The use of chain in recovery

[Fifthpro]

I just finished reading a whole section in another club page on how bad and evil chain is and how this particular person refused to even carry it in his.....Hummer (Lets call him a Hummer Owner for fun!) :lol:

As I read it and all of the other folks that chimed in and agreed with him I simply burst out in laughter. Needless to say this guy was one minded and replying myself would have only started a contracted argument.

The reason I laughed was because in the past couple of months I have used chain 5+ times in various aspects of recovery to include a trail fix.

1. Used twice in a load transfer rigging during some complex winching problems.
2. Used twice as an extension for a 300' (+/-) winch with only one anchor (Pull Pal) point at the top.
3. Used by 79CJ as a Trail Repair for a busted shackle on a club ride
4. Used around a large rock as and anchor point vice a tree strap.

This list can go on and on and the Pros far outweigh the Cons for having chain in your rig. Just make sure that it is the proper grade of chain and you are using it in the correct manner but by all means feel good about having 14' of high grade chain rattling around in your Jeep as you bump down the trail.

[korisu56]

It's funny you mention that. Josh and I had this discussion when we first started joining clubs. They were saying that most people won't help you out if you use chain. He said that all they used back home were chains and he didn't see the big deal as long as they were used smartly. That seems to be the key with everything offroad...."while used smartly"...

[miljeep]

We used chain attached to the ends of a recovery strap this past weekend. It was not for vehicle recovery, but instead we used it to try to pull a stubborn tree stump from the ground that had roots that just would not give up.

We had the stump on it's side and had the strap wrapped around the bottom of the stump and through the roots. We then connected the chain to the ends of the strap using shackles, and then connected the chain to a vehicle which had enough power to pull the stump out. I stepped out of the way just seconds before the stitching in the strap ripped out and send the chain flying forward. That could have been very messy and quickly snapped me out of the "white zone". I understand that you use anything to aid in recovery, and use it smartly, but I wonder if their is some sort of strength ratio that should be used when using the straps and chains together.

[Lt. Dan]

One problem with chain, ESPECIALLY when you were not the one that bought it, is you don't know the rating for it.... If you go into Home Depot or Lowes, you can buy some pretty impressive looking chain, and it will only have a 3,000 pound LOAD capacity.... That's not even taking into consideration shock loads....

Dan

[Fifthpro]

Just make sure that it is the proper grade of chain and you are using it in the correct manner but by all means feel good about having 14' of high grade chain rattling around in your Jeep as you bump down the trail.

Yes, I agree as seen above.

Might one think of recovery gear like climbing gear? Do not use it unless you know its history? Do not use that carabiner that nice climber gave you because he may have found it at the bottom of the cliff?

I am not saying to not use your buddies snatch strap because you do not know its history but..... inspect it! If it looks like crap or shows excessive wear and tear then do not use it. (Also find a new buddy...one who inspects his kit and replaces damaged items.) Do not laugh...look at this example of a guy who owns a 30k plus vehicle and cannot afford a new strap?:
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg227/Fifthpro/Image-FD903F6C4A9211DA.jpg

[Fifthpro]

One problem with chain, ESPECIALLY when you were not the one that bought it, is you don't know the rating for it.... If you go into Home Depot or Lowes, you can buy some pretty impressive looking chain, and it will only have a 3,000 pound LOAD capacity.... That's not even taking into consideration shock loads....

Dan

Dan your post states at the bottom that I edited it.....I did not edit it, I hit the wrong button like a moron. That quote and edit button looks different to us all but I still managed to hit the wrong one. I just did not want you to see it and think that I was jacking with your contents. Regards Mate!

[korisu56]

Give fifthpro some power and it all goes to his head...

[Fifthpro]

It was not power, it was being a fool. My finger out ran my brain housing group (usually it is my mouth according to my wife) I just wanted to set the record straight with him.

[Lt. Dan]

I'm cool, I almost did the same thing a couple times when I got those power on NOVA a few weeks ago.. lol