Stuck in the mud

[Jammer]

Flash flooding led to the arrival of 4" of silt in our campsite and in the area between the campsite and the road this weekend. We ultimately had to extend our stay by a day to await the arrival of help. We were camped at a designated site at a municipal campground; ours was one of two sites where flooding created serious traction problems.

The TV had been parked separately and we went to town and bought 2x10 lumber to provide a firm base to allow us to reach the trailer and hitch up. Once hitched we did not have enough traction to move the trailer.

There are a number of lessons/reminders to take from all this:

1) The "roadside assistance" type plans will not help you -- at all -- if you are stuck more than 25 feet from the road. It's not a matter of them paying -- they won't even dispatch help. (Ours is through our credit card and administered by Allstate; I imagine others have similar fine print)

2) On holiday weekends there is absolutely no guarantee that 24 hour towing places will call back. We went through the phone book and called six of them on Monday afternoon (Memorial Day) and did not receive any callbacks.

3) Come Tuesday morning we found that most towing places are not interested in or equipped for difficult recoveries. A 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban with a 30' trailer that is stuck in the mud is something that gets referred to specialists.

4) In today's world people generally do not help strangers. We did ask around the campground and despite it being a relatively straightforward pull could not get anyone to help us. All my life I've pretty much stopped and helped people when they ask but I think that the prevalence of cell phones and roadside assistance has changed the culture.

5) Good tires and 4wd made a big difference. Without them we would have been unable to reach the trailer at all and in fact probably wouldn't have been able to get the TV out of the location where it was parked.

6) We did have to skid the front of the trailer a little bit, and the ProPride hitch made this more difficult than it otherwise would have been since it was impossible to set the trailer tongue down on the ground.

Ultimately the "day crew" managing the campground contacted a nearby farmer and had them bring a small tractor over. It didn't take much to get us out.

I downsized my "recovery kit" some years ago and don't carry much more than a shovel and a tow strap these days. I'm reevaluating that. With a come-along or a hi-lift jack, and some chain, we could have pulled ourselves out.

[Lily&Me]

Bummer, bummer, bummer.

Glad you made it out.

We learned some of those hard lessons after trying to sit out snow and ice in Missouri a few years ago. Could not get a tow. After 3 days, it warmed up a bit and we dug ourselves out with a hatchet and a folding camp saw.

One of the things boondockers are warned about at beautiful Padre Island is that if the truck has to come onto the sand, it is a $$$ recovery, not a tow.


Maggie

[dznf0g]

Think something like this would get you out of most trailering situations? pretty light weight, 2000lb pull. I would think one could fabricate a temporary mounting system for front tow hooks or receiver.

ATV Winch - 12 Volt ATV Winch with Load-Holding Brake

[LFM]

Ah yes, a farmer was there to help!

[outofcontrol]

Awww. That looks like a good time! slingin' mud, gettin' dirty!

Bummer someone wouldn't come over and help. I would be there in a second, but I like this kind of stuff. Although I don't know how much help I would be. My tow strap is only about 20-25ft. long. I carry tire chains in my truck for winter snow that I've used in mud to help someone out of a hole. But I'd hate to make it 3 stuck vehicles.

I agree about the "stand by" mentality these days. Although I don't think it's because they don't care or don't want to get involved, I think they just don't know what to do. I see grown people that don't know how to change a flat all the time. Blows me away.

All I think of is when the zombie apocalypse happens, these will be the first victims.

-Kevin

[Foiled Again]

I have a 2 wheel drive truck (DON'T make that mistake if you're buying a new vehicle!) but of course even a 4 wheel truck can get stuck, and slick wet grass can do it! I've found that my little orange leveling blocks also make a darned good traction source IF i go very slowly and let the differential slip do the dirty work. I have two bags of the things and can move about 6 to 8 feet before I have to move the blocks forward for the next leg. Your situation though - that would be marginal because 4 inches of mud in front of the trailer wheels would act like glue. I don't have a big that fits under the canopy - but if I had one I'd make it a sacrificial offering for the trailer wheels to roll over.

Hooray for the farmers of America. Glad the tractor got you out.

Paula

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Think something like this would get you out of most trailering situations? pretty light weight, 2000lb pull. I would think one could fabricate a temporary mounting system for front tow hooks or receiver.

ATV Winch - 12 Volt ATV Winch with Load-Holding Brake

I've had winches on some of my pickups. Based on line size, that one is good for around 800 pound pull, less than some of the hand winches (come-alongs). I suppose it would help some of the time.

I'm currently thinking that a somewhat heavier hand winch is the way to go. NH and some other sources have a 2500 pound capacity one (9/32 cable) for around $150. Combined with a pulley block (snatch block) and the right combination of chains and straps they can do a pretty good job.

The thing with winches is that they're heavy and expensive (by the time you get a mount and wiring) and require maintenance if they're going to be there when you need them.

Originally Posted by outofcontrol

Awww. That looks like a good time! slingin' mud, gettin' dirty!

With the right attitude we would have had fun with it. Unfortunately, we had work and family obligations that we missed that kept us from cultivating the right attitude.

Bummer someone wouldn't come over and help. I would be there in a second, but I like this kind of stuff. Although I don't know how much help I would be. My tow strap is only about 20-25ft. long. I carry tire chains in my truck for winter snow that I've used in mud to help someone out of a hole. But I'd hate to make it 3 stuck vehicles.

I agree about the "stand by" mentality these days. Although I don't think it's because they don't care or don't want to get involved, I think they just don't know what to do. I see grown people that don't know how to change a flat all the time. Blows me away.

All I think of is when the zombie apocalypse happens, these will be the first victims.

I'm not sure what to make of it. One guy we talked to had a 3/4 ton truck and a bunch of rope and chain but declared that he used to be a mechanical engineer and an inactive Marine and based on his engineering experience and time with the Corps it was plain to see that we needed to call up one of those semi wreckers because that was the minimum it would take to get the job done.

Go figure.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, glad to hear that you finally got out; I wouldn't want to be in that situation. The closest I have been was in South Dakota in October. The night before we planned to leave, it snowed. The path from our camp site to the main street was slightly up hill. Fortunately my two wheel drive Lincoln got us out.

[dirigible25]

It is hard to wrap my mind around people that will not at least attempt to lend a helping hand. I tend to lean towards the idea above that many in this day and age just aren't equiped with enough experience to be of any help, they are lost at what to do. You would think that they would offer to follow some basic instructions if they were at a loss of ideas on their own, and as for the "engineer" that wouldn't attempt to help, that baffles me totally. Glad you made it out and sorry you missed out on family commitments because of this set back.

[dannydimitt]

Have toted chains around for the last 40 something years , the only time I ever had to use them was for MUD , it's a nasty and dirty dripping wet process but they do work extremely well when you have to use them.
sorry that no one would offer help.
Besides the chains I put a 12000 pound winch on the front of the Dodge and an assortment of straps, shackles and snatch blocks in the tool box.
And a high lift jack in the back. an assortment of 2x10 blocks etc.
We will be headed up to Alaska next week and hope that all the extra stuff
will just ride up there and back unused, but would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[AirsDream]

This is one of those object lessons about "being prepared" like a Boy Scout or the Coast Guard. Lots of naysayers on the Forums about four wheel drive, but when you need it, you need it bad and you need it right now. I learned about this early on in my Airstreaming career, where due to a little mud and wet grass, I literally could not move the trailer without engaging the 4WD. If you only stay in nicely paved places on high ground, your experience maybe different.

Probably thirty years ago I got stuck way off road when fishing, and if it hadn't been for a shovel, a come-along and an axe, my 4WD truck might still be there. Now I carry the axe and come along and shovel and now also a high lift jack and a tow strap and 100' of 3/4" rope. Some folks (including the DW!) scoff at all this gear. But I've pulled out quite a few folks who were pretty stuck. And I've learned that unless you're buried up to the differentials or frame, it really doesn't take a whole lot of pull to get out. A winch is handy IF you can get a good anchor point. But the easiest "out" is a friendly person with a 4WD vehicle in low range, on solid ground, attached to the other end of a tow strap or rope.

Glad you got "unstuck!"

[mapley3]

Sorry to hear your story. There are times when nothing will get you un-stuck except a tractor. Ask anyone who was at Duluth in 1991. And, you can't carry every tool known to man "just in case". But, I learned long ago from an experienced Airstreamer to carry a folding shovel and a small bottle jack. Those two tools and a lot of patience will get you out of most "stuck" situations. I have found fellow campers to be very helpful. Last September, just days out of the hospital, I had a blow-out. I was too weak to change the tire and Good Sam couldn't figure out where we were. A man camped nearby in a Circle Track Magazine motorhome came to our rescue and changed the tire. We have been full-timers for five years and have found the vast majority of other campers/travelers to be very friendly and helpful. Hope your experiences improve.

[AWCHIEF]

I read this and got thinking about when Lucy and Desi got stuck in the "The Long, Long Trailer" movie. It was funny when they got stuck, not so funny in real life.

[outofcontrol]

Originally Posted by Jammer

With the right attitude we would have had fun with it. Unfortunately, we had work and family obligations that we missed that kept us from cultivating the right attitude.

I can see that. I'm imagining me and my friends having a good time getting a truck unstuck. If you add my wife and a timeline it gets not-so-fun really quick.

Good ideas about the winch. I have a 12,000lb Warn winch that I inherited. I started looking at bumper mounts, and bumpers, and sheesh you could easily spend $2k getting it properly setup. And I might never use it. I like your idea of a $150 hand powered job. I could justify that.

That engineer has governmentitus. I'd give him a break if he's a Vet, but those are weak excuses.

I'd really like to see how you've modified your carry along kit after this experience. Let's say you had a winch and enough rope/chain. Do you lower the tongue onto some wood and drag it that way? I could see myself damaging the tongue jack or burying it in the mud.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by outofcontrol

I can see that. I'm imagining me and my friends having a good time getting a truck unstuck. If you add my wife and a timeline it gets not-so-fun really quick.

Good ideas about the winch. I have a 12,000lb Warn winch that I inherited. I started looking at bumper mounts, and bumpers, and sheesh you could easily spend $2k getting it properly setup. And I might never use it. I like your idea of a $150 hand powered job. I could justify that.

That engineer has governmentitus. I'd give him a break if he's a Vet, but those are weak excuses.

I'd really like to see how you've modified your carry along kit after this experience. Let's say you had a winch and enough rope/chain. Do you lower the tongue onto some wood and drag it that way? I could see myself damaging the tongue jack or burying it in the mud.

Had a tow driver use that method once on my SOB which was stuck in a grass storage lot after flooding. He bent the tongue jack.

[dannydimitt]

Yep , the tongue jack can be mutilated when trying to drag the trailer out of a bad spot while not hitched to a tow vehicle.
Have had to do this more times than I would like to admit , but so far have never damaged the jack. I'll place the jack on a good solid 2x10 about 3 ft long or longer, not in the center but near the end and have the long end
facing the direction that you want the trailer to go . this creates sort of a makeshift ski that the tongue will ride on . The jack will usually stay on the board and shove it along the ground with an occasional whack with a hammer or log to keep it going in the right direction. I will always lower the jack to the absolute lowest level that will keep other parts on the front of the trailer out of the mud, gravel etc. You can lessen the chance of damage by attaching your sling or chain both on the bottom part of the jack itself and onto the frame , then use a shackle to hook the loop to whatever it is your pulling with. Proceed dead slow and monitor the set up at ALL times .
This has got my bacon out of the fire several times in the past with no damage to anything.
Hope ya never have to use it

[Jammer]

Thanks for the stories and support.

Originally Posted by outofcontrol

Good ideas about the winch. I have a 12,000lb Warn winch that I inherited. I started looking at bumper mounts, and bumpers, and sheesh you could easily spend $2k getting it properly setup. And I might never use it. I like your idea of a $150 hand powered job. I could justify that.

I once had a 1996 Dodge Ram pickup. When it was new I bought a (then new to the market) Mile Marker hydraulic winch for it, and a removable mount from Superwinch. The removable mount was so badly designed it wasn't really usable, and so I ended up sending it back and getting a Warn mount, which wasn't removable but worked much better. I can't remember the details but it ended up costing a lot of money by the time the whole project was complete, around $2000.

I had it for 5 years and used it a number of times, mostly when I was out playing in the mud on purpose or to pull out other cars. I did take a number of lessons from the experience:

1) It is a major undertaking to use the winch, approaching an hour to set everything up , winch out, and then clean and put everything away. Using a tow strap and another truck is much quicker.

2) There are a remarkable number of situations where there isn't a suitable anchor point available and you have to get help from another vehicle anyway, e.g. anytime you're in the ditch and are trying to winch back onto the roadway.

3) The fact that the winch is bolted to the front of a truck is problematic in that there are a sizable number of situations where you really need to winch out to the rear. (In the example upthread, it would have been ideal to winch rearward to hitch up, rather than using all those planks, for example)

I'd really like to see how you've modified your carry along kit after this experience. Let's say you had a winch and enough rope/chain. Do you lower the tongue onto some wood and drag it that way? I could see myself damaging the tongue jack or burying it in the mud.

Well, as the old saw goes, generals are always preparing to fight the previous war. So, I'm trying not to overdo in preparing to deal with this particular calamity again. But winching through 100' of mud, snow, or ice isn't an uncommon problem, so let's at least consider.

On this trip I was carrying a small recovery kit consisting of:
- a 20', 2" nylon tow strap
- a short-handled shovel
- a double-bit axe
- a hand saw
- an 8 ton hydraulic jack
- some blocking, consisting of a few pieces of plywood and those orange lego-shaped leveling blocks.

The missing pieces were:
- some longer pieces of strapping, chain, or rope
- some kind of pulling device
- stuff for attaching to other vehicles that don't have tow hooks.

I think that, in the end, I'm going to add a couple of lengths of 5/16" grade 70 chain to my kit. It's cost effective and much lighter than 1/2" hardware-store chain, and has the same strength. It's sold as "binder chain" with grab hooks already on the end, because truckers use it for securing loads. Chain has two advantages over straps. You can shorten it by hooking it in the middle, and it isn't easily damaged by sharp edges (or much of anything else).

I'm pretty sure I'll also add a recovery hook that will mount in the 2x2" receiver, because the ProPride stinger isn't a suitable attachment point.

I'm thinking I'll also add a couple of the T hooks that fit into the frame holes in most cars, to deal with the possibility of being towed out or having to tow out a car without a trailer hitch.

And maybe a come-along (ratchet hoist, cable hoist, whatever) of one size or another, although I think that in most foreseeable situations it won't be necessary. Another possibility would be a hi-lift jack, which can do the same thing but is more versatile, but a pain to store.

[Phoenix]

I assume it was dry when you pulled into the campsite. Is it possible that you could have waited a few days, and the ground might have dried out enough to drive out?

Note: You didn't mention exactly where this campground is located.

Sorry, if this is a dumb question...

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I assume it was dry when you pulled into the campsite. Is it possible that you could have waited a few days, and the ground might have dried out enough to drive out?

To fully understand the dynamic at work, you have to realize that we work as performers at open-air festivals. Typically we stay in campsites provided by the show organizer as part of our contract. It was dark when we arrived, and dry, and the show management guided us to the site and asked us to disconnect our tow vehicle and park it out of the way, to allow them to park cars right up to our trailer during show hours.

We were on stage on Sunday when the really heavy rains began, and at that point show management was still concerned about making ruts in the grassy areas of the site and didn't want us to hook back up. We could see that we were on high enough ground that we weren't at risk for flooding, so we figured we'd just wait it out. Besides we still had to take the stage on Monday and there weren't any obvious better places for us to park. What we hadn't counted upon was the silt washing in from the adjacent cornfield.

The site is located in rural Iowa. Rains have continued since we left. I would imagine that, depending on weather, it will dry out enough in 1-2 weeks that it will be possible for a rig like ours to drive on it again.

We did consider leaving the trailer and departing with the tow vehicle alone. The distances involved and our upcoming travel plans elsewhere, combined with the uncertain weather, made this a poor choice, and there were concerns about theft and vandalism from leaving the trailer unattended.

[outofcontrol]

I think with just a longer strap/chain/rope you could have rescued yourself.

It's hard to prepare for every situation. Good people around you and ingenuity are the best tools.

I was thinking of this situation when I read your tale. And thanks for sharing, it's a good one. I like the details that you're a performer at festivals.

We tried from several different directions, but ended up joining both his and my tow straps together to get my Tacoma on semi-dry ground to be able to pull the mighty Cummins out. Yes, Toyota rescues Dodge.