Chevy & GMC Vans

If you live in an area likely to get snow, you realize the value of keeping a few things in the back of the van--things like a snow shovel, or maybe a tow chain. I've been keeping a tow chain and a come along, and often end up pulling others out of snow drifts. Just tonight I pulled a Jeep Cherokee out of a drift if you can believe that. The funny part was the onlookers claiming I would hurt my van...

I'm curious to know how many others use their vans for this.

Nothing wrong with using an Astro for recovery as long as you anchor to a solid point. When I still had Blue (2000 AWD Astro), one wonderful winter storm using a tow strap and hooking it to my hitch, I pulled several cars from their parking spots when we were leaving work for the day.

in the UP we get some snow and I have pulled people out many times with mine. I dont know how good it is but i dont have a hitch so i attach it to the bumper mounting bracket.

Havent pulled people out of snow but if I'm not in a rush to get somewhere Im the kinda guy who pulls over and helps people on the freeway. I've towed a couple people off the freeway with my van. People are always amazed to hear the grumble of my V8 in my little Astro

I keep a shackle insert for my hitch plus 2 snatch straps and 2 tow straps in the back along with a slew of spare parts / tools.

I've used the recovery gear quite a few times...... Funniest was my RWD pulling a lifted bronco out of a mud pit. His buddies who he called to help him showed up as I was pulling him out.. They bugged the hell out of him lol. I bet he will never live that down.

Way to go, guys.

I haven't had to pull anyone out with my van yet as there is always been a few guys wanting to use thier winches around when Somebody has gotten stuck.

I have, however, towed in two different jet skis with my sea kayak, and two different sailboats with my sea kayak. Talk about a good work out.

T.Low wrote:Way to go, guys.

I haven't had to pull anyone out with my van yet as there is always been a few guys wanting to use thier winches around when Somebody has gotten stuck.

I have, however, towed in two different jet skis with my sea kayak, and two different sailboats with my sea kayak. Talk about a good work out.

Say what?!?!

A fellow balloonist with a full size Ford van with attached trailer high centered his van on a dirt berm. I didn't pull him over the berm but did use the Safari as an anchor. He attached his winch to the front of the van and pulled himself over.

WVKayaker wrote:

T.Low wrote:Way to go, guys.

I haven't had to pull anyone out with my van yet as there is always been a few guys wanting to use thier winches around when Somebody has gotten stuck.

I have, however, towed in two different jet skis with my sea kayak, and two different sailboats with my sea kayak. Talk about a good work out.

Say what?!?!

You are such a brute Tom!

Yups pulled quite a lot of vehicles with my shackle insert to my hitch and tow rope. I posted a few photos a while back.
Still have not done anything to the front in the event I get stuck, I will be stuck :p