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.
Pulling others out...
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Topic author - I finally get the smurf thing
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Pulling others out...
Previous Vans: 1998 Astro, AWD, 138K mi; traded on 2003 Chevy Astro, AWD, 125K mi; traded on
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 WT, 4x4, ext, long box
2007 Chevy Cobalt
1998 Maza MPV (180K mi and in need of PA inspection--only paid $500!)
Needed: a Gen 2 Astro project vehicle...
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- I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: Pulling others out...
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.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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- Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:44 pm
- Location: Birmingham, MI
Re: Pulling others out...
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.
99 sle awd safari
Another addition to cash for clunkers.
Another addition to cash for clunkers.
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: Pulling others out...
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
crate 350 bored .60 over, 700R4, lifted...yada yada yada. Who cares what i have, ITS FAST AND I LOVE DRIVING IT!!!
Re: Pulling others out...
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.
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.
98 Safari RWD. Stock.
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
Do you smell what Barack is cookin ?!?!
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- I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: Pulling others out...
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.
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.
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Pulling others out...
Say what?!?!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.
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Pulling others out...
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.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
Re: Pulling others out...
WVKayaker wrote:Say what?!?!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.
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
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"