almost got myself into a situation last time off road and don't really know how I would have gotten out. looking for advice so that when i do get stuck this way I know what to do....

driving down a steep hill (maybe 25% - see side view picture), dry, dusty slippy surface. trail is very cambered and has deep channel on both sides plus a tree right in the middle (see front view picture).

i slow down to make sure i am not gonna hit the tree or end up in the channel at the side. front stops but back starts to slide. i start driving again to keep the thing straight and manage to just drive around the tree. however i could have easily slipped until i was completely sideways and then slid into the tree and got jammed up on it (see top view picture).

if i gut hung up on that tree how do i get myself out of there? i have front mounted winch, shackles, tree straps etc - there are lots of trees around but not enough room to just winch in the forward direction. and of course, no other jeeps in the picture!


thanks!

 

Cut the tree down, continue down the trail.

 

i like it! need to add chainsaw to list of tools as it would have taken a while with my sven folding saw!
but if was planning to "tread lightly" can i do some clever winch, shackle, angle-changing sort of thing?

 

Technically you could have hooked to something on the side and tried to drag the front end off to the side of the tree, however you risk going into the ditch or doing damage to the side of your jeep.

Ideally you would have somebody else behind you to pull you back up away from the tree.

 

Depending on how steep it was (can't REALLY know since none of us was there), you probably could have put it in reverse and gotten out yourself just by spinning the tires and sawing the wheel back and forth until it grabs. If no traction, try to find stuff to put under the tires to get traction.

 

this is the sort of "clever" thing i was thinking of. found a link to allow you to winch backwards.....
Winch backwards with a front-mounted winch
of course, you need trees in the right place, lots of recovery gear etc.

 

Yup that's what I would have done

 

Easy solution, don't wheel alone.

 

Well, in that scenario... the good news is, the tree stops you from rolling, so don't cut it down, give it a big hug. Then, ignoring the crunchy noises coming from the side of your Jeep, run out your winch line at a sharp angle and start slowly pulling the nose of the Jeep uphill, allowing the back to pivot. Stop and re-rig the line as often as needed, winching incrementally, until the rig has pivoted to face uphill again.

And, I'm quick to depart from the conventional wisdom: Wheel alone, and do it often. Just be prepared for the unexpected, and accept the risk. So what if you die? Everyone does. At least you lived up until that point. Good for you.

Just my .02

 

thanks! i think this is probably what i would have done