Using one car to recover another (Kinetic Recovery)
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:17 am
The following article on Kinetic Energy Recovery is a must read for anyone using their car to recover another one from the sand.
http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/KER.htm
The key step in the article usually missed is that the towing vehicle should have the clutch down just as the recovery strap goes tight. You definitely do not want all that energy shock loading your drive train. Shock loads are suddenly imposed forces, like the strike of a hammer, that tend to break things. You know the worst is happening when you see the pulling vehicle's wheels spinning after the strap has gone tight. Using the proper technique it might take an extra try or two to get the stuck vehicle out, but your transmission, transfer case, axles, differentials, drive shafts and wallet will thank you.
In a car with an automatic transmission take your foot off the accelerator just as the strap goes tight. Let the momentum of your car do the work.
As an aside, recent posts on broken ring gears might be traceable back to incorrectly done Kinetic Recoveries.
http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/KER.htm
The key step in the article usually missed is that the towing vehicle should have the clutch down just as the recovery strap goes tight. You definitely do not want all that energy shock loading your drive train. Shock loads are suddenly imposed forces, like the strike of a hammer, that tend to break things. You know the worst is happening when you see the pulling vehicle's wheels spinning after the strap has gone tight. Using the proper technique it might take an extra try or two to get the stuck vehicle out, but your transmission, transfer case, axles, differentials, drive shafts and wallet will thank you.
In a car with an automatic transmission take your foot off the accelerator just as the strap goes tight. Let the momentum of your car do the work.
As an aside, recent posts on broken ring gears might be traceable back to incorrectly done Kinetic Recoveries.