Deadman vs Earth Anchor (ie: Pull Pal or the like)

[Eternity]

I haven't done anything too stupid to get stuck, and I'm not a huge risk taker. Plenty of time around Moab and now on the dune of the Oregon coast. Will be mostly on deserts and sand dunes, some forest mountains, but not rock crawling. Not really going above a 3 on trail ratings.

I'm looking at getting a recovery device of either a deadman or anchor. I hope I don't need both. Would like to know from those with experience how these have come to be used in your conditions and the effort required. I'm not 30 anymore

I'm not excited about the concept of digging a grave to bury a deadman (I might just use for myself when done digging), but can see how that is nice in some situations. While handy to quickly wrap on a large boulder, should one be handy, it seems like a tone of work. In the deserts of New Mexico, there is nothing but lots of random size rocks mixed in the sand in the ground. Good luck digging a hole!

The anchors that you drag into the ground seem plausible, but would love to know from those not promoting the product or making a YouTube video for clicks, has it worked, where, and in sand? Seems like a winch might just drag the anchor all the way back in without moving a stuck Gladiator.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

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[Dickster]

I am local here in Oregon Tons of hours in the sand. I have not seen anyone used land anchors, They should hold in the sand but idk if it would hold if your were stuck stuck. When driving in sand its has a lot to do with throttle control and finding out what wheel speed keeps you moving. Best advise when you start to get stuck cut throttle and back up and give it another run do not bury it. Tire air pressure is key i start my day at 15psi and if the vehicle is not floating i drop it more. Definitely get on board air or a way to air up and down with ease would be my first recommendation. Recovery boards as much as i hate them do work in the sand very well and having a jack set up is important as well. Then there are some parts of the Dune that you just do not go lmao nothing will help. The best part of Oregon Dunes are really not that big and there are typically a lot of people out there willing to help.


Lastly If you have a Trip in mind Let me know in advanced i would be more than happy to show you around.

 

[Eternity]

Thanks, Dickster. In Florence now for a 3 week stay and will probably return every year around this time.

I've had no problems on the dunes. Fortunately, I have enough years of driving to know how to avoid most any problems, though the Gladiator add the challenge of wheel base span on ridges. It is always that potential "oooppsss!!!" that can happen when exploring. I have a good winch that I've only had to use to get others out.

Anyone with experience on using different anchors on sand, desert, various terrains (like Moab)? I do primary drive alone (I know, I know...I also ride my mountain e-bike alone without a helmet...Gen X/Boomer...I like the scars)

 

[Zachanadandy]

The Deadman takes up less space and is more versatile. The land anchor is nearly useless in really soft or really hard terrain. I don't carry either, but for the desert I'd argue the Deadman would be the better tool. You don't necessarily have to dig a hole, you could pile small rocks on it until it's heavy enough to provide a pull point. More work than a land anchor, if the terrain is soft enough for the anchor to bite.

 

[fourfa]

Might try pickets? Basically some sharpened rebar, webbing or rope, and a sledgehammer. Much much more compact than a pullpal and probably more reliable

 

[Dickster]

Thanks, Dickster. In Florence now for a 3 week stay and will probably return every year around this time.

I've had no problems on the dunes. Fortunately, I have enough years of driving to know how to avoid most any problems, though the Gladiator add the challenge of wheel base span on ridges. It is always that potential "oooppsss!!!" that can happen when exploring. I have a good winch that I've only had to use to get others out.

Anyone with experience on using different anchors on sand, desert, various terrains (like Moab)? I do primary drive alone (I know, I know...I also ride my mountain e-bike alone without a helmet...Gen X/Boomer...I like the scars)

Nice That is a fun place to be. Used to ride there a lot when i was younger. Hope you enjoy your trip

 

[Eternity]

Might try pickets? Basically some sharpened rebar, webbing or rope, and a sledgehammer. Much much more compact than a pullpal and probably more reliable

Thanks for referencing that. I hadn't seen that before. Saw quick video showing the setup and makes sense. Will compare that with all options people suggest.

I do like the simplicity and that probably could work. Might stick to a purchased kit as the rebar sounds like something that will be hard to remove from the ground, once driven in.

 

[fourfa]

Could be. Need something like what old school big wall climbers call a “funkness device” which is basically a strap so you can hammer in reverse

 

[Freems]

I haven't done anything too stupid to get stuck, and I'm not a huge risk taker. Plenty of time around Moab and now on the dune of the Oregon coast. Will be mostly on deserts and sand dunes, some forest mountains, but not rock crawling. Not really going above a 3 on trail ratings.

I'm looking at getting a recovery device of either a deadman or anchor. I hope I don't need both. Would like to know from those with experience how these have come to be used in your conditions and the effort required. I'm not 30 anymore

I'm not excited about the concept of digging a grave to bury a deadman (I might just use for myself when done digging), but can see how that is nice in some situations. While handy to quickly wrap on a large boulder, should one be handy, it seems like a tone of work. In the deserts of New Mexico, there is nothing but lots of random size rocks mixed in the sand in the ground. Good luck digging a hole!

The anchors that you drag into the ground seem plausible, but would love to know from those not promoting the product or making a YouTube video for clicks, has it worked, where, and in sand? Seems like a winch might just drag the anchor all the way back in without moving a stuck Gladiator.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

In the desert my Pull-Pal has never let me down…sand, loose dirt, the nose of the blade digs deeper with every pound of pull.

 

[bd100]

The Pull Pall anchor and the More Power Puller mega hand winch got me out at a river crossing in Utah clay where the front wheels sank to the axle 20 feet from the water's edge. You couldn't tell from looking just how saturated the soil was that far from the river itself.

Yes, the anchor kept digging deeper and deeper with each click of the winch, until finally the truck started moving instead. It was a good heave on the handle for each click, too. Then you have to dig out the anchor.

On the other hand, if I had thought about it, I probably would have gotten out much sooner if I had just dug a trench backwards behind each front tire.

The anchor was digging into dryer soil further from the river, not the saturated stuff the front wheels sank into. Never tried it in loose sand or snow or such.

 

[whiteglad]

Ronny Dahl tested such devices.
Sand Winching, best sand anchors off-road (youtube.com)

 

[Eternity]

The Pull Pall anchor and the More Power Puller mega hand winch got me out at a river crossing in Utah clay where the front wheels sank to the axle 20 feet from the water's edge. You couldn't tell from looking just how saturated the soil was that far from the river itself.

Yes, the anchor kept digging deeper and deeper with each click of the winch, until finally the truck started moving instead. It was a good heave on the handle for each click, too. Then you have to dig out the anchor.

On the other hand, if I had thought about it, I probably would have gotten out much sooner if I had just dug a trench backwards behind each front tire.

The anchor was digging into dryer soil further from the river, not the saturated stuff the front wheels sank into. Never tried it in loose sand or snow or such.

Thanks. That is the kind of real-world experience I really wanted to hear. I'm fine with digging that out. I think that adding a pull-out ring and strap to the back of the blade could be handy so when out, the winch could pull the blade back...might try and see if that works. Need to do a little welding for the fun of it.

There are a couple different version like the Pull Pal.

Anyone had experience with the other ground anchors?

 

[Eternity]

Ronny Dahl tested such devices.
Sand Winching, best sand anchors off-road (youtube.com)

LOL...just the kind of effort I would like to completely avoid. Fine if you strong back and can shovel all day and have your buddies around to chat with while digging.

So far, if the ground anchor works, would be crazy to bury a wheel, drag out, then dig out wheel rather than a quick setup and take down anchor.

 

[bd100]

If you do get a Pull Pal then I'll also recommend the carrying case as well. For the More Power Puller I got a tool bag. And the More Power Puller is great for going backwards.

 

[Eternity]

If you do get a Pull Pal then I'll also recommend the carrying case as well. For the More Power Puller I got a tool bag. And the More Power Puller is great for going backwards.

Thanks. That does seem reasonable to look for. I guess they sell it without the bag . I hope that my 12k lbs winch will be enough to get me out.

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