So I did some searching but wasn't able to come up with all the info I needed, so maybe this thread can be of some assistance to future X newbies.

I'm looking at basic recovery gear right now and I'm confused about ratings etc.. I know a lot of guys here have snatch straps rated for 30,000 lbs but do I really need that much? Not trying to sacrifice safety in the name of frugality I just don't want to waste money.. would I be okay with the ARB strap for 24,000 or even the 17,500?

For rear recovery, could I just buy the pin from this:
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Warn-Receiver-Shackle-Bracket-p-19320.html
And buy this shackle?
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-Winch-Accessories/D-Shackle.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=124&t_pt=6073&t_pl=4524&t_pn=WAR13047 This shackle might be wrong.. see post 15

Front recovery planning on using
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=10464
http://www.xterra-wiki.com/index.php?title=Tow_Hook


Trail gear list:
Gloves
Maglite
First Aid Kit
Fire Extinguisher
Shovel
Axe
Feel free to throw in any suggestions. Remember that this kit is just basic for the time being.

Thanks a bunch guys!

Shovel!

Thought someone might say that :D will add to the list.

front recovery? dont all the X's have a tow hook up in the front?

oh btw i was about to make one of these thread in about week, thanks for creating it before me!

Haha you got it. Yeah, we do have one hook in front on the passengers side. I figured I'd put a better one on the drivers side, and maybe replace the passengers one as well.

you should always have an axe too

Haha you got it. Yeah, we do have one hook in front on the passengers side. I figured I'd put a better one on the drivers side, and maybe replace the passengers one as well.

haha ok cool!...i was so confised for a secong i actally went outside to my X to make sure my eyes hadnt decieved me

Safety Wire (or Lock Wire as some call it). spool of .032 for minor things and a spool of .040 for heavier problems. It's amazing what it can do if you know how to use it right...

And how do you use it right? Just for securing things?

Also, anyone able to answer my question about the breaking strength on the snatch straps?

An axe for what.

An axe for what.

dismembering campers while wearing a golie mask.

Never know when you could use an axe if you run into trouble! and the recovery hooks that come with the x arent exactly the strongest around..

An axe for what.

dismembering campers while wearing a golie mask.

HAHA well besides that, if you're out on a trail and a tree is across the way.. it ain't gonna move itself! A stout short saw with staggered teeth would work well too.. like a bow saw for instance

Gun....

Update.. have a feeling that D shackle I linked up top isn't going to be compatible with the pin. Think this one should work http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2XY39?Pid=search

Weight capacity high enough on that? Or do I need to keep looking..

Tired and very confused. Maybe someone can make light of all this for me.

An ax sure but I personally like those ax/knife/hammer/cats paw combos. It's good for so many dif things that may come up.
Like this but the one I have somewhere in my basement has a saw that pulls out of the handle.
http://www.approvedgasmasks.com/images/prybar1.jpg
Something like this is cool too 6 in 1.
http://www.nbcsafety.com/images/knife-x14kit.jpg
http://scorpionsurvival.com/store/images/guardian/TSS.jpg

Looking for a pic I found this. I think I need to buy it lol.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C-Z8uHXTvmE/R7cPVcGGpSI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/6-2ubGDHYNo/s1600/All-Purpose%2BSurvival%2BTool.jpg
http://crazy-gadget-collection.blogspot.com/2008/02/all-purpose-survival-tool.html
"This heavy-duty steel tool is 8 tools in 1. It has a shovel, hammer, saw, hatchet, bottle opener, nail puller, and a wrench. Unscrew the built-in calibrated compass to find an emergency survival kit in a waterproof bag. Included are matches, fishhooks and line, nails and more."
Geez :-o

An ax sure but I personally like those ax/knife/hammer/cats paw combos. It's good for so many dif things that may come up.
Like this but the one I have somewhere in my basement has a saw that pulls out of the handle.
http://www.approvedgasmasks.com/images/prybar1.jpg
Something like this is cool too 6 in 1.
http://www.nbcsafety.com/images/knife-x14kit.jpg
http://scorpionsurvival.com/store/images/guardian/TSS.jpg

Looking for a pic I found this. I think I need to buy it lol.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C-Z8uHXTvmE/R7cPVcGGpSI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/6-2ubGDHYNo/s1600/All-Purpose%2BSurvival%2BTool.jpg
http://crazy-gadget-collection.blogspot.com/2008/02/all-purpose-survival-tool.html
"This heavy-duty steel tool is 8 tools in 1. It has a shovel, hammer, saw, hatchet, bottle opener, nail puller, and a wrench. Unscrew the built-in calibrated compass to find an emergency survival kit in a waterproof bag. Included are matches, fishhooks and line, nails and more."
Geez :-o

Yes yes, we were forgetting the most important thing: bottle opener.

lmao anything is a bottle opener when that time comes ;-)

front recovery? dont all the X's have a tow hook up in the front?

oh btw i was about to make one of these thread in about week, thanks for creating it before me!



Tow hook was an option. Not all Xterras have them and even if you do, it's supposedly a very weak hook.

here's some good info:

http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/Accessories.html

junk i carry for recovery:

20K yank strap
6' x 3" snatch strap
20K snatch block
2 10K clevis hooks
1 X 3/4 shackle
2 X 7/8 shackle
folding camp shovel
heavy rope

Thanks guys. Went out looking for a shackle today but wasn't able to find a good fit.. will probably have to order the hitch pin first so I can fit it to a shackle.

So I see Brian carries a 20k strap.. any more opinions on the weight capacity of straps?

There are several factors that you have to consider when buying a tow strap or snatch strap. First thing is there is a difference between the two. A "tow" strap is just what the name implies. It is meant for towing. While it can be used for an extraction, it is best suited for towing where the "shock load" isn't as great as it would be in a recovery. Snatch straps are flexible. Think of it like a super strong rubber band. They are much better suited for extractions. One big benefit is that because the strap is elastic, it stretches when under load allowing the towing vehicle to start building momentum and gain traction before the full load of the stuck vehicle hits it. A tow strap has minimal elasticity and requires the rescue rig to have as much traction as possible right from the start and the vehicle will be under full load once the length is maxed out.

I carry a 30K snatch strap but only because it was listed at the same price for a 20K. A 20K is adequate for most anything we would encounter. Some may think "well the xterra is only 5000lbs, why would I need a 20K strap? When you first try to extract a vehicle weighing 5000lbs, the initial load or "shock load" will be upwards of 15K+ until the stuck vehicle begins to move. Also, sometimes an extraction is in a tight area where you can't get a straight ahead pull which forces you to pull at an angle to the vehicle. This will also dramatically increase the load on the strap.

Keep that in mind when shopping for recovery gear. It's good to have both types of straps. The snatch strap for extractions and a tow strap to pull disabled vehicles (mechanical failure, etc.) back to a safe area. You want to avoid using a snatch strap as a tow strap because of how much it can stretch.

i have a snatch strap like drake explained...it is slightly elastic and stretches under heavy load to help absorb the tension...it is best used in open areas because you can literally give the tow rig gas and pull as hard as you can and not worry about the shock snapping the strap

mine is really big and is woven in a loop, so i usually double it up and use a d ring at each end...it might even be 30K, i forget....won it at ECXC two years ago, so why not carry it

I've definitely done enough research to know that I want a snatch strap for recovery, but I didn't consider I might want a tow strap for actually towing a vehicle. I guess I'll go ahead and buy this strap for recovery http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EXP-230000/ It says tow strap but it's made out of nylon.. and I believe Drake has the same one, just for 30k instead. Thanks guys.

Yep. That's the one I have. It is a snatch strap and I've been really happy with it. Only been on the receiving end of it twice but I've got quite a few recoveries on it and it's been great.

also check out 4wheelparts for straps and stuff...sometimes you can get items 10% off and free shipping....got my procomp snatch strap for like $22 shipped that way

Yeah I think they are running a pretty good sale right now. I was looking at them yesterday and they had my 30K strap for like $80 compared to the $100 it normally goes for.

Went to the 4wheelparts in Charlotte today and picked these up.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp183/ewoods08/0362437f.jpg

On the left is your standard hitch receiver with a shackle... but on the right is a hook that will slide right into my hitch. It's rated for 10,000 pounds... what do you guys make of that? Could the hook work for rear recovery? Because it was a whole lot cheaper than the receiver w/ shackle.

Also bought this because they didn't have the pro comp straps..
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-Winch-Accessories/Recovery-Strap.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=124&t_pt=5083&t_pl=5836&t_pn=S%2fBCC330
I have no idea what it's made out of (ie nylon, which would make it a snatch strap). Anyone ever use one of these for recovery?

i had one of those tow hooks in my hitch, and i locked it with my locking hitch pin and lost the key :(

got it at harbor freight for like $14, used it a few times down in the pines barrens, worked out pretty good

My recovery gear consists of the following:

8,000lb. winch
Snatch block
25ft strap
6ft tree strap
25ft chain
10ft chain
2 D-shackles
come-a-long
gloves
shovel
saw
axe
highlift jack with 12"x12" board for larger footprint in soft soil

stick with the shackle, instead of the hook. They are a much better choice in the ling run. I have never had a strap come off of a shackle, but that can not be said of the hook.

While wheeling I usually just leave a strap hooked up to the rear shackle, and loop the strap around my tire carrier. Some people put the strap in the back and close the rear hatch on it but I try to keep that much mud out of the truck.

You make a good point about the shackle holding the strap better.. I was thinking that myself.