2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front receiver setup question

[damon]

I just ordered a Draw-tite front receiver and I have a few questions for you guys who have pulled vehicles out of stuck situations a time or two.



The receiver is rated with a line pull of 9000 lbs. Is this enough to safely pull another full size truck out of a mud or sand pit ? Maybe I'm thinking too much into this, but with our trucks weighing 7-8000 lbs or more, plus the friction of being stuck, it seems to me that the load could easily go over the 9000 lb rating.



And, what type of strap, chain, etc would you recommend keeping in the truck for this type of use ? I already have a 5000 lb strap with metal hooks on the ends, but I will get something heavier duty. I was thinking about looped ends on a 30,000 lb strap , and using a hook in the receiver. Any thoughts on this setup ?



My intended use for this setup is to help the occassional stranded (stuck) vehicle that we all encounter in off-road or bad weather situations. I have never owned a 4x4 before this truck, but I have been pulled out by a few, and figured it's now time to return the favor.



Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Rob Thomas]

I have a Draw-tite front reciever on mine, but haven't used it yet to pull anyone out, sorry.



As far as a strap goes, Keeper's are very nice, I had one for 15 years, and it finally broke while testing my pulling clutch with a stump . Steve St. Laurent just got a new one (not sure of the name) and I will replace my broke one with the same one he has, it is very nice, 4" wide and like 40,000# rating. That and 2 beefy clevis ends and your set.



IMO, I would never use a chain, I've seem way to much damage due to chains breaking. Also, scrap that 5,000# 2 hook strap you have, thats trouble waiting to happen, I have the same one on my quad, but thats the limit.



Later, Rob

 

[Makensmoke]

Even though the stuck truck is being held in by mud or sand and weighs 7-8000 lbs, I don't think your going to exceed your hitch capacity. Picture the weight of your truck being suspended in the air by your hitch. Throw 1000 pounds on it and you are now at the maximum capacity- safely. The stuck psd's are heavy and hard to yank out but the ground is still supporting the truck.

I also agree on no chains, and more so no straps with metal hooks on the ends. Hate to see the hook come flying back and dent your truck up. lol

 

[kluther]

i once had a chevy 1 ton 4x4 that was frame deep in mud. by the time the tow truck got done there was two trucks in line to hold him and ripped of my frt reciver like it was never attached. it was welded and grade 8 bolted . mud can create a suction that is very powerful. ken

 

[Deezul1]

Trying to tow someone out while you are in reverse is asking for broken parts, an easy tow no problem but one where you are worried about max hitch capacity can break motor mounts, U joints and other stuff that was not made to be stressed in that direction

 

[Bill Lins]

Where's the best place to get the front receiver?

 

[Okie-Go]

I got mine from Discount Hitch in pasadena. I was pulled out while stuck with the 5er behind me. We used a 7210 4 wheel drive John Deere. My neighbor in the country drove the tractor. We used a very heavy chain and he just eased the power into it. No problems. My truck weighs 7480 and the 5er is 10,860. No problems. He was smart enough to make sure he pulled straight and not jerk the truck.

 

[damon]

Good point Deezul1, I would not have thought of that. I guess in the heavy situations I'll use the rear hitch, and it sure will be nice to be able to use the same accessories in front or rear receivers.



Bill, by far the best price that I found was www.miley.com where the price was $116 shipped. Nice people there and they take internet or phone orders.

 

[jmadden]

For straps please avoid anything with hooks on the ends and don't use chains!



Straps are generally elastic and use some of that rubberband-like force to help extricate the stuck vehicle. Because of the rubberband type reaction if there is a hook on the end that slips off you get a high powered projectile that can easily pass through a window and even some body panels. Keeper and ProComp make nice straps... reasonable prices at places like http://www.summitracing.com. You probably want a 3 or 4 inch wide strap... stitched loops for the ends... most of these will be 30 or 40 feet long.



If you are going to pull in reverse you might look at adding some type of frame mounted hooks... with one on either side you can always double up the strap w/ one end on each side to spread the stress. In most instances it seems to be recommended that hooks be installed with 1/2" grade 8 bolts (at a minimum)... welding is generally seems to be discouraged, although I know some will disagree.



jm

 

[cmckinney]

I have pulled out a K5 blazer from a steep ravine with my Warn while I had strapped the front of my truck using the front receiver to a Hwy overpass support. Seemed like the front receiver had no issues with the weight of pulling a K5 up an almost vertical grade.



Just use good bolts on your receiver,heavy pull straps and common sense you will be fine.



-CM

 

[Ted Constantine]

#ad




This is one of my favorite "don't do that" picts. Just imagine if you were sitting in that drivers seat Buy good straps and NO hooks

 

[RO'neal]

I agree with Deezul1 about using the rear one when you can.



Just to throw my $. 02 in though, I destroyed a 9K lb winch pulling a truck out of the mud one time. As a general rule you want your equipment to be half again what your weight is. I put a 12K lb winch on it and never had a problem.

 

[Rob Thomas]

WHOA Ted!! That went clean through the seat/headrest, dental work woulda been the least of his worries. Do you know what was on the end of the loop? I've never seen a strap like that with hooks on it.



When my strap broke if landed harmlessly on my hood, just a minor "thud", no hooks though. Back when we were kids, 16-17, a freind was pullin out another freind with a chain(while I watched, stuck myself on the other end of the swamp/mud hole), the stuck vehicle was a '94 bronco, new to him, only 2 weeks old, and spotless, they were using a chain, yep, it broke, zipped through his back window and landed between the front seats, (thank God), it also smashed the tailgate pretty good, and he was still stuck! That was the last time we ever used a chain.



Later, Rob

 

[bmoeller]

If you pull out someone, make sure to use a chain or strap by themselves, NEVER together. If the chain breaks, it will be sling-shotted the direction it wants to go. Had that happen once. Blew out the back and top door windows in my boss' 4430 tractor. It BARELY missed him. Went right for his head.

 

[StinkyCheeze]

Tires on Jeep in photo

Nice shot Ted:Can anyone ID the tires? Look nice to me. .

 

[Ted Constantine]

Yeh it is kind of scary. I have to assume that there is a cleavis on the end of that strap and what ever it was attached to on the other vehicle ripped off. Through the back window, seat and out the wind shield and most of the strap made it out the window shield. Talk about velocity HS! I don't know the origin of that shot but it sure proves a point.

wmachle, tires look like buckshots to me or one of the many take offs.

I have had stuff break on me before but never again will I use hooks or not put a blacket over the strap or winch line to pull the line down if it lets do.

Ted

 

[dhauser]

After looking at the picture of that Jeep I just had to chime in.

WINCHING/PULLING SAFETY RULES 101: always drape a burlap bag, jacket, blanket, piece of tarp, tree branch (you get the picture) about 4-5 feet from the bumper of each vehicle. This will drag the broken strap/chain down in the event of a failure and avoid the results pictured above. Also if I am winching I will raise my hood, should something go flying in the direction of the windshield it will be deflected down. And NEVER let anyone get in line with the pull strap, always get as far 90 Degrees from it as the control cable allows.

I hope this helps someone avoid a trip to the hospital. I have been off roading and winching since 1976 and have seen some yahoos have some close calls when safety is not considered FIRST. Happy pulling. Dave