Where do you store your recovery gear?

[MarkN]

I used to store my recovery gear and winch controller in a box in the back of my Decked drawer until I gut stuck in a nose down position where I couldn’t open the drawer. So I considered getting the Reaper tailgate storage box to keep my recovery gear in, but I saw a video of a Wrangler stuck at the base of a big rock and the driver was unable to open the back. This could easily happen with the Gladiator. So my question is where does everyone store their recovery gear and what gear at a minimum would you have readily accessible.

Mark

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[fourfa]

Great question, and good examples of where not to keep it. Places I’ve kept my gear in the past that I wouldn’t do again - at the very back of a pile of all our gear such that we had to fire-sale everything out onto a snowy trail to get it, and under a tilt-up seat with dogs on top if it. Keeping the dogs from jumping out into a deep stuck mud puddle was a challenge.

Personally I like soft bags (not packouts). I had a big soft tanker’s tool bag from army surplus, but as I acquired more gear (pullies, 3rd and 4th shackles, spare winch rope etc) it got unwieldy. I recommend a small, accessible bag with just winch controller, couple soft shackles, reasonable size tree strap and keep it high and accessible. Not buried under lots of other gear.

 

[Pedal Metal]

I always store a few essentials (jumpers, kynetic rope, soft shackles, tarp, work shirt, straps, air pump, gloves, & minimal tools) under and behind my back seat for a just in case in the life of a daily driver.

However, when I'm purposely going off to trails I purposely pull a few things forward into a large duffle bag. So, kynetic rope/strap, soft shackles, and a collapsible shovel are all handily accessible from the inside of the cab on either my passenger rear floor board or seat. Also, though not regularly mounted, I've often taken a couple recovery boards with me in the box and I simply place them under a rubber bed mat while traveling to keep them from bouncing about. I'll grant you there are more suitable ways to secure everything, but my trucks have usually been more of a daily driver and just occasional off-roaders. So, permanent mounts are not necessary and potentially a target for thieves. Also, I usually have a Back Bone 4 in 1 skid plate locked into my receiver hitch for added protection on the streets and trails. So, that's one more recovery point / tool (wheel chock) in waiting and it would theoretical give me a bit more of a buffer should I need to access the tailgate or spare tire.

I have since picked up a trail rail system and thought about using that for some easy cinch and go trail storage solutions.

...Oh, and I almost forgot, I keep a dry fire extinguisher under the back of the passenger seat all year. I have a few other 'tools' such as a tiny can of Back Off xxx Repellant under my driver's mat, a 'tire' checker hung on my 4x4 shifter, and other purpose built 'tools' should I find myself stuck on a difficult street in town. Also, since I do camp and hike in the summer months, I keep a large can of Bear spray behind the driver's seat during the non-freezing months when I may find my self in such areas that I wished I had it.

 

[Commodus]

I used to store my recovery gear and winch controller in a box in the back of my Decked drawer until I gut stuck in a nose down position where I couldn’t open the drawer. So I considered getting the Reaper tailgate storage box to keep my recovery gear in, but I saw a video of a Wrangler stuck at the base of a big rock and the driver was unable to open the back. This could easily happen with the Gladiator. So my question is where does everyone store their recovery gear and what gear at a minimum would you have readily accessible.

Mark

That is why I decided to go with Pelican over decked system

 

[MSFTMatt]

I have a ROAM box mounted to top of camper shell that I keep it all in. 2 fire extinguishers, 1 in cab and 1 in bed

 

[firemedic2714]

I use several tool bags and just bring them with me in the cab when wheeling.

 

[Mr Miami]

My immediate response was "Iced down in the cooler." But back to the original question, I keep what I need (or think I might need) in the under-seat storage thing in my JT.

 

[Hunter#1]

I use a large milk crate. Everything fits in it. Except the two 1/2 " plywood boards for the jack if needed. Shovel is my old E-tool. Strap, jack, tow strap and some other things all fit in it. Also the air compressor I use fits on top. It's tied to the bed tie down. I have used it for years.

 

[MarkN]

Great question, and good examples of where not to keep it. Places I’ve kept my gear in the past that I wouldn’t do again - at the very back of a pile of all our gear such that we had to fire-sale everything out onto a snowy trail to get it, and under a tilt-up seat with dogs on top if it. Keeping the dogs from jumping out into a deep stuck mud puddle was a challenge.

Personally I like soft bags (not packouts). I had a big soft tanker’s tool bag from army surplus, but as I acquired more gear (pullies, 3rd and 4th shackles, spare winch rope etc) it got unwieldy. I recommend a small, accessible bag with just winch controller, couple soft shackles, reasonable size tree strap and keep it high and accessible. Not buried under lots of other gear.

Great info! I also have a dog in the back with a rear seat delete, so I could have a small bag on the back of the drivers seat. Thanks!!

 

[Camaroboi13]

Most of mine is in my bed, via an Amazon molle setup. I used to have the rest of it under the rear seat, but just replaced that storage space with two Sundown 8” subs yesterday. So now I have a plastic tote and my molle.

 

[antwon412]

I keep mine under the rear seat. Couple soft shackles, a kinetic rope, snatch block, tree saver. I have a $15 Harbor Feight shovel mounted on my camper.

 

[djthumper]

I have it all in a GearPOD on my rack.

 

[Pickle_Bill]

FYI, for those that keep stuff under the rear seat, let it be known that the rear seat locks down (can't open it) at a certain angle, not sure what that angle is maybe around 25 degrees? I have since deleted my rear seat and keep my stuff in the goose gear.

 

[Lost1wing]

If I looked in the back floor of my truck, I will find anything I need. In case of a roll over, anything I need will be on the ceiling. Watching this because I need to get organized!

 

[rharr]

I use several tool bags and just bring them with me in the cab when wheeling.

watch your head

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