Recovery That Almost Kills A Dude!

[Walldo]

important details are scattered through an hour long video. I couldn't find what actually failed on the pull side? Pin in a hard shackle? Recovery point pulled off the bumper? What is it that came through the windshield?

At about 42.03 in the video he talks about it was the rope that came in through the windshield.

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[fourfa]

WOW, OK I missed that. Yikes.

 

[SightsOfIron]

At about 42.03 in the video he talks about it was the rope that came in through the windshield.

rope on its own?!

 

[Walldo]

That's what he says.

 

[KevinM60]

He doesn’t specifically say except to say that he was using soft shackles so maybe some part of the Jeeps’ aftermarket bumper?

From what I could see He showed the soft shackle that was attached to the recovery vehicle and that it was connected to a point that looked like it caused pointed stress on the shackle.

 

[KevinM60]

Someone should develop and market a Kevlar/Nomex cloth Windscreen overlay for recovery situations that would prevent intrusion into the cabin.

Some recovery videos that I learned from showed the hood being raised up to block any loose missiles. And several blankets.

IMO the puller was jumping on it way too hard. He should have been trying to nudge it loose before going all out.

 

[Zero_Accel]

He doesn’t specifically say except to say that he was using soft shackles so maybe some part of the Jeeps’ aftermarket bumper?

You have to be mindful of sharp edges when using a soft shackle. A lot of those D-Ring gussets will saw through a soft shackle as you're pulling. I'd put my money there on why the soft shackle failed. Being a worn out, no name Amazon special definitely did not help.

When I'm using soft shackles, I'll try and put a smooth D-Ring on the tabs on the bumper, then loop the soft shackle through that. Like this.

If anything is worn out or damaged, I replace it. That includes expiration dates (ropes have a replace by date!).

Cheaper than a hospital bill. And better than a funeral.

 

[Sweetums]

Someone should develop and market a Kevlar/Nomex cloth Windscreen overlay for recovery situations that would prevent intrusion into the cabin.

Or just open your hood.

My truck came with a very nice ($350) Factory 55 Ultrahook. I plan to remove it and go with a loop-end and Yankum fairlead to eliminate all metal components from my recoveries.
The LJR has an old fashioned steel cable, that's going to get changed for a synthetic line winch with a similar no-hook setup.

 

[WILDHOBO]

For this recovery, a winch with dampener would have been way more controlled. I’ve used my kinetic one time so far, but not with throttle. It’s there for a very specific situation in my opinion. When the vehicle to be recovered is heavier than the recovery vehicle. But use a bridal to two recovery points on both vehicles if possible. And very importantly. Don’t trust an unknown Good Samaritan as the active recovery person. Ask to use them as an anchor, and use your winch under your own control. Use gentle gradual pulls, pausing to evaluate if things are working correctly. And give the helper a radio so you can talk.

 

[DarthAWM]

He doesn’t specifically say except to say that he was using soft shackles so maybe some part of the Jeeps’ aftermarket bumper?

they definitely tied to a hard shackle you can see it embedded in the windshield

 

[Berserker]

I was frustrated to see that he wasn't giving it gas when he was being yanked on. In the video, he said he was barely stuck. His rig wasn't dead- he could have assisted with his own recovery. Also, his passenger could have gotten out between tugs to ensure the Jeep didn't drive over the recovery rope, which it ultimately did. And a little shoveling goes a long way.

 

[fourfa]

Going to link to an earlier discussion we had that touches on this:

Super instructional moment here. Soft shackle straight into a hardpoint for a metal D-ring, no radiused or tapered edge. The towed vehicle rolls right and hangs up a rear wheel, so for an instant 100% of the force goes on that shackle alone. That edge cuts through the shackle like butter

I'm sold on synthetic recovery products BUT... that comes with a bunch of caveats about exactly situations like this. If you have unradiused D-ring points, you have to use D-rings. That also goes for all the randos blocking the trail who are going to expect me to rescue them and their DV8 bumper. (Historically my winch gets used more for rescuing others than for myself.) So I gotta carry D-rings to protect my own soft shackles. I try to keep things light but it ain't easy

You have to be mindful of sharp edges when using a soft shackle. A lot of those D-Ring gussets will saw through a soft shackle as you're pulling. I'd put my money there on why the soft shackle failed. Being a worn out, no name Amazon special definitely did not help.

When I'm using soft shackles, I'll try and put a smooth D-Ring on the tabs on the bumper, then loop the soft shackle through that. Like this.

Question though, why is there a soft shackle here at all? Whatever it connects to, can connect directly to the bow shackle

 

[Zero_Accel]

Question though, why is there a soft shackle here at all? Whatever it connects to, can connect directly to the bow shackle

I have a soft shackle here as a "sacrificial" soft connection to either my tow strap or, more importantly, my kinetic rope. Metal bits vs soft fibers like rope, the metal bits will win a fight 95% of the time. If the finish on the D-Ring isn't perfect, it turns razor sharp when pulling another vehicle, sawing through my recovery gear.

By having a sacrificial section between the metal D-Ring and my Kinetic Rope, I achieve 3 things.


1. If I notice damage during or after recovery, I can just swap the soft shackle, as I carry multiples on me. I only have 1 kinetic rope and 1 tow strap due to their size and cost.

2. It helps me protect my more expensive and/or critical gear. I don't mind replacing a $30 soft shackle if I fray it. It sucks to replace a $300 kinetic rope.

3. As I mentioned earlier, I can only carry 1 kinetic and 1 tow strap at a time. If I destroy either one out on a trail, I won't have that piece of equipment available until I replace it when I get home. I have 6 soft shackles in the truck by comparison.


I have had people point out to me that I've added a piece of metal to my recovery system, and potentially another failure point, but I do try to mitigate that. Tightened my D-Rings with either a set of pliers, or a screwdriver through the pin, to keep them in place. Only hand tight component here is the loop on the soft shackle.

Hopefully the only way for the D-Ring to become a projectile is if the mounting tab breaks off, and I have big issues if that happens. And there's the risk of the soft shackle coming undone. If I feel that's a risk in a recovery scenario, I'll connect directly to the D-Ring and just risk damaging the rope.

 

[fourfa]

OK, fair play. If that bow shackle isn't the lovely, clean one in the picture with a nice plastic protector, but is some bubba's on the trail that's been dragged on rocks for decades and is full of sharp metal burrs - you're right, I wouldn't touch it with my good stuff

 

[WILDHOBO]

Going to link to an earlier discussion we had that touches on this:

Super instructional moment here. Soft shackle straight into a hardpoint for a metal D-ring, no radiused or tapered edge. The towed vehicle rolls right and hangs up a rear wheel, so for an instant 100% of the force goes on that shackle alone. That edge cuts through the shackle like butter

I'm sold on synthetic recovery products BUT... that comes with a bunch of caveats about exactly situations like this. If you have unradiused D-ring points, you have to use D-rings. That also goes for all the randos blocking the trail who are going to expect me to rescue them and their DV8 bumper. (Historically my winch gets used more for rescuing others than for myself.) So I gotta carry D-rings to protect my own soft shackles. I try to keep things light but it ain't easy



Question though, why is there a soft shackle here at all? Whatever it connects to, can connect directly to the bow shackle

Agreed. If I’m recovering others or myself, I get choice for what rigging is used. Or I politely bow out. If I don’t think it’s safe, I bow out. I’d rather leave someone stuck and safe, than push it or rush it. Winches are slower to setup than straps or kinetic ropes, but that’s not an excuse to not use one. I’d much rather do a slow controlled pull.

I have a soft shackle here as a "sacrificial" soft connection to either my tow strap or, more importantly, my kinetic rope. Metal bits vs soft fibers like rope, the metal bits will win a fight 95% of the time. If the finish on the D-Ring isn't perfect, it turns razor sharp when pulling another vehicle, sawing through my recovery gear.

By having a sacrificial section between the metal D-Ring and my Kinetic Rope, I achieve 3 things.


1. If I notice damage during or after recovery, I can just swap the soft shackle, as I carry multiples on me. I only have 1 kinetic rope and 1 tow strap due to their size and cost.

2. It helps me protect my more expensive and/or critical gear. I don't mind replacing a $30 soft shackle if I fray it. It sucks to replace a $300 kinetic rope.

3. As I mentioned earlier, I can only carry 1 kinetic and 1 tow strap at a time. If I destroy either one out on a trail, I won't have that piece of equipment available until I replace it when I get home. I have 6 soft shackles in the truck by comparison.


I have had people point out to me that I've added a piece of metal to my recovery system, and potentially another failure point, but I do try to mitigate that. Tightened my D-Rings with either a set of pliers, or a screwdriver through the pin, to keep them in place. Only hand tight component here is the loop on the soft shackle.

Hopefully the only way for the D-Ring to become a projectile is if the mounting tab breaks off, and I have big issues if that happens.

I couldn’t agree more. I do all of the same things, and carry 3 soft shackles all the time. But as you said. One tow strap, one kinetic rope. But I also have a recovery ring on my hitch skid that’s radiused specifically for soft shackles, two d rings, a 2” receiver block for the other vehicle if they don’t have one, extra 5/8 hitch pin, etc. I don’t go on the trail with a small amount of recovery gear. I plan for others not having enough.

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