Car broke down on a forestry route off road (see my other post if you’re interested in what happened). AAA won’t tow it. It’s not stuck or anything but there are some hills it has to get past. Tow company wants thousands. Assuming I’m able to rent a 4WD truck or Jeep and get a few buddies to go with me, has anyone ever done their own off-road recovery? It still starts and has brakes, power steering, and reverse. Do you think it’s feasible with a tow strap?
Yup I've done it. Be smart about anchoring the strap. Don't rip your plastic trimwork off like idiots on youtube. Put it in neutral, but you have to be on the brake almost constantly so you don't get slack in the line, and try to keep a distance to the pulling vehicle. AAA should be able to pick you up where the pavement starts.
@imperator well there won’t be slack if it’s significantly uphill. For downhill I’m thinking should I just disconnect and let it roll and reconnect at the bottom? Should I go in a convoy of 2+ trucks/Jeeps just to be safe? There was this one hill that the Gladiator that drove me out almost didn’t make it up. If I’m using two vehicles to tow one, would I go in tandem? Or should I stick to towing with 1 vehicle? Maybe just have the second one in case the first gets stuck too that’s it. And how should I handle switchbacks?
stick to one if you can. brake on the downhills, steer through the turns. That's all you can do. No need to disconnect. Obviously you have to shorten the strap through switchbacks.
@imperator ended up getting a tow truck. Will make a separate post about it.
if you haven’t already, check out Matt’s Off-road Recovery YouTube. They use a special rope to help them in their recoveries. Or give them a call if they are near you!
Bring a first aid kit, just in case.
For additional context: the terrain is a dry, dusty, dirt road with lots of rocks and no trees around 90% of the way. The car is under 4000 lbs. I already own 3 ratcheting tow straps rated at 1 ton each so I’m good there. Anything else I should bring? Other than food, water, basic tool kit, air pump ofc.