Pulling Vehicles out of a Ditch in the Snow

[4570Man]

Regarding CVT, I read somewhere they shouldn't be towed with the wheels on the ground. Maybe that's why it's missing? :confused3:

Just grasping at straws.

That probably applies to going down the road like behind an rv or wrecker. I don’t see how pulling it a few feet at low speed in neutral could hurt anything.

 

[5030]

All I know is. we are getting hammered with snow and high winds right now and I bet tomorrow it will be a 'winter wonderland' and as usual, I'll be snatching 'idiots' out of the ditch. Put the snatch strap in the cab after I mounted the rear blower. Supposed to get 10-12 with high winds so it will be 4 foot drifts. Haven't been hammered like this in at least 5 years.

Kids like to come out to the 'country' and play on the secondary roads and ultimately wind up in the ditch and I'm only too happy to relieve them of some money for a pull.

Tomorrow should be interesting.

 

[Stan B]

Regarding CVT, I read somewhere they shouldn't be towed with the wheels on the ground. Maybe that's why it's missing? :confused3:

Just grasping at straws.

I mean, CVT or not, it would be for recovery purposes only, so not going very far. I'm guessing it either got "value engineered" out, or, given how much aluminum there is on the car, maybe they were no longer confident that little eye hook could pull the whole car!

 

[5030]

12" and drifting and I've already yanked to souls out of the pucker bush this morning. Time to plow and blow snow now.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think I would size the people up. Also the vehicle. You can afford a luxury car, you can afford a commercial tow. So many variables to consider.

Remember a neighbor I pulled out years ago. Drove off road where Grader had made flat area given the appearance of road, over ditch, in his Van and enclosed trailer. Wanted to pay me but said he didn't have his wallet with him. He knows where I live but I have never seen him again. If I ever see him again, I must remember to ask if he is carrying his wallet.

Good elderly friend (with one eye) asked me to tow his Malibu a few miles including a two lane highway, from a garage where he declinded to have work done. I refused. He wasn't very happy.

I have a pile of various car carrier chains that go in those special frame holes. My Dad always collected them on his walks. So the Day my GF got stuck in her Sunfire, I did have a good way to attach to her vehicle. I still broke the air dam. Of course, I said nothing and she was HAPPY I pulled her out.

 

[CobyRupert]

Hey, some of them farmers daughters are pretty stout gals. They can usually take care of themselves.

Sturdy girls is what they call them around here
...sometimes...if out hearing range...

 

[CobyRupert]

I am also amazed at how often the stuck driver is clueless about how to point the wheels. Sometimes, even if you get them oriented properly to start, they proceed to crank them once the car starts moving.

True. Something I’ve never thought about, but saw recently.
When pulling vehicle out of ditch from rear. The towed vehicle should turn front wheels to roll “uphill”. (How to describe.? Turn the opposite direction from if they were driving themselves out. The “counterintuitive” direction. The opposite direction you’d turn if you were “steering” the rear end out.
The pulling vehicle pulls the rear end out, the front end should roll out with it, not steer the front end further into the ditch.

 

[MoKelly]

So the Day my GF got stuck in her Sunfire, I did have a good way to attach to her vehicle. I still broke the air dam. Of course, I said nothing and she was HAPPY I pulled her out.

Pontiac Sunfire. That brings back memories.

I had a Sunfire convertible while in college. Thought it was the greatest thing.

MoKelly

 

[Industrial Toys]

Of COURSE hers was BLACK. Had a sunroof and we kidded about her golden hair blowing out the roof as she sped down the highway.

 

[MossRoad]

Reminds me of many years ago being sent to CA for school for some systems at my job. Was sick on the plane from Chicago to L.A. Get to L.A. at 2:00am and go to car rental. Sorry, we messed up your rental and don't have anymore mid-sized cars. Grrrrr..... Would you take a convertible instead for the same price? Sure!

Little white Pontiac Sunfire. I was still sick. I had all Sunday to kill. So be sick in my hotel or be sick in a convertible? What the heck. So I drove out to the Sequias for the day. Riding around the giant trees with the top down. What great fun.

Week later I turned in my expense report. I had 9 receipts for saltine crackers and Sprite from gas stations from the first 2 days I was there. :laughing: