how to pull a van out of the mud?

perelaar · 14-11-2014, 09:58

Got called by a friend yesterday, he got stuck with his (fully loaded) van in a boggy field. Long story on why and how he came to be there is not to the point; in any case he asked me to pull him out.

So off I went with the Terrano and my 2 (!)weeks old towing strap. I did get him out without a problem, but I'd like to know if I did it correctly and safely...

What I did:
- positioned the terrano with the back end towards the back end of the van (did not dare to drive around, for fear of getting bogged down myself and because I did not want to damage the field even more)
- hooked up the strap to the towing loop under his back bumper
- hooked up the other loop on the strap to my tow hook

In the end it worked, but I don't think a tow hook is designed for this kind of towing. Or am I wrong?

Fez_uk · 14-11-2014, 10:14

If it's light recovery (say a gentle constant pull) the towing hook is ok

But it's best practice to use maybe the tow bar actual bar.

johnb5177 · 14-11-2014, 14:47

In the absence of a Timberjack (winch tractor), my T2 does an amazing job of pulling over major trees, that require a bit of `leverage` to help gravity work....

Using of course the Witter towbar and Dixon Bate ball/pin hitch......

perelaar · 14-11-2014, 14:53

Well, it did work, as I said. In low range, and very very slowly, but in the end without problem at all. Will use the tow bar instead of the tow hook though in the future.
I actually bought the towing strap in case I got bogged down

AlexD333 · 14-11-2014, 17:28

Just make sure your not snatching at the rope, ive seen a few videos of hooks come flying backwards at you, and often,k through windows

there is a horrible winch video of a steel cable killing two bystanders too

safety is important

everyone crapped themselves when I got my Tirfor

R1cho · 14-11-2014, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

everyone crapped themselves when I got my Tirfor

everyone craps themselves when you make a post about doing a mod

Barrbeast · 14-11-2014, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by R1cho

everyone craps themselves when you make a post about doing a mod

Seriously though this video (WARNING graphic content and NSFW) is a very real reminder to be careful when doing recoveries and always use a proper recovery point designed for that purpose (towballs aren't) particularly if trying to snatch - although as shown in the video even recovery points can fail/break off

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ec7_1...xcrR8xJDP3U.01

Should have been a controlled winch recovery not a snatch and two spectators paid with their lives (spectators should have been well back also).

Here's my original post with wise words from some of the more experienced members.

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/f...ad.php?t=22172

Lincs Mav · 14-11-2014, 23:34

Pulled a horse lorry off a field the other day. 2nd gear low slow and steady.

firebobby · 14-11-2014, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincs Mav

Pulled a horse lorry off a field the other day. 2nd gear low slow and steady.

Did the horse enjoy being pulled off

AlexD333 · 15-11-2014, 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebobby

Did the horse enjoy being pulled off

you can get arrested for thinking like that

firebobby · 15-11-2014, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

you can get arrested for thinking like that

What???

Lincs Mav · 15-11-2014, 10:21

I also pulled an emergency ambulance off a school playing field a few months back with the patient onboard. Paramedics were very thankful for how smoothly I got them off the field.

AlexD333 · 15-11-2014, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincs Mav

I also pulled an emergency ambulance off a school playing field a few months back with the patient onboard. Paramedics were very thankful for how smoothly I got them off the field.

I love stories like these!

Wouldnt get the stuck up landy owners doing that now would ya

Firebobby has since been arrested

perelaar · 17-11-2014, 13:19

I actually did see that video some time ago, scary indeed. I did not want to damage anything (not in the least my pal's van), so did it very very slowly, without snatching.

The strap I used does not have any hooks or metal parts attached.

Fez_uk · 17-11-2014, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

Just make sure your not snatching at the rope, ive seen a few videos of hooks come flying backwards at you, and often,k through windows

That's why hooks should not be used, Shackles rated higher than the strap or recovery rope should be used.

14-11-2014, 09:58	#1
perelaar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Belgium Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7TDi SWB '97 Posts: 802	how to pull a van out of the mud? Got called by a friend yesterday, he got stuck with his (fully loaded) van in a boggy field. Long story on why and how he came to be there is not to the point; in any case he asked me to pull him out. So off I went with the Terrano and my 2 (!)weeks old towing strap. I did get him out without a problem, but I'd like to know if I did it correctly and safely... What I did: - positioned the terrano with the back end towards the back end of the van (did not dare to drive around, for fear of getting bogged down myself and because I did not want to damage the field even more) - hooked up the strap to the towing loop under his back bumper - hooked up the other loop on the strap to my tow hook In the end it worked, but I don't think a tow hook is designed for this kind of towing. Or am I wrong?

14-11-2014, 10:14	#2
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,644	If it's light recovery (say a gentle constant pull) the towing hook is ok But it's best practice to use maybe the tow bar actual bar.

14-11-2014, 14:47	#3
johnb5177 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Swansea, S.Wales Vehicle: 02Terrano II 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 1,586	In the absence of a Timberjack (winch tractor), my T2 does an amazing job of pulling over major trees, that require a bit of `leverage` to help gravity work.... Using of course the Witter towbar and Dixon Bate ball/pin hitch......

14-11-2014, 14:53	#4
perelaar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Belgium Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7TDi SWB '97 Posts: 802	Well, it did work, as I said. In low range, and very very slowly, but in the end without problem at all. Will use the tow bar instead of the tow hook though in the future. I actually bought the towing strap in case I got bogged down

14-11-2014, 17:28	#5
AlexD333 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Uk Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 2.7 TDI Posts: 7,847	Just make sure your not snatching at the rope, ive seen a few videos of hooks come flying backwards at you, and often,k through windows there is a horrible winch video of a steel cable killing two bystanders too safety is important everyone crapped themselves when I got my Tirfor

14-11-2014, 23:34	#8
Lincs Mav Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lincolnshire Vehicle: Nissan terrano Posts: 405	Pulled a horse lorry off a field the other day. 2nd gear low slow and steady.

15-11-2014, 10:21	#12
Lincs Mav Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lincolnshire Vehicle: Nissan terrano Posts: 405	I also pulled an emergency ambulance off a school playing field a few months back with the patient onboard. Paramedics were very thankful for how smoothly I got them off the field.

17-11-2014, 13:19	#14
perelaar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Belgium Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7TDi SWB '97 Posts: 802	I actually did see that video some time ago, scary indeed. I did not want to damage anything (not in the least my pal's van), so did it very very slowly, without snatching. The strap I used does not have any hooks or metal parts attached.