What size chain for recovery?

4x4 · 06-01-2008, 01:57 PM

What size chain is best for recovery for our size vehicles?

I've always used tow straps before, but I need chains now to be able to use my hi-lift jack as a winch / come-along.

I'd like to get plenty of size for safety, but I'd also like to get enough length of chain with not a huge amount of weight.

JasonWin · 06-01-2008, 02:03 PM

if your going to use chain I suddjest having something to put in between to absorb the bounce. I used an old tire a couple of times.

Tofer · 06-01-2008, 02:25 PM

dont use chains for pulling people out.... IF you are going to use it with a highlift as a hand winch use whatever floats your boat. i have 3/8" x 20' i bring just in case.

tc · 06-01-2008, 07:47 PM

You need 3/8" Grd 70 transport chain with grab hooks for the hilift accessory kit.

It should ONLY be used for reasonably "static" situations, and never in a dynamic recovery.

ETRNL · 06-01-2008, 09:10 PM

i carry 20,000lb chain (4x20ft) used to shore aircraft and 8 ratchet straps rated at 10,000 lbs...

4rnr · 06-03-2008, 11:49 AM

Chain sucks. Its heavy and dirty. But it doesnt suck more than trying to recover something with a highlift. So you will be adding a side of suck to a extra large order of suck.

Buy a winch. There are many cheap crappy ones these days, that should work fine for you. It doesnt sound like recovering is something you plan to do often.

Just my 2 cents

**4x4Fink** · 06-03-2008, 01:05 PM

I don't care what a chain is rated for...I won't use it to recover anything.

Get a looped-end recovery strap and call it a day. They make a ton of them that are pretty comparable in price to a chain of the same strength and length.

Be safe!

Fink

KellyKel · 06-03-2008, 01:17 PM

Chains are for slaves

Tofer · 06-03-2008, 01:46 PM

oh wow......

tc · 06-03-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4rnr

Chain sucks. Its heavy and dirty. But it doesnt suck more than trying to recover something with a highlift. So you will be adding a side of suck to a extra large order of suck.

Buy a winch. There are many cheap crappy ones these days, that should work fine for you. It doesnt sound like recovering is something you plan to do often.

I 1,000,000 times DISagree.

Yes, hilift winching is slow and tedious. But, if done properly, it is safe and effective, and you NEED to have a hilift anyways, so all you're carrying is the accessory kit bag with a section of chain.

Buying a cheap crappy winch will plague you for the rest of your days. I consider a winch a "life critical" device. You want to know that it will work PERFECTLY, EVERY time or someone could get really hurt or your truck really damaged. Save up to buy a quality winch. The pleasure of use will survive long after the price is forgotten.

If the choice is Hilift accessory kit (and the necessary, but not included section of chain) or a cheap winch - take the accessory kit EVERY time.

ocdropzone · 06-03-2008, 05:21 PM

Get your chain for the high Lift but you will also need some straps.
Many organized Club runs will not allow the use of chain for vehicle recovery.

4rnr · 06-03-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc

I 1,000,000 times DISagree.

Yes, hilift winching is slow and tedious. But, if done properly, it is safe and effective, and you NEED to have a hilift anyways, so all you're carrying is the accessory kit bag with a section of chain.

Buying a cheap crappy winch will plague you for the rest of your days. I consider a winch a "life critical" device. You want to know that it will work PERFECTLY, EVERY time or someone could get really hurt or your truck really damaged. Save up to buy a quality winch. The pleasure of use will survive long after the price is forgotten.

If the choice is Hilift accessory kit (and the necessary, but not included section of chain) or a cheap winch - take the accessory kit EVERY time.

1,000,001 times disagree.

Highlifts are IMO the most dangerous tool in the offroad tool box BY FAR!! Ask me how I know!

If I was on the trail and some guy pulled out a hi-lift and chain for recovery I would disappear in a hurry!

Al's Chop Shop · 06-04-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4rnr

1,000,001 times disagree.

Highlifts are IMO the most dangerous tool in the offroad tool box BY FAR!! Ask me how I know!

If I was on the trail and some guy pulled out a hi-lift and chain for recovery I would disappear in a hurry!

X2, hi lifts are very dangerous.... even the slowest winch would be better than hi-lifting your way out of a mess.

you'd be better off (faster AND safer) with a really long length of synthetic line and a dozen snatch blocks and hand pulling your rig out.

chances are you'll wish you could just hook your winch to a tree while your doing any other method. nothing beats a winch, even a cheap/slow one.

Al

brooklee1000 · 06-04-2008, 05:56 PM

Alot of these guys are very negative about chains. They should ONLY be used for static pulling(no jerking!!)) like you would be doing with your jack. It is a 100% reliable, manpowered, never fail extraction device, and if not for winching, then for jacking the truck and putting crap under the wheels. I was out with a friend, 2 trucks, no winch, and we both got stuck(him while manouvering around to get me out). A highlift would have had us out in 30min. but instead, we spent the rest of the day and most of the night getting out. As a cheap last resort tool that can mean 10 hours stuck or 30min stuck + 9.5 hours of wheeling, you decide. If money is no object, the winch is the way to go, I have one now, but my highlift still rides in my tool box as back-up. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! 3/8ths inch or heavier grade 70 chain would be my rec for your application as a minimum. Thats what I carry. 5/16s inch cable is what most winches run, you could use that too. The stronger the rating, the better. NEVER use a tow strap for extraction with your jack. They can stretch and are not static enough for that application.

4x4 · 06-05-2008, 03:32 AM

Ok thanks tc and brooklee1000 - 3/8 grade 70. That's what I needed. I'll probably get some cable too, to extend my reach. I know only to use it (the chain) for static pulling.

Me and my brother have been planning a trip up the through Canada and the Alcan highway for a few years now.. We were both going to drive our trucks so we could do different things and not get on each other nerves too badly. Gas prices almost caused us to cancel the trip, but we decided we could do it with just one truck. It's a little hard to use a tow strap when you've only got one truck, and that's the reason we'll need the hi-lift and chain. I remember helping my grandfather winch his tractor out of the mud with a hi-lift, but that was back in the 80's - too long to remember exactly how to do it.. I seem to remember there was a way to do it so he didn't have to completely reset the rig each time it got to the end of the jack. we'll have to brush up.

Some of you guys sound like limp-wrists!

Yeah, lots of stuff can hurt you. Use your tools right, use your head, and take your time. You all stay nice and safe at home. - I'm going to Alaska!

4rnr · 06-05-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4

Some of you guys sound like limp-wrists!

Yeah, lots of stuff can hurt you. Use your tools right, use your head, and take your time. You all stay nice and safe at home. - I'm going to Alaska!

Ha...yeah think of me on your trip when you are hauling 100lbs of chain around spending all day pulling your truck 10ft.

Me and the rest of my wimpy friends will be waxing our mall crawlers

Kaydon · 06-05-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al's Chop Shop

you'd be better off (faster AND safer) with a really long length of synthetic line and a dozen snatch blocks and hand pulling your rig out.l

Reminds me of how the military gets the Hummwv out of some situations.

n16ht5 · 06-05-2008, 11:04 AM

I dont even carry a hi lift anymore just beacuse most of the situations you cant use one safely. I just wheel with a partner now, or I dont wheel. period.

i carry a cum a long just in case with 40ft of strap

*i dont wheel anymore except snow... before, when I wheeld a lot, wheni had my 85 runner, the 2nd thing I got was a winch. (1st was the bumper)*

06-01-2008, 01:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NC Posts: 22	What size chain for recovery? What size chain is best for recovery for our size vehicles? I've always used tow straps before, but I need chains now to be able to use my hi-lift jack as a winch / come-along. I'd like to get plenty of size for safety, but I'd also like to get enough length of chain with not a huge amount of weight. __________________ '98 Toyota Tacoma regular cab 4x4 SOLD '04 Toyota Tacoma extended cab 4x4 V6 TRD, OME suspension - 881 coils, 265/75r16 Maxxis Bighorns SOLD '98 Toyota 4runner 4x4 V6, 5 speed, RR DIFF LOCK, 265/75r16 BFG AT KO

06-01-2008, 02:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tofer Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 5,771	dont use chains for pulling people out.... IF you are going to use it with a highlift as a hand winch use whatever floats your boat. i have 3/8" x 20' i bring just in case. __________________ 3genRunner: including parts from 3 generations of 4runners, '92 pickup, '80something Land Cruiser, Chevy truck, Ford sedan 89 4runner: Project DD. 3.0, needs a new tranny 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \| quad hauler, leaks oil but gets 26mpg 91 Honda Prelude: the Daily Driver WA, OR or CA wheeler?? Check out pacific-crawlers.com and check out yotaworks.com

06-01-2008, 07:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 6,910	You need 3/8" Grd 70 transport chain with grab hooks for the hilift accessory kit. It should ONLY be used for reasonably "static" situations, and never in a dynamic recovery. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

06-01-2008, 09:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
ETRNL Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Priarieville LA Posts: 295	i carry 20,000lb chain (4x20ft) used to shore aircraft and 8 ratchet straps rated at 10,000 lbs... __________________ 2001 4Runner LTD, ISR/deckplate/ECT mod, 6K HIDs, 12g headlight wire harness, Satoshi, Hood Emblem, fog light mod, constant power mod, NO DRLs, Remote start with ~1 mile range. my favorite video

06-03-2008, 11:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
4rnr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 1,183	Chain sucks. Its heavy and dirty. But it doesnt suck more than trying to recover something with a highlift. So you will be adding a side of suck to a extra large order of suck. Buy a winch. There are many cheap crappy ones these days, that should work fine for you. It doesnt sound like recovering is something you plan to do often. Just my 2 cents __________________ poop 1988 stock 4runner, v6, 5spd, soft top. 1990 fj62 stock and mint! 1992 4runner, 3.4, auto, SAS'ed, Marlin USA springs (4"/5"), 37" PBR's, 30 spline Longfields, Hydro assist, dual inchworms (5:1, twin stick, 23 spline, chromo output, 10* clock) 5.29's, lockrite's, custom exo, custom snorkle, High angle drivelines drive shafts, 108" wheelbase, Warn hs9500i, Electronic shifters by AWshifting, Mcintosh/Dynaudio a/v system. The build up...http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=74915

06-03-2008, 01:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 4,677	I don't care what a chain is rated for...I won't use it to recover anything. Get a looped-end recovery strap and call it a day. They make a ton of them that are pretty comparable in price to a chain of the same strength and length. Be safe! Fink __________________ Black 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA Last edited by 4x4Fink : 06-03-2008 at 01:23 PM.

06-03-2008, 01:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
KellyKel Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 211	Chains are for slaves __________________ '85\|22re\|Twin Stick\|Dual T's\|5.29\|4.7\|All-Pro High Steer\|6 Stud Knuckles\|Chromoly Studs\|Birfield Eliminator Kit with CTM Joints\|Rear 4 Point Suspension\|Rear Coils\|4 wheel disc brakes\|Rear Fuel Cell\|Assorted Rock Lights\|ARB/IPF Magic"J" H4 headlamps in Green\|Beadlocks on 37" Toyo Open Country's\|Tubed Bed, Converted to 4 seater\| CLICK HERE & VOTE FOR DEVIN

06-03-2008, 01:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tofer Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 5,771	oh wow...... __________________ 3genRunner: including parts from 3 generations of 4runners, '92 pickup, '80something Land Cruiser, Chevy truck, Ford sedan 89 4runner: Project DD. 3.0, needs a new tranny 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \| quad hauler, leaks oil but gets 26mpg 91 Honda Prelude: the Daily Driver WA, OR or CA wheeler?? Check out pacific-crawlers.com and check out yotaworks.com

06-03-2008, 05:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
ocdropzone Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 2,834	Get your chain for the high Lift but you will also need some straps. Many organized Club runs will not allow the use of chain for vehicle recovery. __________________ ~Robb '81 Trekker SR5 B4Runner Build '89 Tercel Project POS Gas Saver TREKKER Forum LINK TO ONLINE FACTORY SERVICE MANUALS All Toyota Website Search Engine Wheel Responsibly, Don't screw it up for others...

06-04-2008, 05:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
brooklee1000 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ontario Posts: 103	Alot of these guys are very negative about chains. They should ONLY be used for static pulling(no jerking!!)) like you would be doing with your jack. It is a 100% reliable, manpowered, never fail extraction device, and if not for winching, then for jacking the truck and putting crap under the wheels. I was out with a friend, 2 trucks, no winch, and we both got stuck(him while manouvering around to get me out). A highlift would have had us out in 30min. but instead, we spent the rest of the day and most of the night getting out. As a cheap last resort tool that can mean 10 hours stuck or 30min stuck + 9.5 hours of wheeling, you decide. If money is no object, the winch is the way to go, I have one now, but my highlift still rides in my tool box as back-up. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! 3/8ths inch or heavier grade 70 chain would be my rec for your application as a minimum. Thats what I carry. 5/16s inch cable is what most winches run, you could use that too. The stronger the rating, the better. NEVER use a tow strap for extraction with your jack. They can stretch and are not static enough for that application. __________________ Toyota does it Better, Longer, Faster, Stronger.

06-05-2008, 03:32 AM	#15 (permalink)
4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NC Posts: 22	Ok thanks tc and brooklee1000 - 3/8 grade 70. That's what I needed. I'll probably get some cable too, to extend my reach. I know only to use it (the chain) for static pulling. Me and my brother have been planning a trip up the through Canada and the Alcan highway for a few years now.. We were both going to drive our trucks so we could do different things and not get on each other nerves too badly. Gas prices almost caused us to cancel the trip, but we decided we could do it with just one truck. It's a little hard to use a tow strap when you've only got one truck, and that's the reason we'll need the hi-lift and chain. I remember helping my grandfather winch his tractor out of the mud with a hi-lift, but that was back in the 80's - too long to remember exactly how to do it.. I seem to remember there was a way to do it so he didn't have to completely reset the rig each time it got to the end of the jack. we'll have to brush up. Some of you guys sound like limp-wrists! Yeah, lots of stuff can hurt you. Use your tools right, use your head, and take your time. You all stay nice and safe at home. - I'm going to Alaska! __________________ '98 Toyota Tacoma regular cab 4x4 SOLD '04 Toyota Tacoma extended cab 4x4 V6 TRD, OME suspension - 881 coils, 265/75r16 Maxxis Bighorns SOLD '98 Toyota 4runner 4x4 V6, 5 speed, RR DIFF LOCK, 265/75r16 BFG AT KO Last edited by 4x4 : 06-05-2008 at 03:56 AM.

06-05-2008, 11:04 AM	#18 (permalink)
n16ht5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 253	I dont even carry a hi lift anymore just beacuse most of the situations you cant use one safely. I just wheel with a partner now, or I dont wheel. period. i carry a cum a long just in case with 40ft of strap i dont wheel anymore except snow... before, when I wheeld a lot, wheni had my 85 runner, the 2nd thing I got was a winch. (1st was the bumper) __________________ photos.chrisneibauer.com - Truck Photos chrisneibauer.com - My Photos Alpentalic Last edited by n16ht5 : 06-05-2008 at 11:07 AM.