Stuck in the mud in Idaho

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Stuck in the mud in Idaho

June 10, 2023, 04:51:15 pm

Pulled into the Sweet spot in Boise national Forest North of Boise Idaho. At the time the ground was dry and everything looked good. After a few days it started to rain and after a couple days of that I thought I should get out of where I was and move to higher ground since it was going to rain for another 4 days. When I first pulled in this spot was dry as a bone but looking at it now I see that it is in the drainage of the surrounding high ground. So I picked a bad spot. My plan was just to back it up until I hit some firmer ground and then just pull out but unfortunately the front wheels were dug in pretty deep. So for the last couple days I've been rocking it back and forth trying to build up some soil underneath the front wheels to get it out. I've got plenty of fuel and enough food but my water situation is getting critical. At least in the tanks. I've caused some damage to the front of the coach now due to the slope and at this point I'm wondering if I should call progressive and try to get a wrecker out to pull me out or just wait until next week when the rain is supposed to clear up and things will start to dry out. I haven't called progressive yet so I'm just looking for some other opinions.
Should I stay and wait until it dries out and then attempt or should I just call progressive and be done with it? What would you do?
Again I'm not in a super hurry but I am anxious.
Also what tire pressure should I lower it to? I'm thinking the front wheels I should keep them up but the back I'm not getting much traction. I dropped on the 100 PSI I don't know how much further I should go input needed thanks

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #1 – June 10, 2023, 05:06:24 pm

Bob,start pulling weeds and grass to put under the wheels,any gravel or rocks around,if the forecast is sunny tomorrow wait for some sun,any rugs or mats,old Flo might not want to come where you are.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #2 – June 10, 2023, 05:48:03 pm

Off-road regular size jeep go from 35psi to 15psi ish for reference.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #3 – June 10, 2023, 06:12:00 pm

Progressive winched me out of a soft area last year. Don't be afraid to call them. Depending on where you are, you might need to find your own service and Progressive will reimburse.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #4 – June 10, 2023, 06:16:12 pm

[Moved to Discussions for member input on how to safely extract - I know there may be some concerns related to the bulkheads with this - Michelle]

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #5 – June 10, 2023, 07:20:24 pm

Definitely call

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #6 – June 10, 2023, 07:25:36 pm

I would call for a wrecker service, there is no way of knowing how wet it will get there after 4 more days of rain. Get out, get to town, get the tanks dumped and filled. Why take the chance of things getting worse? I suppose you have a towed that can get you out if things got worse but I wouldn't want to leave the coach behind.

Just my opinion, but i don't like the feeling of being "stuck" anywhere......

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #7 – June 10, 2023, 07:36:13 pm

Already tried putting gravel under the wheels etc I tried using my outdoor mat on the back wheels for traction but that just created a big mess. Right now it's sunny and it's drying up somewhat but it's calling for rain for the next three days in the afternoon. The problem I see with the wrecker is a can only get me from the back as I've got several trees and more soft area into the front and it's a little bit on the wet side there as well. If I just was able to pull straight back I think it would be fine but a large wrecker would probably disturb the soil enough that I may just get stuck back there as well. I've only got a small little entrancing tool so either tomorrow I'll drive the Boise or I'll wait for Monday and go in town when the true value opens and I can get a long-handed Spade there.
I hear what you're saying I'm just got concerned about the wrecker as well. One of the things I was thinking of is using my 20-ton Jack to raise the front wheel so I can fill in underneath it cuz that's really what's effectively holding me plus the mud in the back. Those Toyo tires are pretty slick they have very little traction. Not enough to get me out of the hole at the front wheels are in.
I think with the flat piece of wood I have and the Jack I might be able to do it but the area that I'm thinking of putting the Jack still has a hole and water so I have to fill it in. Plus I need to Spade to dig the front out because the last attempt cause even more damage and pulling me back is going to rip the front bottom completely off I think. If I can get the tires out of the hole then inflating the air suspension all the way should prevent the front from being damaged anymore.
I don't know I'm just kind of a little strung out right now been dealing with this myself for three or four days and finally decided that it was time to seek another opinion.
There's an area about 150 yards away that has a pile of gravel so I have a lot of gravel I can carry back and forth but I need a bigger shovel.
The last time I called progressive was when I was at John 44's house and we lost a beat in the tire. I never did get a call back from them and after a while I just canceled it so it's another reason why I'm a little hesitant. If I can self extract then I'll call him and have them look at it for the damage.
Appreciate everybody's input and I'm open to more. It looks like it won't really dry out here until mid next week. But it doesn't rain all day just for a few hours here and there

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #8 – June 10, 2023, 07:36:53 pm

For me, the cost of a Wrecker bill would be worth avoiding the stress of being stuck that long. And I say that with more experience than most

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #9 – June 10, 2023, 08:06:02 pm

How far are you from a hard surface? Is it behind you or in front of you? I would consider digging a drainage ditch from the low spot where the water is standing away from the coach to a lower area so that if it continues to rain the water will run off away from the coach. If you have the time in my opinion, I would wait it out until the ground drys out, (That could be a week or more) if you try to drag your coach through the mud from the rear you could possibly do sever damage.... It is one thing to pull it straight back, but if you start to lift the rear of the coach you risk straining the structure. If it were me while the ground is wet I would remove as much dirt from behind both the front and rear wheels (Dig a trench) for the wheels to travel in until they clear the wet area.. You my need to get some help (Labor) to dig out.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #10 – June 10, 2023, 08:20:00 pm

Call Progressive. That's what they are there for.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #11 – June 10, 2023, 08:20:59 pm

Bob. the generator would help dry the area forward of the front tires. Agree to dig drainage if possible.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #12 – June 10, 2023, 08:26:34 pm

If you can jack the front up and then dump good gravel under the front tires that would help and
shovel out around the front of the coach. Gerry has good ideas. A wrecker might not even try to get
in there as it may get stuck or not have enough traction to pull you out. Dry weather is you best
friend.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #13 – June 10, 2023, 08:47:41 pm

Bob, if you really need to move to mitigate water damage, 4X8 sheets of 1/2" plywood are your friend. At least 8 of them. Jack up the wheels and slip them underneath. Try not to drive off the other side. I place something on the ground next to my window to show me where to stop and move the other 4 sheets of plywood.

Next time, plan your escape route.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #14 – June 10, 2023, 09:07:53 pm

It rains some this morning but most of the afternoon has been dry and sunny. I'm going to go into town tomorrow a 30 MI drive and get a shovel and some water for my 5 gallon container. I really think a wrecker would not work here right now. With the shovel I can dig a trench from behind the front wheels that will ramp up so to speak backwards. That would get my front wheels out of the ditch and that most definitely will fix my problem once it's dry enough to get better traction.
Anybody have an idea the lowest I can lower the air pressure in these tires without messing with the bead? If I lose the beat on the tire then I'm really screwed so I don't want to go too low. Their toyos m177 295/75/R22.5
They call them on Monday to find out.
Picture is of the driver side front wheel and that would be the one I would dig out behind it same with the other side.
I'm still going to call progressive of course to get a quote on any damage that was done but I'm going to try to self recover first.
The nearest paved road is 1/8 of a mile up a gravel road. The ground behind the coach is somewhat dry since the sun's been hitting it most of the afternoon and on a slightly upslope. If I could get it up there I could get it out of here there's a couple of puddles before I get to the gravel area of the road but I could easily get to them once I'm moving at a decent speed.
Once it dries out more of course. Also about digging a trench to drain it it's a good idea but I'm basically at the bottom of this area. It does slope off to the West some but I would need an awful lot of help to do that. I've actually been able to drain most of the puddles by hand with a small container going into a big Lowe's bucket and then dumping it away. Most of the standing water is away from the wheels now with the exception of one wheel and if it continues to be sunny most of the day I'm hoping hoping that it will dry out more

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #15 – June 10, 2023, 09:35:15 pm

Good luck. I wouldn't mess with the tire pressure.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #16 – June 10, 2023, 09:39:16 pm

I wouldn't be letting any more air out of the rear tires, digging out behind front tires would be your best bet and let things dry out a bit and you'll walk her out of there.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #17 – June 10, 2023, 09:43:08 pm

Just had a nice phone call with Chuck AKA craneman
Who gave me some good ideas that I'm going to try out tomorrow. Let you know if it works. But I still got to wait till this area dries out more. Thanks for all the ideas appreciate it.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #18 – June 10, 2023, 09:49:45 pm

I am not so sure that I would lower the air pressure in the tires at this time. You are already stuck, flotation will not help and Our tires are not wide enough to actually function as a flotation tire, letting air out will only lower the coach into the mud creating more drag from the under belly and front bumper area. from the pictures I saw, make sure your front wheels are straight not angled either way so that they will track into the rear wheel path.... I would think if you could dig a track behind the front tires a lay a 8ft or 10ft 2x6 in it, that would help lift and support the front as you move backwards. You could also to this with the rear tires, dig a trench and place support boards in the tracks... A lot of work but will save you damaging you coach any more than it already is..

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #19 – June 10, 2023, 09:57:45 pm

If you can find someone to operate your Jeep a bit of a tug would probably pull you out of there, freeing up the front tires would be helpful.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #20 – June 10, 2023, 10:44:39 pm

X2 on what Doug said, Linda has pulled ours out Twice with our wrangler. Mud both times

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #21 – June 10, 2023, 11:57:29 pm

Fourdayoff and I were talking about a situation like this as we walked around SEMA last year. We talked about how having some Maxtrax recovery boards would be really helpful. In your case, it may be what you need. They look like this: Maxtrax Mkii Sky Blue Mkii Recovery Boards MTX02TG New limited edition. ARB...

Anyway, you mentioned going into town...I'm not sure if that's Boise or not, but if it is, Google Maps shows a 4x4 shop on the NE side of Boise called Bucks 4x4. Their website is basically a holding page, but the one of the trucks pictured has a set of these boards on it, so I'm guessing they may sell them. Might be something to consider. Looks like they open Monday at 9am.

Bucks 4x4

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #22 – June 11, 2023, 12:01:37 am

Gosh. I didn't notice the 3 photos you posted in your original post. I have no idea what the terrain looks like in front of your coach but I suspect it is similar to your current location and unless you want to stay there for a while you are going to need more than a Jeep to get out of there. .

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #23 – June 11, 2023, 12:41:04 am

The terrain gently slopes down in front of the coach but I have a large aspen tree to the front left and in directly in front a medium sized conifer tree. Plus the ground is more uneven. When I pulled into the site my plan was to back it out and then around. When I pulled in it was totally dry. Next time I will pay more attention to drainage. It was the only area where I was able to get level. Which is why my front wheels are in a little bit of a depression to start with as it leveled me out easier. But the ground was pretty dry and very hard.
Google Maps

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #24 – June 11, 2023, 08:29:00 am

Maybe there an contractor with a backhoe or a front end loader a truck near by,all you need is a very small pull back with a chain l got stuck on the side of a road the shoulder was soft sank on the roadside. and a farmer came out with a bail of hay for weight for TRACTION, on the front forks and pull me a back on the road this happened twice and I was in nowhere land.

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