and could relax








thinking of adding some rescue platforms to the gear list, any suggestions?

also, after 5 hours of my camper being totally out of level, my fridge shut down and took the whole weekend to get back in the 30's, another reason to get a compressor fridge.

[Reddog1]

There is a chain link fence material that has the holes (weave) about 1/2 the size of the typical fencing. That could be worth considering.

I have given thought to using 1/2" or 3/4" horse stall mats cut in 18" stripes.

Wayne

[CptnBG]

On the east coast sand, some people use chain link fencing. A little wider than the tire and several feet long. Rolls up compact. I've seen it work.

[Reddog1]

I really don't know how we could be ideally prepared for every situation, especially when 4 wheeling. With a truck and camper, even more difficult if we go off road.

Wayne

[kohldad]

It all depends on how stuck you get. In my jeeping days, we've had two 9,000# winches with snatch blocks pulling a 4,000# jeep and not able to get it to move. We had to do some digging and still put a 3rd 9,000# winch straight line to the vehicle to finally get it out. It was buried to the doors in a sticky glue clay.

Then there was the situation where I nose dived my jeep into a hole and couldn't back up. Used a 1,500# ratchet to give me the little extra I needed to get out. It was a slow process of putting as much strain on the ratchet, then back up the jeep about an inch, repeat process about 60 times to get unstuck.

Usually they recommend 1-1/2 times the vehicle weight and this takes into account using a snatch block at times.

[Airstreamer67]

You're right, a snatch block will double the pull force, and two will triple it. The cost of that is a much shorter pull range before having to re-set the cables for another short pull. But, you gotta do what you gotta do when you gotta do it.

[Reddog1]

I don't see any mention of using a snatch block with an undersized winch. Unless I Am missing something, it doubles the winch capacity. I cannot help but think a 5000 pound winch with a snatch block would not be adequate. That would give a 10000 lb pull capacity. You are not lifting 10000 lbs. Am I missing something?

Wayne

[kohldad]

Like Steve, I think having an under-sized winch on a heavy truck camper rig could put one in a situation where some part of the winch may fail...anyhow, that's just my opinion.

Only if you over work the winch. There is a huge difference between trying to get a bogged vehicle out and one that only lacks sufficient traction.

The winch motor will only pull so much and is designed to be the weak link in the winch. The motor will not pull more than the rest of the winch can with stand.

I would rather have the undersized winch on my truck than no winch at all. In just about every situation where the winch could be used, it will be enough to provide that little extra pull that my tires can't to get me out of a situation. At least in my case, it's for the "whoops" moment, not the "oh I have a winch if I can't make it" moment.

[silversand]

Mello Mike wrote:
Nolan, sorry to hear about this. For deep sand, 20 psi works best.

....I have to completely agree with Mike. 40 psi for that kind of sand (Borrego area sand) is way too firm; try 20 psi.

The other thing I just caught with your rig is On edit: you have an SRW truck, not dual. Correction noted.

Like Steve, I think having an under-sized winch on a heavy truck camper rig could put one in a situation where some part of the winch may fail...anyhow, that's just my opinion.

[Reddog1]

anutami wrote:
...I found these Tracgrabbers as well but it looks like the claw would probably work better

I think the Tracgragger would be as good or better than the claws.

Years ago I was into Sandalrails. Iran several different cuts on my Paddle tires. Like the paddle tires, the Tracgragger would move a lot of sand. They would be a smoother ride getting off the sand. I think the same would be true in show. I think the material they are made of would be more pliable and less likely to get damaged. I may give them a try.

Wayne

[anutami]

Reddog1 wrote:

anutami wrote:

Ventura Dogman wrote:
Has anyone ever tried the Truckclaws or knows anyone who has? I like the concept but I have not seen any user reviews other than the videos on the manufacturer's website.

That claw looks pretty nice, but I wonder how well it will work with a 3000lb camper in the bed of the truck. I was also looking for reviews but can't find any. when I got stuck I called the tow company and they wanted $150 an hour with a 2 hour minimum to rescue me. So it looks like the claw will pay for itself pretty easily if you have to call a tow. Nice insurance to have. Thanks for the link on this.

I tried to email them, but could not get their email address to work. I'm wondering if they would work on a DRW. Looks like they would.

I am curious, did you try dumping water under the tires to aid in traction? A good opportunity to dump gray water. Worse case use some of your fresh water.

Wayne

No, didn't dump anything. Didn't even think to do so.
I found these Tracgrabbers as well but it looks like the claw would probably work better

[burningman]

To everyone who doesn't understand why his hubs wouldn't engage, those auto-hubs won't engage after you're already stuck, the wheels need to roll a little as they engage.
Seriously flawed, absolute garbage design.
If you can convert to full manual hubs, not only do you gain the ability to use 2-low, but for the terrible inconvenience of getting out and twisting the lock knobs you WILL have 4WD when you need it. They try to make everything just a dashboard button to sell the things...

This is the only thing I hate about my Cummins/Dodge as compared to my old GMC with manual Warn hubs. It's a very expensive fix on my truck.

[Vinsil]

kereams wrote:
Do yourself a favor and buy a set of Maxtrax.

This. Lower tire pressure, dump the vacuum hubs (junk and unreliable until it's too late) maxtrax or similar traction board will take care of most situations. Soft sand can sneak up on you like it did. Frank on had a similar thing happen.

Winch and anchor....maybe. I don't think you go many place that you'll need it BUT as you found out...the one time you do, you DO. The issue is, you can add a ton of weight with all the above, so I'd go for a air compressor to air back up, maxtrax and fix your hubs. Small weight, will work for most cases.

If you find that doesn't work, highlift, more traction boards, beadlocks, winch, lots of straps, anchor....we can go nuts here. 🙂

[Strabo]

profdant139 wrote:
Well, you know what they say -- "if you ain't gettin' stuck now and then, you ain't four wheelin'."

Actually, they don't say that -- I just made it up -- but it sounds like something they ought to say.

All about the Adventure....Thats what brings us together.

Thanks for the thread.

[kereams]

Do yourself a favor and buy a set of Maxtrax.