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4x4 Limits

3K views 28 replies 19 participants last post by  Glen4X4 
#1 ·
I purchased my first 4X4 ( 2012 Crew Cab Z71 4x4 White Diamond Edition) and its sitting on P26565R18 All Terrain Tires. My question is, How do you guys know when you're in the safe zone when you're driving off road and / mudding. I had a BLAST driving off road today but It was just a friend and I in my truck and I thought to myself " This would suck if I got stuck out here by myself "
 
#3 ·
Its all about learning the capabilities of your truck. Until you have alot of seat time in your rig off roading its kind of a guessing game what you can get away with.
Once you learn and feel what your truck is capable of, you will build more confidence and go from bunny trails to more challenging high pucker factor trails.
I allways crawl before I learn to walk, off roading.
 
#5 ·
"SIGH" wish I was young again I used to do a lot of off roading >>> set up more than 100 Off-Road Rallies >>> an competed in N A Jeep cup >>> a rule I soon learned was off roading with at least two or three trucks was the best solution for overcoming 4x4 short comings >Going alone in any serious going is asking for trouble >
 
#9 ·
one more Fact regarding off-roading with any full sized pu truck >>> It's far too Heavy and the wheel base is too long and with stock or lightly modified equipment runs out of HP real fast >>> Most of my off roading was done in CJ series Jeeps
 
#10 ·
These trucks are somewhat capable. Biggest problem i've had is lack of traction in the front end because of the open differential, you will always dig and sink down and the have the truck sitting on the frame. My truck does sand and dirt just fine, but any amount of mud is just asking for trouble.

Never go alone, it will always kick your ass.
 
#12 ·
The reality is, the 4X4 is best for one thing: Getting you stuck further away from the road! Seriously, while they are great trucks, as stated above, they are not a Jeep. Always bring the proper recovery gear or be prepared to hike back out of the woods. Have fun.
 
#13 ·
Yah, always a good idea to have a second vehicle out there. Also, a good winch might be another wise investment.

And someone once told me: "the only thing 4 wheel drive is good for is to get stuck worse".
 
#16 ·
Bring some one with a bigger truck! I can only afford to off road my truck the day i get my tax return so i dont go out much lol, Get nice big straps, and a buddy. Chains scare alot of people due to the weight and not being redudant (its only as strong as its weakest link), once that link snaps you might have 30 pounds of chain flying though your glass stay safe and have fun.
 
#19 ·
In THEORY the chain you speak of should do it. But again, speaking from 30 years experience there are a number of things to consider.

Your tow point on your vehicle may not be as strong as the chain and is a sure fire way to break something on your rig.

Tow straps or "tug" straps are designed to stretch to a certain point, it then uses that stored energy to help pull the stuck vehicle out.

Just food for thought from an old guy. ... :)
 
#20 ·
My 2 cents worth on the chain

It's part to do with static and dynamic forces

A snatch strap is designed to stretch (this is called dynamic) meaning it acts as a shock absorber protecting both vehicles. Forces are applied progressively protecting the vehicles.

A non stretch strap or chain (known as static) has no bounce in it at all meaning forces are applied to vehicles very suddenly if there is any slack in the system when pulling. It's surprising just how much force you can generate using a combination of momentum and inertia. It's VERY easy to damage vehicles (i.e. tear off attachment points or worse) using static systems.

Here's a quick experiment for you. Get a piece of string and as big an elastic band as you can find. Ideally something you can hold and have a foot of space between your hands. Firstly use the string, hold it in both hands and slowly desperate your hands until the string is tight. Once the string is tight try pulling your hands apart as hard as you can. The important thing to notice is how the string feels in your hands and how much force is applied.

Continue holding the string but now bring your hands together then snap them apart so the string becomes tight quickly. Do it gently at first so you don't hurt your hands. Do it a few times doing it as hard as you can without hurting your hands. You should feel a huge difference in the force applied.

NB this is the same theory for tying a piece of string round a tooth and to a door then slamming the door to remove the tooth!!

Don't let your hitch or front attachment point be a tooth

Now try the same experiment with a piece if elastic. You'll see there is no way of applying the same force suddenly. It's this elasticity that protects vehicles

NB - because of the elasticity in snatch straps and the like if something does fail (tow balls are a common one) then they will whip like hell. It's VERY common for them to fly though windscreens etc. lets make no bones about it a strap with a broken tow ball attached coming through your windscreen could easily be fatal. I witnessed a very near miss just 1 month ago. The strap went past the drivers head by only an inch or so. If came in through the windscreen and out the rear cab window. Terrifying

To prevent this just drape a towel or similar over a snatch strap while its in use. It just dampens everything and stops things flying around in the event if a failure

Sorry long post but hope it helps folks understand the reasons some materials are not ideal for extraction if stuck vehicles

Ian

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
#24 ·
To add to the tow chain debate, there is tow chains that are made a certain way, with a certain type of steel that is designed to simply drop if/when it breaks under pressure. I don't know the specifics but I do know they make these chains.
 
#25 ·
Knew you were into climbing by how you described it. A fall on q purely static rope when climbing can break your back but a dynamic rope won't.

One thing about pulling tanks out is they use a cable and have a weight on it. Furthermore everyone who is involved is in a giant enclosed steel vehicle. There have been too many cases of chains, toe balls, shackles used to combine two straps, and hooks going through back windows and killing the driver.

The rule has always been no metal on the tow straps. And use a snatch strap when tugging.
 
#26 ·
Boy did this post bring back memories. Went wheeling alone, bad idea. Had to hump out of the sticks for nearly 5 miles with my girlfriend. That was one pissed off young lady. And then finding someone to get me out... All in all it cost nearly 500 bucks to get out and nearly a girlfriend. And X 10 on the chain, watched one break years ago, went thru the back window and windshield, missed the driver by inches. Pretty humbling to see happen. It was like a rocket and not much was stopping it.

LGSONE
 
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