2014 Winter Recovery thread. If you get stuck, we can help!

[spikerS]

In continuation with the success of the previous years we have done this, and the recent snowfall, I am reviving the winter recovery thread for this winter.

Past threads:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/375485/20...call-us-first/
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/362196/wi...y-thread-2012/


Basically, this is a resource available Beyonders that end up needing a boost, pulled out of the ditch, even just a warm vehicle to sit in while the professionals arrive. If anyone wants to participate, it is wide open. The service is provided free of charge, however, buying of coffee, or some gas as thanks would be more than welcome.

Rules:
For people needing help:
1: Anyone on here is NOT a professional. The people on here are usually very knowledgeable, and understand proper techniques. If any damage occurs, they are not liable.

2: Anyone that you contact is taking time out from their lives to come and help, and understand that they can't always drop what they are doing.

3: Before calling, decide if it is safe to have one of us assist, or if it is better suited to call a professional. IE: stuck in the ditch along Deerfoot, don't call us, call a tow company that can shut down a lane if needed. If it is not safe for us, we won't do it.

For anyone wanting to help:
1: If it is not safe, DON'T DO IT!
2: If you are not comfortable, DON'T DO IT!
3: If you don't have the right equipment, DON'T DO IT!
4: If you don't know the proper technique, DON'T DO IT!

Some contact numbers for professional towing companies:
City Wide Towing
(403) 287-0026

AMA Roadside Assistance
1-800-222-4357

For those of you wanting help, remember, we are not professionals, and as long as you ask for the help, if something happens to your vehicle, we are not liable for it. We have actually checked with insurance and legal, and it is true. If you are not willing to take that risk, please call a professional.

If you are interested in helping, PM me or post here, and I will update this post with everyone's contact info. Please try and form everything with the template to make it easy on me.

Name: spikerS (Chris)
Contact: 587 226 4181
Coverage area: North of Glenmore to Airdrie
Vehicle: 2012 F-150
Recovery Gear: Tow Straps, transferable recovery points, booster cables, basic tools, traction aides.

Name: FraserB (Fraser)
Contact: 4o3-862-723o
Coverage area: Pretty much anywhere in Calgary
Vehicle: 2008 Sierra
Recovery Gear: Tow Straps, transferable recovery points, booster cables, tools, traction mats

[vengie]

I would 100% be interested in offering my services, however is there a chance we could do a beyond meetup for PROPER methods of extraction?

[FraserB]

I'm in again Spikers; truck this year, no Jeep.

@Vengie, probably a good idea. Make sure people are using the right gear is always a good idea. I'm only around until tomorrow night, then back on the 13th.

[EvolutionVape]

[spikerS]

Absolutely! If anyone wants to learn proper recovery techniques, there are a few of us on here that could teach the basics, so that you can be prepared for something like this.

[vengie]

Originally posted by spikerS
Absolutely! If anyone wants to learn proper recovery techniques, there are a few of us on here that could teach the basics, so that you can be prepared for something like this.

I would be interested in something like this, also what would be the bare minimum equipment needed? Tow strap, clevices, avalanche shovel?

[FraserB]

Originally posted by vengie


I would be interested in something like this, also what would be the bare minimum equipment needed? Tow strap, clevices, avalanche shovel?

If you have time later today or sometimes tomorrow, I can give you an overview and show you what I carry on a daily basis.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by vengie


I would be interested in something like this, also what would be the bare minimum equipment needed? Tow strap, clevices, avalanche shovel?

Basic equipment in my opinion should be:

10,000lbs or more recovery strap
Clevis hooks, get a few of different sizes.
I carry a 15L rubbermaid tub of pea gravel from the CoC for traction

Those alone will cover 90% of the recoveries you come across.

Bonus things:
Shovel
booster cables
winch
traction pads


With all that, you should be able to recover everything you come across that does not require a professional.

If anyone wants to go over the basics, Let me know, I will make myself available to give some instructions and what not so you can do this safely.

[horobosu]

Any recommendations on places to buy a quality recovery strap?

[Sugarphreak]

...

[spikerS]

yeah, Princess auto is my goto place.

I would recommend their 3" x 30' recovery strap, I believe it is rated for 18000lbs.

and then get an assortment of clevis hooks. I prefer these because you are creating closed loops, and nothing can slip off, versus hooks.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[faiz999]

just want to say that what you guys are doing is awesome and while i hope i don't get stuck this winter, it's nice knowing there are ppl around willing to help others out.

cheers!

[spikerS]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Shackles + Tow Strap + Recovery Strap

Tow straps are for slow and precise recovery, the recovery straps have some stretch and are good for yanking people out of mud. Shackles are used at truck ends only, if you link straps together do so by looping them, not with a shackle.

Straps should be sized 1.5 to 2 times your trucks weight, the shackles should always be rated higher than the straps.

Agreed.

Your tow / recovery strap should be your weak link and should anything fail, it should be this. If either end fail, you have the possibility of a clevis hook flying through the air.

[vengie]

Would anyone be interested in meeting up next Sunday??

[spikerS]

I would be willing to do a quick workshop Sunday evening if there is enough interest. I would prefer it if Fraserb, andyL or Berserkercatsplat were there as well to lend their knowledge as well.

I know I pretend to be a know it all, but ...

[FraserB]

I can do any day from the 14th to the 17th

[Boosted131]

Spikers what was the word about damage to other people's vehicle? I've never had anything damaged from all the recoveries but just wondering what the insurance/police would say if someone stuck had their vehicle damaged and tried to get the money out of you for it.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[FraserB]

Originally posted by Boosted131
Spikers what was the word about damage to other people's vehicle? I've never had anything damaged from all the recoveries but just wondering what the insurance/police would say if someone stuck had their vehicle damaged and tried to get the money out of you for it.

If you offer to help someone and they accept, you won't be liable for any additional damages that the car incurs during the recovery. Regardless of who hooks the car up.

If you yank out an unattended car and damage it, you're on your own to cover it.