Taking your four by four out for a little weekend fun? Sounds great but what do you do if you get stuck? Make sure you choose the right recovery strap and shackles to pull your truck out with no damage.
Some people buy a 4x4 truck or SUV and never get it dirty.
Sounds like a terrible waste, doesn't it? Sports utility vehicles were designed to handle rough terrain, mud and some serious off-roading.
If you like to take your truck off the pavement, you have to be prepared for the good and the bad.
The good part is the fun you will have bouncing around the hills and mountains and splashing through the big puddles.
With four-wheel drive, you don't have to worry about getting stuck or do you? The truth is that there are those times when even your four-wheel drive can't get you out of the places you get yourself in.
That's what some people consider the "bad" or "trouble" part of four-wheeling but it doesn't have to be that way if you have the equipment you need.
Before you hit the trails, you should invest in what we off-road enthusiasts call "recovery gear.
" First, get to know your vehicle.
Check the stats provided in your manual.
How much does it weigh? You will need a recovery or tow strap that can handle your SUV -- consider the tow capacity and break strength.
It is best to haul from the chassis points as that is the strongest part of your vehicle.
If you are pulling from the rear bar or front pull bar, use the sling version of a strap so you can even out the pressure on the chassis.
This gives you maximum strength and minimizes the chances of your damaging the vehicle.
You will also need one or more shackles to connect your vehicle to the tow strap.
A screw pin anchor shackle is an excellent choice for this.
Again, you must make sure the working load limit is appropriate for your 4x4.
But keep in mind you have to look at the entire assembly for this -- shackles and strap.
The lesser value of the two will apply to the entire assembly so this must be greater than the weight of your truck.