Death caused by hitch ball recovery attempt

Saw this quite a while ago. Bummer. Ill admit, in my time, especially young, we did some insanely stupid shit during being off-road, and recoveries. Way way sketch.
I also didn't read much if any of reply's. I do have 2 kinetic ropes (one has been beat, drug, ran over, rips and cuts). The other is a newer one from MORR, because i like the work he does, with 6 soft shackles (2 are as old as the old beat to hell rope) and factory 55 receiver eyelet(s). I love the K-ropes, and like the soft shackles even more.
That said, the ones doing the "stuck" and recovery in that situation where not noob's at off roading, nor wicked recoveries. Its a bad deal, all the way around. Stay safe, and have fun out there all.

 

(sorry, i didnt read any of the replys)
I have a first gen, and the 2nd gen Factor55 hitchlink. The receiver is obviously (would be "rated" for tow) made to tow, not beast shock load. Thats where the kinetic rope comes in. And for that, i only go yankum. I have a beat to shit, old, OG yankum my uncle gave me. I did nab another one, and already used it twice. It is the way to fly mate,. imho.

 

And id throw that in the garbage, and get one from factor55. But, to each their own.
(im starting to read the posts now)

Edit- also, id look at soft shackles also.

 

Did you find it on Amazon? Looks like it. But, hell it could be the shit. Ive never EVER seen one of those on a single rig, that is actually in the dirt, but hey, im always learning also.


Look, i didnt mean to come off as a dick OR SOME SHIT. Ive used F55 for years. Or some shit. I actually use my some shit. Is all. Make money from the company. Jesus.


or some shit

 

Also, maybe use the male end to the receiver, remove the d shackle, then use a soft shackle in place. Again, just me.

Edit- did you even read that part? or,.... Worried about my 3%.

 

Cool Im good, but, thanks for not goin off,.... more. Glad your happy, enjoy your adventures.

 

Well, I just learned a bunch from this Thread. Thanks.

 

Have you considered reading the posts before you offer a comment?

 

No no no he said to throw your stuff in the garbage. Technically he said your stuff should become garbage; he made no comment about it in its current state!

 

Just use common sense and you'll be good, don't be trying to yank a dually out of the mud or something of the like.

 

Rhino "China"

 

Well this thread has certainly made me reconsider some of the gear I own and how I use it.

 

My takeaway is don't ever help anyone!

 

With the current climate I certainly would be hesitant to help anyone that wasn't in my immediate circle.

Years ago a woman got high centered on a snow covered median. I asked if she wanted help, and yanked her off. As I'm removing the straps from her wheel (only way to do this specific recovery) she decides it's her time to leave and almost runs over my hands, taking my strap with her down the road. That's the last time I've helped a random.

 

Hey, if it's not endorsed by some YouTube "overlander" it's probably not safe.

 

Matt actually addressed that in one of his videos. Something about how there are three balls, and the way he wraps the rope around them is a lot more secure than using a regular ball.

I don't think he uses that anymore though, he seems to use the pintle hitch instead.

 

Good points. If you offer to help, you really take on a huge responsibility.

I was watching a vid from St. Pierre White that mentioned if you accept a recovery offer from someone else, it’s good form that you also accept that the person doing the recovery will be running the show, since they are risking their equipment to help you. I dont recall if he mentioned the danger to life/limb aspect, but that definitely belongs on the list, not just risk to equipment!

There’s definitely gotta be trust before I offer or accept a recovery!

 

You didn't get the joke, but enjoy your chinese recovery gear.

 

I'm pretty sure there was something in the video @Altitude4x4 shared about never using a pintle hitch for recovery. I don't think I would be taking any advice from a YouTuber, just because they do recovery videos.

Make sure you get some endorsements, so that you can know which gear is actually safe based on who hands you the biggest check.

 

Matt's reasoning is "because it works", I personally don't want to die so I'll be using proven equipment for my recoveries.

 

Agreed.

Yeah, lots of things work, until they don't. That's not to say that any piece of gear can't fail. But, I'll take my chances with equipment that's designed for the application, personally.

 

Back when Swellrunner? was doing videos with his 4Runner he had a bag filled with rocks that draped over the center of the tow strap. Apparently if the strap pops loose, the weighted bag prevents this type of accident from happening. Made sense to me.

 

I just buy ARB shhhhhtuff. If it’s good for the Aussies it’s good for dweeb in California.

 

Winch blankets/dampers are an essential part of kit, it can prevent a fatality.

 

Is there a certain amount of weight that is best to use as a damper. I was thinking hanging a recovery bag with 5-10lbs in it might work, but not sure…

 

You just need enough weight to drop the line to the ground, usually a couple pounds is sufficient. I load it up with shackles and my 2lb sledge if it's a big pull. I wouldn't worry about it too in detail, the weight of the damper alone is usually enough.

 

Random anecdote - I rode past a SxS last weekend that got stuck in the mud and they used a sweatshirt for a damper. Goes to show that a lot of improvised things will work in a pinch.

 

My comment was sorta tongue in cheek but it came from a place of truth.

Generally I will offer "non invasive help" to someone. You need a gallon of gas? You need to call someone? You need me to give you a ride to the road? You need a shackle because you lost yours? Happy to help.

You want me to wrestle your stuck shit out of a predicament you caused, potentially breaking my shit, using up my resources, exposing me to injury or death, and exposing me to liability if I scratch your 2001 Cherokee? Nah, fuck you. That big hole you're stuck in? That's a you problem.

It saddens me to think that way because that's not how I was raised and that's not how I want to be, but I've been beat down for doing the right thing enough times that I finally learned the lesson that no good deed goes unpunished.

 

I'm thinking the person who attempted the recovery that ended up so tragically might regret that they tried to help...they're the one who has to live with the fact that there is a widow and two young kids with no dad because of carelessness or inattention on their part. I'd hope they learned something in all this.

Also, what happens with said family? How do you go forward after an event like this...?