Off-Road Recovery Techniques: A Practical Handbook on Principles and Use of Equipment (Off-road & four-wheel drive) (Paperback)

~ Nick Cole (Author) "A picket is a stake driven into the ground for the purpose of anchoring a device or rope..." (more)
Key Phrases: traction ladders, snatch blocks, electric winches (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Everything you need to know to get you out of those tight spots! Cole teaches you how to extricate yourself and your vehicle safely and with minimum damage both to your 4x4 and to the environment. Includes coverage of electric winch data, vehicle weights and capacities, holdfast and deadman anchors, traction aids, towing and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Motor Racing Publications (December 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189987013X
• ISBN-13: 978-1899870134
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,278,074 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author's comments, January 22, 2002

By	Nick Cole (Perthshire, Scotland) - See all my reviews

I was interested to see a number of comments. I realise that it may be complicated and strove not to make it dependant on maths. What prompted me to put the book together was a collection of briefing and lecture notes that I had created while running my small company and giving instruction. I was acutely conscious of some glaring health and safety failings on the part of many people undertaking off-road (ie emergency) style recoveries. In the main it is not intended to be a collection of 'if you are stuck like this photos' and this again was a conscious decision because of the enormously wide variety of situations that could occur. In any case the understanding behind such a picture would still be necessary otherwise the learning point would be reduced.

My main target was to give people a feel and understanding of what may be involved in any situation and loads on winches and materials, what the ground could support, and so on is fairly crucial. This also involves bridging in which the scope for fatal disaster is extremely high.

The tables at the end are sufficent to enable someone to work out almost anything without a calculator, so long as paper and a pencil available. Not that I necessarily would do that but in the middle of nowhere with a vehicle up to its axles in mud or across a ravine making sure that nothing too hazardous is attempted should be common sense.

I was guided by the publishers to a certain extent who felt that it didn't need significant re-presentation. I had also produced a laminated quick reference card but this wasn't practically publishable. This is still available by special request.

I am pleased that most people have gained something constructive and hope that at least a few dangerous situations have been avoided.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not enough, September 23, 2005

By	Thomas Kennedy "Off-Road Recovery" (San Jose, CA. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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I found the information somewhat outdated most explanations in the book are better done elsewhere. The book deals with offroad recovery situations most fourwhelers will never experience. I suggest going to a basic offroad "live" class and forget this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Recovery, September 21, 2005

By	Scott B. Clausen (SLC, UT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book was a little disappointing. It covered the topic and had some very detailed number crunching charts. But for the money Four-Wheeler's Bible is just as good on recovery and has many other topics for the same price.