Helping stuck cars in the snow?

[Equilibrium31]

Hey there,

I'm a bit of a Jeep newbie here, but I've found this forum really helpful for getting my feet wet in using my Jeep for more than just daily driving. However, I wanted to check in with others here in snowy climates:

If you see people stuck in snow banks during winter weather, do you ever stop and help pull them out? If so, what do you think is needed before attempting this?

 

[06TJ35's]

D rings, tow strap and a good place to pull from the vehicle. Maybe a d ring tow hitch.

 

[Duke-TJ]

Be aware of liability doing this.
It's not like days past when folks were all grateful for the free rescue.
I know that some carry a printed liability waiver for any/all damage that may be caused during the attempted recovery.
Always ask the vehicle owner to attach the hook/like to a tow point themselves.
Hate to think this way, but it is 2018, not 1988.
Welcome!

 

[TJ2]

Be aware of liability doing this.
It's not like days past when folks were all grateful for the free rescue.
I know that some carry a printed liability waiver for any/all damage that may be caused during the attempted recovery.
Always ask the vehicle owner to attach the hook/like to a tow point themselves.
Hate to think this way, but it is 2018, not 1988.
Welcome!

That is why it is better to help only the jeepers for they do not have the arrogant mentality.

 

[Duke-TJ]

I ALWAYS stop for Wranglers. I'm no mechanic, but I travel with tools, Jumper cables, a tow strap, and a winch. Occasionally something comes in handy. I carry a gas can too and have run folks to a station if they're dry.

 

[ac_]

I used to stop in snowy conditions, I mean I still would but I moved to where there is no snow. But you always have to think of things like if you are winching someone you have to stop traffic. I had a friend helping someone and no warnings and a car slid down the small hill into my friends winch cable. He was not happy. Well nobody was. What ever you do alway always think twice about safety even if you think nothing could happen something can. That said there is nothing like driving along and winching some car or truck back onto the road.

Years and years ago we used to go wheeling up at Ocean Shores WA, and we would tow/winch stuck people on the beach. One weekend I bought a new winch I couldn't afford, for a weekend of fun at the beach, and it was a busy. I never charge people, but I would take tips and one weekend I made enough in tips to pay for my winch, and believe me nobody complained.

 

[TJ2]

I used to stop in snowy conditions, and believe me nobody complained.

You probably live in the burbs.
That is rare around Chicago where I used to live.
Even the JK clubs over there gets into our nerves once in a while.

 

[ac_]

I actually moved far away from snow now, but yeah I lived in the burbs for sure there.

 

[T Crawford]

I’ve pulled a couple of people out of ditches and what not and it really depends on the situation and the people. The two that come to mind I felt like wouldn’t be able to afford the wrecker charge when the police got there , a high school girl hit the ditch trying to miss a cat, and another guy slid off the road in icy conditions. It was safe to pull off the road and put a five minute winch pull to put them back on the road

 

[jjvw]

I'll stop and push by hand or help dig. I have no idea where I would attach a line to most modern vehicles and I really don't want to have any responsibility for any damage that might happen.

If the stuck vehicle has hooks or some other obvious point of attachment, I might think otherwise.

My biggest fear while pulling or winching in an urban area is the other people driving by not knowing what is going on. Pulling a car out of ditch usually means blocking the road in some manner. I'm usually not equipped for traffic control.

2003 Rubicon

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Be aware of liability doing this.
It's not like days past when folks were all grateful for the free rescue.
I know that some carry a printed liability waiver for any/all damage that may be caused during the attempted recovery.
Always ask the vehicle owner to attach the hook/like to a tow point themselves.
Hate to think this way, but it is 2018, not 1988.
Welcome!

X2, we would all be wise to heed Duke's advice. Be aware that few cars have suitable attach points for our winch hooks, tow straps, etc. and significant damage can be caused to their vehicle by attaching to an unsuitable point.

 

[T Crawford]

The other time I recall the idiot with his mini van at ocean shores wa, dumb bleep. I used a tow strap to his hitch pin had to tell my wife to steer his van because he was so damn dumb. Probably shouldn’t have done that one

 

[ac_]

The other time I recall the idiot with his mini van at ocean shores wa, dumb bleep. I used a tow strap to his hitch pin had to tell my wife to steer his van because he was so damn dumb. Probably shouldn’t have done that one

I have pulled BMW's out at Ocean Shores before. More than once. Who are these people?

 

[T Crawford]

Foreign imports making Washington home usually really nice folks that make dumb decisions

 

[Mike_H]

I've done it, but its really depends on the situation. If its a busy street, than nope...wait for the proper flashers. I will also make them hook up to their car...with recommendations if necessary. Some people just don't have any idea and you catch them wrapping a strap around their axle or something. I try to be helpful, but you really have to think about the consequences if something were to happen.

 

[Liberated]

I always stop, but have a funny story from one instance I never did get answers for.

Three years ago we got a huge snow storm. On my way to work, I saw headlights in a ditch up ahead. It was still dark, but as I walked up to the car, the snow was only disturbed by the tire tracks leading into the ditch, with no footprints. When I got to the car there was nobody inside. Looked around, called out and looked around for if maybe someone was ejected, but nobody was around. No footprints, doors and windows closed, fresh tire tracks, and headlights still on. I have no idea where the driver went.


Good snatch strap, intelligent and careful pulling, and as already mentioned, preferably let the stranded party attach to their own vehicle.

 

[TehHeep]

That scenario offers up too many liabilities. A simple signed paper waiver MIGHT hold up in court, but you still have to go to court and defend yourself to find out if it will. Ultimately it is up to the judge and how good the lawyers are.

What if you happen injur someone during the recovery (shit happens)?

What if you damage their car pulling it out? Or what if you don't and they say you did? What if their insurance company pursues you?

What if a third party loses control (conditions are bad) of their vehicle and plows into you during the assist and kills you/injurs you?

Sad to say 9 times out of 10 I will not pull someones vehicle out, we are living in a different world. One full of lawyers looking to do pro bono injury claims for a guaranteed percentage of the winnings. One full of ungrateful self entitled individuals looking for an easy pay day.

One time I came across an accident that had just occurred and resulted in a rollover with the vehicle coming to a stop on it's passenger side. The vehicle was smashed up good as it had also struck tree(s) in the rear.

The vehicle was still running, the occupant was inside freaking out as the opposing door wouldn't open and the back end was smashed up good.

There were a few people stopped already, just watching, calling 911. I actually see a lot of this now, people just stop to watch.

I didn't want the vehicle to catch fire with the woman still inside waiting for emergency workers to arrive.

I ended up using the mid size axe that I carry with me to blow her windshield out and get her out of there. She said thank you, I denied her my name, and I got back in the Jeep and left hoping no one got my license plate on camera.

All of my other snow recoveries have been people I know/trust.

 

[1515art]

I don’t usually let this stop me, but always keep in mind... no good deed goes unpunished.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

I don’t usually let this stop me, but always keep in mind... no good deed goes unpunished.

Amen brother. BT, DT, got the T-Shirt.

 

[ac_]

Shit now a days you can get sued if you stand and watch. What next? I guess we are safer just not to stop at all?

I personally will help out to the best of my abilities, and will deal with the outcome. If someone sues me because I damaged their car to save their lives at least I saved a life. It would suck, but saving lives is probably better than worrying about being sued. I would rather get sued for saving a life, than getting sued for standing there watching because I was worried about being sued.