Get the Thor's Lightning Rapid 4-Tire Portable Adventure Air System here ( thorslightningairsystems.com/products/thors-lightning-rapid-4-tire-air-system ) as well as the AirVault2 to hold it all ( thorslightningairsystems.com/products/thors-lightning-airvault2-dual-air-compressor ) - **and** check out these smart, lightweight and heavy duty hitches from Weigh Safe! ( www.weigh-safe.com/TFL )
I have wheeled and explored for 40+ years. This gentleman knows what it’s all about. I am going to find a class of his to send my 18yo son too. Thank you and stay safe.
My .02 on those octopus airline inflate/deflates. More crap to pack and haul around, longer setup and re-storage. A set of Coyote deflators that you can put on all four tires to deflate quickly and fit in the palm of your hand. One Harbor Freight coiled airline attached to my Puma continuous duty cycle 12v compressor (Puma-PD1006 or the tankless variation) with a lockable chuck for quick inflates reaches all four corners. Here in the West, if you're out for several days say in So. UT., you'll potentially air up/down several times as you traverse from one long trail to the other via pavement. The easier and quicker that happens, makes everyone traveling with you happy. Efficiency and weight reduction. Heed his warnings on the bow shackles and don't be the dork that leaves them on all the time. Sure sign of someone that *never* goes off-road here in AZ.
I am glad you guys use and promote Thor’s lightning compressors. I have had mine for years and this thing just absolutely rips. It is accurate and gentle enough for bike tires, but also can fill up 4 40 inch tires fast. A lot faster than ARB, Viaair etc.
This is great and I'm glad you are getting Eric on here more frequently. The gear is nice to learn about, but, as he touched on at the end, you don't want to be "all the gear and no idea." It would be interesting if you can gather a network of training facilities, like Eric, for different regions.
54:45 Really good advice about using a jack to get the tire up a bit so the traction board can be put under it instead of trying to drive onto it. Much easier and more effective imho
Thank you so much for posting this video. As a newbie to the overland off road community this really really helps!!! You guys rock keep up the awesomeness you do!!
Doing mostly independent travel, i made a conscious decision to purchase quality equipment many years ago and it has paid for its self many times over, use it, clean it, and service everything. It is then ready to use. The winch I put on my 300 series is a Sherpa 17,000 pound. My 100 series had a 10,000 pound Milemarker hydraulic winch great thing, The Sherpa is over kill however it is the same weight as a 12,000 pound. Also the pulling power with two layers out is close to a 12,000 at optimum. A long handle post hole shovel great for reaching under the vehicle and a smaller spade for moving rocks and hard soil. A reciprocating saw with different blades sorts out most small timber up to 10 inches.
This is such great information! Thank you so much! I need to learn how to use this equipment properly, and this is kind of an introduction to "you're in a bad place now what" class. I don't know of anyone here on the east coast that can teach a recovery class, so I'll be watching for more of this. Maybe some day I can get out there to CO and learn from the masters! At least now I have an idea what gear I should have.
I like the weight safe ball mounts. I have one in both vehicles and carry 3 most common ball sizes. I have several original High Lift jacks and use them regularly.
Regarding the cheap vs expensive maxtrax. If you have a normal weight rig like a jeep or a land cruiser (even a 200) then the expensive version will be your best bet. But I've bent two sets of the expensive trax with my 9000lbs offroad rig - so now I just get the el cheapo ones off of ebay and they work fine 3 or 4 times then get tossed. Wasteful, but I'm not spending $300 on a set of plastic that I'll just break like the cheap ones.
I advise Gen 9 Bunker boards- they use the same material as the good boards, but only cost $20 more than the cheapest options. I have used mine a LOT for other people and they are holding up amazingly well. Even if they only last a few more uses than the cheap ebay ones for you they are probably going to be cheaper per use. Note- this is NOT any bunker brand boards- just their gen 9's (and 10's maybe?) - I believe the bunker board that also come with the middle connecting piece included are the ones you want.
I own a tree service, in some locations in the US, they inspect ropes, harness, slings, ect. The government only allows those items to be in service for some amount of time. Especially with climbing and crane work, which is why you would choker the sling or slings.
TFL should consider a couple episodes of Eric doing “real-world” recovery scenarios putting this gear to use. Also curious about Eric’s opinion on thar AT4 that got stuck up on that CO mountain trail
On 4WD 24-7 or 4WD Supacentre, they show you how to use recovery gear safely in off-road situations. They explain that a winch must be used frequently to get it warm and remove moisture so that when you get stuck, it will work. They show how you can stack MAXTRAX 2 or 3 high to fill a hole or build a ramp when rock crawling. They even show how to use 2 to 4 winches to get a rolled vehicle back on its wheels. It's also good to see what happens when a winch strap breaks or a recovery attempt fails and they need to rethink and try something different. My favorite part of those videos is the beautiful Australian scenery.
Good stuff. I’m a doc, I’ve seen a kid in the ER (that unfortunately died) from using an under weighted chain to pull a truck. Chain broke, shot back, hit his head
I wish they would stop leaving these broken on the trail, had a shard of one picture my tire.. Not to mention trashing the trail.. rear locker and lowering tire pressure does wonders, but I did use these successfully in the snow.
They are also useful for a lot of other cases. 1) Using for bridging to reduce winching loads in some complex recoveries (Preventing a wheel from falling in a deeper hole for example) 2) protecting winch lines from rocks 3) using as "fake rocks" instead of rock stacking. Rock stacking ruins the trail for others, but a couple of light traction boards can fill in a hole, be taken away quickly, and no impact was done 4) in mud and snow you CAN be totally stuck but get out with traction boards as part of the solution- you can even use a hi lift to pick up a wheel and place a board directly underneath it.
He makes his living pulling people out so I'm sure he'd rather not have people be able to self-recover. I've also seen him pull off a tow ball, which is just stupidly dangerous. 🙄 The Aussies have been using them with success for years.
Interesting plug. Useful tips for what to buy. However, I am surprised a "come along" or "manual winch" was not mentioned. Along with bumper winches, frame mounted winches, slide in hitch winches, PTO style vs electrical. Perhaps that would be in advanced "Gift Guide"? As it would undoubtedly be another video for people to click on. Also surprised that the hi lift was mentioned, since none of the other items I mentioned were not. For a "pro/expert" all these tools should be covered. Even if it is not on his recommendation to use list. And when it comes to "advanced" or use what you got list, that would be interesting to see if he aligns with my experiences and or suggestions. Such as manufacturing your own winch out of nature. Videos are out there on that as well. I subscribe to the #1 rule about all this, use common sense. Your brain is the 1st place to start. Keeping your brain from being clouded by drugs and booze is essential. Being well rested, hydrated and fed is also important so you are not fatigued when attempting a recovery. Which means, bringing food and water along. Gear is no good if you yourself cannot operate it affectively. My basic gear when I was doing this regularly was gloves, shovel, recovery strap(we agreed there)a come along winch. Later added a hi lift jack. Misc. other things were added and subtracted as the years went by. I found a lot of things nature provided already for us. Traction boards are great, but you can make your own. And or use things out on the the trails.(depending on the terrain you run in)
I have no interest in spending $40k on a bag (a piece of leather + labor = $1000 max) imagine paying $39k on this brand. Totally unnecessary. If you are also looking for niche yet fashionable products, kislux is definitely your best choice. There are many treasures hidden here that have not been discovered by the public
It's a habit I learned a long time ago working construction with my dad, and now training and on recoveries. An injured hand just makes a bad day worse.
Please do not do "another video" . Lots of good information, but the guy is borderline insufferable. I've watched the first two videos you've done with this guy; I would not tolerate a third. On the other hand.......I would love to do a video n how this guy gets around to all of these recoveries with normal looking tires. I am getting a bit tired of ever TFL video telling me that X-vehicle would be great if only it had 42" tires and then never testing the impact that those tires have on roadholding, braking , acceleration, mpg or ride. Realize that at best people spend 5% of their vehicle use off road. This expert does not have the stupid tires that are always suggested as required. I for one would love to know why he can get into all sorts of crazy recovery spots that TFL insists you cannot do without 42" tall tires.
Get the Thor's Lightning Rapid 4-Tire Portable Adventure Air System here ( thorslightningairsystems.com/products/thors-lightning-rapid-4-tire-air-system ) as well as the AirVault2 to hold it all ( thorslightningairsystems.com/products/thors-lightning-airvault2-dual-air-compressor ) - **and** check out these smart, lightweight and heavy duty hitches from Weigh Safe! ( www.weigh-safe.com/TFL )
As someone who works with overhead rigging equipment everyday, this guy knows his stuff!
This is truly an excellent source for recovery gear. Now, I'm searching to see if there's classes available. Thanks guys.
Definitely, there is so much in this video. Glad to see they broke it into chapters
I have wheeled and explored for 40+ years. This gentleman knows what it’s all about. I am going to find a class of his to send my 18yo son too. Thank you and stay safe.
My .02 on those octopus airline inflate/deflates. More crap to pack and haul around, longer setup and re-storage. A set of Coyote deflators that you can put on all four tires to deflate quickly and fit in the palm of your hand. One Harbor Freight coiled airline attached to my Puma continuous duty cycle 12v compressor (Puma-PD1006 or the tankless variation) with a lockable chuck for quick inflates reaches all four corners. Here in the West, if you're out for several days say in So. UT., you'll potentially air up/down several times as you traverse from one long trail to the other via pavement. The easier and quicker that happens, makes everyone traveling with you happy. Efficiency and weight reduction.
Heed his warnings on the bow shackles and don't be the dork that leaves them on all the time. Sure sign of someone that *never* goes off-road here in AZ.
I am glad you guys use and promote Thor’s lightning compressors. I have had mine for years and this thing just absolutely rips. It is accurate and gentle enough for bike tires, but also can fill up 4 40 inch tires fast. A lot faster than ARB, Viaair etc.
This is a terrific video, thanks.
That hour flew by! It also made me realize how poor I am.....I want two of everything and can't afford one of anything!! Haha!!
This is great and I'm glad you are getting Eric on here more frequently. The gear is nice to learn about, but, as he touched on at the end, you don't want to be "all the gear and no idea." It would be interesting if you can gather a network of training facilities, like Eric, for different regions.
54:45 Really good advice about using a jack to get the tire up a bit so the traction board can be put under it instead of trying to drive onto it. Much easier and more effective imho
Thank you so much for posting this video. As a newbie to the overland off road community this really really helps!!! You guys rock keep up the awesomeness you do!!
Very informative/education for a new off-roader like me. Thanks
I like watching these videos with Tommy and Future Tommy
Doing mostly independent travel, i made a conscious decision to purchase quality equipment many years ago and it has paid for its self many times over, use it, clean it, and service everything. It is then ready to use. The winch I put on my 300 series is a Sherpa 17,000 pound. My 100 series had a 10,000 pound Milemarker hydraulic winch great thing, The Sherpa is over kill however it is the same weight as a 12,000 pound. Also the pulling power with two layers out is close to a 12,000 at optimum. A long handle post hole shovel great for reaching under the vehicle and a smaller spade for moving rocks and hard soil. A reciprocating saw with different blades sorts out most small timber up to 10 inches.
This is such great information! Thank you so much! I need to learn how to use this equipment properly, and this is kind of an introduction to "you're in a bad place now what" class. I don't know of anyone here on the east coast that can teach a recovery class, so I'll be watching for more of this. Maybe some day I can get out there to CO and learn from the masters! At least now I have an idea what gear I should have.
You can check out Ronny Dahl because he makes videos about what recovery gear you need and how to use it properly.
Thanks for the Christmas list recommendations! :D
Excellent video, I appreciate the expertise! Going to look at a class as well up in Denver.
I like the weight safe ball mounts. I have one in both vehicles and carry 3 most common ball sizes. I have several original High Lift jacks and use them regularly.
Regarding the cheap vs expensive maxtrax. If you have a normal weight rig like a jeep or a land cruiser (even a 200) then the expensive version will be your best bet. But I've bent two sets of the expensive trax with my 9000lbs offroad rig - so now I just get the el cheapo ones off of ebay and they work fine 3 or 4 times then get tossed. Wasteful, but I'm not spending $300 on a set of plastic that I'll just break like the cheap ones.
Agreed. Sometimes, I buy the cheap stuff, knowing it will break/bend and be tossed...
Holy heck, off roading with 9k Lbs!
That's gotta be a handful when trouble happens, where do you typically off road?
I advise Gen 9 Bunker boards- they use the same material as the good boards, but only cost $20 more than the cheapest options. I have used mine a LOT for other people and they are holding up amazingly well. Even if they only last a few more uses than the cheap ebay ones for you they are probably going to be cheaper per use. Note- this is NOT any bunker brand boards- just their gen 9's (and 10's maybe?) - I believe the bunker board that also come with the middle connecting piece included are the ones you want.
I own a tree service, in some locations in the US, they inspect ropes, harness, slings, ect. The government only allows those items to be in service for some amount of time. Especially with climbing and crane work, which is why you would choker the sling or slings.
if i don't carry my hi-lift jack on the outside of my vehicle, how will people know i'm an off-roader ? 😆
Excellent info 👍
Learned something. Thank you
Really good video!! Thanks Tommy!
Two Toyota Trail Teams bags! One is street cred, two is just spiking the football.
TFL should consider a couple episodes of Eric doing “real-world” recovery scenarios putting this gear to use. Also curious about Eric’s opinion on thar AT4 that got stuck up on that CO mountain trail
On 4WD 24-7 or 4WD Supacentre, they show you how to use recovery gear safely in off-road situations. They explain that a winch must be used frequently to get it warm and remove moisture so that when you get stuck, it will work. They show how you can stack MAXTRAX 2 or 3 high to fill a hole or build a ramp when rock crawling. They even show how to use 2 to 4 winches to get a rolled vehicle back on its wheels. It's also good to see what happens when a winch strap breaks or a recovery attempt fails and they need to rethink and try something different. My favorite part of those videos is the beautiful Australian scenery.
@@aerynlovell4754 TY!
Good stuff. I’m a doc, I’ve seen a kid in the ER (that unfortunately died) from using an under weighted chain to pull a truck. Chain broke, shot back, hit his head
Never use chains for that reason. Straps are much safer and lighter.
Don't forget a griddle for the lunch break
When u got to winch backwards, you need to grab the come along
Nice hat!
Good video
I wish they would stop leaving these broken on the trail, had a shard of one picture my tire.. Not to mention trashing the trail.. rear locker and lowering tire pressure does wonders, but I did use these successfully in the snow.
I see a learning series partnership in the making…
In the words of Matt’s off-road recovery; if traction boards got you out, you weren’t actually stuck.
Remember one thing, though. Matt rarely deals with any mud. He is in a mostly sandy environment. It's different here in CO.
Been out on several recoveries and traction boards are great for protecting synthetic rope from the rocky terrain.
They are also useful for a lot of other cases. 1) Using for bridging to reduce winching loads in some complex recoveries (Preventing a wheel from falling in a deeper hole for example) 2) protecting winch lines from rocks 3) using as "fake rocks" instead of rock stacking. Rock stacking ruins the trail for others, but a couple of light traction boards can fill in a hole, be taken away quickly, and no impact was done 4) in mud and snow you CAN be totally stuck but get out with traction boards as part of the solution- you can even use a hi lift to pick up a wheel and place a board directly underneath it.
Except he used em in a recent video.
In low traction environments like mud and snow, they absolutely can help.
He makes his living pulling people out so I'm sure he'd rather not have people be able to self-recover. I've also seen him pull off a tow ball, which is just stupidly dangerous. 🙄 The Aussies have been using them with success for years.
23:09 Man, I hope China's military equipment is made in China. 🤣🤣
you never asked about the rating on his concealed carry on his right hip 😝
Interesting plug. Useful tips for what to buy. However, I am surprised a "come along" or "manual winch" was not mentioned. Along with bumper winches, frame mounted winches, slide in hitch winches, PTO style vs electrical. Perhaps that would be in advanced "Gift Guide"? As it would undoubtedly be another video for people to click on. Also surprised that the hi lift was mentioned, since none of the other items I mentioned were not. For a "pro/expert" all these tools should be covered. Even if it is not on his recommendation to use list. And when it comes to "advanced" or use what you got list, that would be interesting to see if he aligns with my experiences and or suggestions. Such as manufacturing your own winch out of nature. Videos are out there on that as well. I subscribe to the #1 rule about all this, use common sense. Your brain is the 1st place to start. Keeping your brain from being clouded by drugs and booze is essential. Being well rested, hydrated and fed is also important so you are not fatigued when attempting a recovery. Which means, bringing food and water along. Gear is no good if you yourself cannot operate it affectively. My basic gear when I was doing this regularly was gloves, shovel, recovery strap(we agreed there)a come along winch. Later added a hi lift jack. Misc. other things were added and subtracted as the years went by. I found a lot of things nature provided already for us. Traction boards are great, but you can make your own. And or use things out on the the trails.(depending on the terrain you run in)
A shovel and a rope/strap. Is really all you need.
You offroad guys crack me up. I go deep in the woods on a pedal mountain bike with an intertube, multitool, and airpump. 😂
When your bike weighs 10,000 pounds you might look at it a little differently.
It's almost like there is a difference between a 20lb bicycle and a 5000lb vehicle 🤔
They're a clevis.
This video has great information but really stands in need of visual context. Imagine this context with some B roll.
I have no interest in spending $40k on a bag (a piece of leather + labor = $1000 max) imagine paying $39k on this brand. Totally unnecessary. If you are also looking for niche yet fashionable products, kislux is definitely your best choice. There are many treasures hidden here that have not been discovered by the public
lol these yahoos are experts??!!! lol 😂
Is it me or does him wearing his gloves the whole time bug you too?
It's a habit I learned a long time ago working construction with my dad, and now training and on recoveries. An injured hand just makes a bad day worse.
Clearly Eric bought all his equipment prior to Bidenomics. All his prices were quite a bit low.
Please do not do "another video" . Lots of good information, but the guy is borderline insufferable. I've watched the first two videos you've done with this guy; I would not tolerate a third. On the other hand.......I would love to do a video n how this guy gets around to all of these recoveries with normal looking tires. I am getting a bit tired of ever TFL video telling me that X-vehicle would be great if only it had 42" tires and then never testing the impact that those tires have on roadholding, braking , acceleration, mpg or ride. Realize that at best people spend 5% of their vehicle use off road. This expert does not have the stupid tires that are always suggested as required. I for one would love to know why he can get into all sorts of crazy recovery spots that TFL insists you cannot do without 42" tall tires.
The in the history of TFL I don’t think we’ve ever recommended 42 inch tall tires 😂
So knowledgeable, well spoken, experienced, and helpful folk are borderline insufferable to you? Maybe you’re on the wrong channel…
"I won't tolerate" you could always go watch another channel bud