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04-28-2021, 04:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Missouri
Posts: 320
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Sportsmobile Recovery Equipment
I recently installed an Aluminess front bumper with 12,000# winch and will be getting 4wd and lift later this spring.
I'm now procuring my recovery equipment, but am finding the GVWR of the Sportsmobile (E250), is certainly greater than most off road equipment out there.
I currently have an ARB Tree Saver and Factor 55 rear hitch recovery point, but need the other things - soft shackles, snatch blocks, ropes & straps, traction boards, etc.
What are you all using?
Thanks!
__________________
~Terry
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04-28-2021, 05:31 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,350
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First, If you are not that familiar with driving off-road I would recommend watching a lot of the u-tube recovery scenarios that are out there - lot you can learn from these.
Second, you should have a good understanding of the weight of your Rig. Tire size, recovery angle, etc all play a part.
Read through these links- lot of explanations and relevant info that will help make an informed decision.
https://americanadventurist.com/foru...-reviews.3955/
https://www.roundforge.com/articles/...recovery-kits/
https://trail4runner.com/2021/02/15/...r-overlanding/
EDIT: Quite a few people have also invested in the Truck Claws II
My personal opinion: Proper recovery gear falls under "Safety", so I've always subscribed to acquiring gear that is over-rated for my application.
__________________
TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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04-28-2021, 06:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Missouri
Posts: 320
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Twoxentrix, I totally agree. I've watched many videos and read articles through various sources. I'm also scheduling offroad training through a reputable local instructor when I get the conversion completed. I'm also reading Harry Lewellyn's, "The SUV Owner's 4WD Handbook; Shifting into 4WD." Great read!
My question was centered more on what specific equipment you have. For example, the ARB soft shackle is rated at working load rating of 3.5T. That's significantly less than the weight of the van. So, not suitable. Sportsmobiles are significantly heavier than the fully loaded Rubicon, 4Runner or Tacoma.
To rephrase my original question, what specific recovery equipment do you have that is suited for the higher GVWR of the Sportsmobile?
Thanks!
__________________
~Terry
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04-28-2021, 08:07 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Davis CA
Posts: 22
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When we first bought our SMB I purchased the Warn Epic heavy duty recovery kit (Warn part number 97570). It wasn't cheap but it seemed like a good kit to start with given the weight of my van (10,000lbs). Everything in the kit is rated higher than my 12,000lb winch so at least my winch is the weakest link.
I'm also curious what everyone else is using.
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04-28-2021, 08:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
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My recovery gear hasn't changed much in the last 3 or 4 rigs I've had. Presently a truck, before that a Jeep JKU and before that a few vans.
- First, dump the high lift jack. IMO it will just rust in place and they are way too heavy to carry around. This is, of course, my opinion and others swear by them.
- A capable winch (12-18k for heavy SMBs)
- 1 set of Maxtrax/traction boards
- A few big D rings and a soft shackle or two
- An extra tow rope/chain
- Some big mat to throw over your winch cable unless you have synthetic
- A chainsaw. Always. I like the little battery guys nowadays. I just got a really sweet Makita arborist/top handle with a 10" bar. Good enough and no gas smell
- A Spot satellite locator dealio in case things go way sideways
My list has been honed down to it's present state because of where I live. The wooded east almost always has a tree to winch to. Gear list would probably be a lot different for desert runners.
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04-29-2021, 08:58 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Missouri
Posts: 320
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86Scotty. Great list, thanks. I live in sw Missouri which has a lot of National Forest trails, so I'm in the same situation. I already have the ARB Tree Saver strap. I hope to be traveling on the trails out west, so will need stuff for that, too.
__________________
~Terry
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04-29-2021, 08:59 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Missouri
Posts: 320
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RVRRNNR, I agree with the weight issue. A good deal of the equipment just isn't rated for our sized equipment.
__________________
~Terry
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04-29-2021, 09:05 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Missouri
Posts: 320
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unreng, Thanks for the list. I've saved the links.
__________________
~Terry
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04-29-2021, 09:14 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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I recommend contacting Chris Cole at Safe-Xtract. He can give you expert advice and get you what you need. His website is really lacking, but he will get you the right recovery equipment, and the best recovery equipment. The equipment he sells is made in the US.
https://www.safe-xtract.com/recovery...it-components/
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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