20 replies to this topic

[True2ThySelf]

Went hunting on Monday, hiked 6 miles on hilly terrain, saw two small coveys of quail, one shot, no birds. Headed home and hit a mud patch. After two hours of digging and shoving loads of vegetation and a piece of wood I found under the tires I decided to go for help, leaving my brother with the warm clothes and hoping he might be able to figure something out.Cell phone battery was almost dead. I didn't want to spend the night in sub-freezing temperatures and the only phone number I had was to BLM office in Bakersfield. I call to see if they could contact a ranger, the police or anyone who might be able to help me before it got dark. They said they couldn't do anything and that I should try 411 for a tow company. Of course the cell phone battery dies at the end of the call.I hike 2-3 miles before I found another hunter (a very nice gentleman) heading home (with 5 birds in the bag ). I explained my situation but there was nothing he could do other than give me a ride to town. We stopped at a gas station and I got a number to a towing company but when I called they said they couldn't do anything because their two trucks would get stuck too and advised me to wait a few days for the mud to dry before trying to get it out.The gentleman who gave me a ride flagged down a police cruiser and I explained to him my situation. I thanked the gentleman who gave me a ride and he was on his way. The police take me to the station and tried calling a tow company, which happened to be the one I called, and was told the same thing. The police then called the sherrifs to see if they could go out and get my brother because it was going to get below freezing overnight and the sherrifs said it wasn't a life threatening situation and they couldn't do anything.The police then called another tow company and had me explain the situation. The tow company told me the same thing as the first one except explained why their trucks couldn't go out there. I told them my brother was still out there and if they had any suggestions, he told me to call back in 30 minutes and he would see if he could figure something out in the mean time. I asked the police if the tow company couldn't help me, would we be able to go out and get my brother so he didn't have to spend the night in freezing temperatures. They said since the sherrifs wouldn't go out there to pick him up, they would. Luckily the tow company said they could send a 4WD pick up truck out.Aside from the police department, which were very nice...Government Agencies 0, Private citizens 1.I have learned my lesson on heading off road unprepared. I am now looking into off road vehicle recovery using a winch, pulleys and a ground anchor so if anyone has any information to share, I would be very pleased to hear it.

[yoteblaster]

WTF!?

[Shoot-it]

I can't believe the local leo didn't think it was life threatening come on he is out there by himself who wants to sit in a cold truck all night.A 4x4 truck and chains is the best way to go if your a hunter.I have always bought 4x4's they do cost more but it's worth it.I like to run BF all terrains to.

[True2ThySelf]

A 4x4 truck and chains is the best way to go if your a hunter.I have always bought 4x4's they do cost more but it's worth it.I like to run BF all terrains to.

I can't afford to buy a vehicle, in fact the one I am using I inherited when my father passed away. When you are talking chains, do you mean the ones for the tires or the ones to be towed with?I do know when I can afford to buy another vehicle I will go the 4x4 route as well as transfering the self recovery kit I plan on buying to the hunting vehicle.

[ShooterJohn]

Chains for your tires.

[mtn dog]

There's a lot to learn in your story and it has nothing to do with whether the cops saved your butts. From the title, I'm guessing you know that. At least you had warm clothes for your brother. When you finally can afford a 4x4, remember this fact:"4WD does NOT mean you can go anywhere. It just means you'll need to get towed out of worse places!"

[4RHUNTS]

Always take a cell phone charger, blankets/sleeping bags, xtra clothing, water, a few tools, some food, xtra fuel if you can. That way you can stay in your vehicle if you must, which is usually the best idea if it is getting dark. Sounds like you learned a lesson in self preparedness. Your 1st responsability when venturing out is to be prepared for when SH%$ Happens !!

[ShooterJohn]

mtn dog is right the one thing four wheel drive will do is get you stuck deeper and farther from help if used incorrectly. If you get a 4X4 use it responsibly and learn your limits. Venturing into the wild at anytime of year requires being prepared for the conditions. I'm glad you were able to retrieve your brother and your vehicle safely. But having the right tools along to extricate yourself can be as simple as a good shovel. This is from someone who has learned all of this the hard way!

[4RHUNTS]

mtn dog is right the one thing four wheel drive will do is get you stuck deeper and farther from help if used incorrectly. If you get a 4X4 use it responsibly and learn your limits. Venturing into the wild at anytime of year requires being prepared for the conditions. I'm glad you were able to retrieve your brother and your vehicle safely. But having the right tools along to extricate yourself can be as simple as a good shovel. This is from someone who has learned all of this the hard way!

Me too....Yes the hard way is what it took for me, more than once i'll admit.....

[fishandhunt4ever]

Not too harp, but I always take out way to much extra gear. Always ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen, and then prepare for it. If anything, at least get a winch that attaches to your tow hitch.

[pthor]

Here are some ideas from an old 4 wheeler- If you bogg down in mud, let the air out of your tires (on the drive axle) if you don't have 4wheel drive, both axles if you do! Down to just a few pounds, it works well. Carry Chains if they make them for your size tire and a High Lift jack and spare tire can get you out of most anything !

[True2ThySelf]

Does anyone know if I can install a winch on a 1999 Chevy Suburban 2WD stock bumper or do I need some additional mounting plate or a specialized bumper?I was thinking of getting a winch from harbor freight but I need to figure out if I can even install it first

[Jason]

Don't beat yourself up too bad. I've gotten stuck a number of times even with 4wd. It happens. The advice given to be prepared is always good though. You never know when you might have to spend a night out so always have some things with you to help survive.

[sportyg]

Yes you can install a wench on your 2 wheel drive. Even with one always carry a shovel & chains.

[jawbreaker]

You can't intall a winch on your stock bumper, you will pull it right off. They do make kits to mount winches behind your most stock bumpers or attachments to mount a plete to the frame but straight to the bumper is not smart. As far as a harbor freight winch, I think that would be your second mistake, don't buy a cheap winch because you don't have money to buy one of quality. If you can't get a quality winch now just don't put yourself in a possition that you will need a winch until you can afford a good one( you don't want a cheap winch to fail in a time of need). Also remember that you should have a winch that has a capacity of 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle and a suburban isn't a light weight car, sure you could use a snatch block but then you cut your cable lenght in half. Why don't you look into selling your suburban and getting something with 4wd, by the time you put a winch on that 2wd you will probably be at the same money out of pocket.

[tawnoper]

Also...in the dez you need something to hook your winch to. Not always something around and carrying around an anchor is a pain.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

You dont really need to have a winch installed. If you have a Trailor hitch installed on your Truck bumper, its rated at a certain pulling weight. As long as you dont exceed that weight you should be fine. Myself, I would use a winch that can be portable. Front of the truck, rear of the truck, pulled out either way. A winch on a bracket with a hole that would drop over the ball hitch works well, also if a person has a 2" reciever hitch, the winch can be mounted upon an accepting bracket, but you would also need a 2" reciever hitch in the front. The first rule of towing is, pull it out the way it went in. Keep in mind this is for the Opps! Im getting stuck mode. Stop, and try to get back out the same way and not get burried further. Usually you see that you have made a mistake by going in to a bad situation so get yourself out the same way. You need available 12 volt Power front and rear power for a system like this, but its not hard to achieve. Set the winch up for a quick disconnect system, welding cable couplers work well, but there are also other quick connectors that can be prewired front an rear. If you have a frame mounted attatchment point that the winch can be hooked on front or rear, youre in buisness. Its true, when you stick a 4X4 you may need more help getting out, but if you use your head you can get out of a situation before it gets out of hand. If you get a winch, make sure that the wiring will handle the amps needed for the winch. Use Big Cable! Not speaker wire.. lol But a system like this could really be a bonus without a solid mounted winch. Ive seen them work before, easy and can save you headaches. JMO But as said by Tawnoper, carrying and setting anchors in certain types of soil can be a pain. Good luck.

[mtn dog]

This is from someone who has learned all of this the hard way!

On the other hand, those lessons learned the hard way make for the best stories later.We have all probably walked that fine line between having a great adventure and winning a Darwin Award. http://www.darwinawa...darwin2011.html

[Yateswell]

Happen to me several times, sometimes I got lucky and sometimes I did not, I remember I paid $300 for a tow once. Carry some gears for self rescue/survival, but most importantly know where you're going, back up instead of taking chance, it works most of time.BTW, 4X4 is a great tool, but like any tool, it doesn't work all the time, driver makes difference.

[zippy1970]

Thank you for your post . It may help other from getting into the same situation . What I do , as I do not hunt from a truck , let alone 4x4 : I never go over a hill without 1st getting out & walking it . Checking the soil , incline , clearence & how hard it may be to get out if I do go forward . It happened once were my tires spun towards the top of an incline & I could not get out . The truck I saw ,came down my road , explained what happened , he waited for me to get over the " hump" before taking off . Plenty of water , food , appropriate clothing , fuel . In that order for myself . Flashlight ( 2x extra batts ) , something to start a fire if needed . Also there are CDs in the cd player that I can use for signaling too . My own tow strap ( 10k rated ) you may find someone with a truck that can get you out but they may / will not have the strap / chain to get you out . Assorted 2x6 . 3-4' lengths . What you can take . Shovel , folding . Fully charged phone & charger . I got caught 2xs this year with a dead phone . But I called before it died & said when leaving & when I got on highway . I always call when leaving & when out of the hunting area ( getting on highway ) Lots of Quarters for pay phone . Also give a " if not home by XXXam/pm without a phone call " deadline before GF calls CHP / local PD to where I should be / will be traveling . Make a plan , stick to the plan , no deviation , when telling others of your plans . Also know your emergency outs . Sounded like you knew where to find " life " . I make note of the Farms & properties around where I go , if I need help . Best off all , my cell phone has worked dang near everywhere I go . Never do I get no reception at all . And when its poor phone reception , I text . Always seems to work . I won't get a 4x4 as I am terrified of what I will do in it ( getting myself deeper into trouble ) & I will not drive the narly trails that are just wider than than 4x4 & or any where near a cliff . HATE that s!!! . But thats just me , Andy

[dangerranger]

There are alot of things you can do to make your suburban more off road friendly. the winch you would need to pull a suburban out of the mud would be a 12000 lb model tho. not cheap. the best improvement would be some type of locking differential or limited slip. once you have both wheels pulling, you can add an emergency puller. its a pulley that bolts over your wheel studs and works like a winch, but uses the engine power to move it along. they are time consuming to use buit in an emergency they can save your bacon. just having both rear wheels pulling will make the most differance tho. 4 Wheel parts sells a locker kit called the EZ locker for the GM axel that can be installed in your driveway. it cant take the stress of rock crawling or the high horsepower of a sand drager but in your situation it may work out.