Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Topic: Stuck in the mud in Idaho (Read 2540 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #25 – June 11, 2023, 09:20:57 am

This isn't something I'd tackle myself due to possibility of damaging the bulkheads/coach. You are up to your wheels in mud. Why don't you call your insurance company? I assume you do not have Coachnet or the like?

The cost of paying for professional help could be much less than the damage you may incur trying to do it yourself.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #26 – June 11, 2023, 09:42:24 am

A Tow company is just going to hock a steel cable to the frame or axle and pull a back hole or front end loader with the hydraulics can do an control pull just as well the back hitch is rated to 10,000 pounds. For towing and if you also go to the rear axles that's two hock up points he went in that way he has to come out that way the least resistance

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #27 – June 11, 2023, 10:06:14 am

Never been in this situation - hope we never are.

But following the whole discussion from the comfort of my computer desk, it does seem like pulling the coach out from the rear would be most logical. At least at the back you have a strong, accessible, point to hook onto the coach: the hitch receiver. They make a device that plugs into the receiver and provides a place to hook a tow rope. Note the bold admonition to always "Pull IN LINE with hitch. DO NOT side pull".

2" Hitch Receiver Recovery Point | Yankum Ropes

If it is decided to attempt pulling the coach out backwards, I would also recommend a kinetic recovery rope rather than chain or cable. Much easier on the coach structure, and less chance of costly fiberglass body panel damage if the rope breaks.

Kinetic Recovery Ropes | Yankum Ropes

Standing by - fingers crossed for a happy resolution!

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #28 – June 11, 2023, 11:37:18 am

Drag some drain paths for the puddles.
Try to buy tire chains .
The lowest tire load scale goes to 70 ish #. Stay over that imho
Call the tow
truck.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #29 – June 11, 2023, 12:03:29 pm

Thanks for everybody's input. I'm taking it all in.
I'm not ready to call a tow truck or anything like that at this point. I'm going to try to recover myself and to do that it needs to dry out more. That means middle of next week. I'm going to head into town and get a few things and go from there. I've been scrounging the area and I found a 2x8x6 ft board that may come in handy. Also a bunch of sawdust from an old tree that will help suck up some of the moisture as well as the gravel from the road. If my tires were fully in and the bottom was up against the ground I would have a different opinion. But from my line of sight it looks like I can get out once the ground is more firm and dry. As I said in my previous post I'm not in a particular sort of hurry although my fridge just crapped out. Glad I have my booge RV fridge and freezer. I think the thermostat went.
It's relaxing out here it's kind of what I need in my life right now. My biggest mistake was trying to move it when the ground was still wet.
If my middle or next week I can't get it out by myself then I will definitely look for professional assistance.
My feeling is is if I'm going to be boondocking a lot which I plan to I really need to be able to self recover. At this point I really don't see any problem with the bulkheads. My lower bulkheads were repaired by a company in nacogdoches by the previous owner. They're not the original.
And as always this post will be here for others if they ever get into that situation.
Again appreciate you guys and updates when I have them.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #30 – June 11, 2023, 01:20:35 pm

I was going to mention the refrigerator but for some reason I thought you had changed over to a residential. Being out of level (ask me how I know) can ruin a cooling unit. Can you smell ammonia or see any sign of leakage?

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #31 – June 11, 2023, 02:11:53 pm

What abou a 12 volt heavey duty winch you could chain to a tree to help pull,could use a nylon strap to hold tension,any harbor freights nearby?

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #32 – June 11, 2023, 02:17:25 pm

Quote from: Journey, Roam, Explore – June 11, 2023, 12:03:29 pm

At this point I really don't see any problem with the bulkheads. My lower bulkheads were repaired by a company in nacogdoches by the previous owner. They're not the original.

It was more a warning not to do anything that could put unusual stress on them, like the tow operator attaching to the wrong place or pulling at the wrong angle.

I seem to recall at least one past situation on the forum where a pull-out from soft ground was suspected in a bulkhead issue discovered later on.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #33 – June 11, 2023, 03:10:07 pm

If the front is really stuck pulling from the hitch does pull on the bulkhead. See Don's post on repairing the bulkhead.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #34 – June 11, 2023, 03:52:30 pm

If anything on the front is hitting the ground, lift your front end with the leveling button. Just the front
end.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #35 – June 11, 2023, 03:57:27 pm

Also if you lift the front end open up the leveling control box and remove the 7.5 amp fuse that is
at the rear of the fuses and then it won't go into traveling mode and will stay there. That will
allow you one less thing to think about. When out put the fuse back in.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #36 – June 11, 2023, 08:22:53 pm

Quote from: Cape Bretoner – 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.

When I had my first Foretravel I drove past the Gold Nugget Mine east of Quartzsite and stopped to chat with the driver of a big front end loader who lived and worked at a quarry there. I continued on down the primitive road a couple miles, intending to camp for a few days while I prospected for gold. I tried to go down and up a big dip in the road and hung the rear end of the RV up good. The rear wheels were off the ground.
Long story short, I got the guy with the front end loader to hook up a chain and pull me out.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #37 – June 11, 2023, 11:12:16 pm

My unsolicited advice: If you don't currently have CoachNet, and you keep mentioning that you are in no hurry - THIS is the perfect time to call CoachNet and sign up with them! They have a 24 hour period after signing up where you have to wait to "use" their service. They don't have to know that you are currently stuck. Get covered and mid-next week if you need them, you've got it.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #38 – June 11, 2023, 11:45:48 pm

So just saw that you have been playing in the mud. Not good. I just joined a group here call SNORR. SOUTHERN Nevada off-road recovery group. I'm sure they have similar groups were you are. They don't charge either. I'll post the national number shortly. Everyone should have this number. Big tipping is appropriate.
Scott
Offroad Portal
(503) 877-5263
offroadportal.org
This may be more than they are willing to do, but last week they pulled a semi out of the desert near vegas in our area. Get ahold of them and let us know how it turns out. Put your awnings out to help keep water father away. Dig drainage ditches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3Mn6V1IzHw

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #39 – June 12, 2023, 12:04:04 am

Reached out to Bob by text. Another chapter tomorrow

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #40 – June 12, 2023, 12:09:52 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – June 11, 2023, 01:20:35 pm

I was going to mention the refrigerator but for some reason I thought you had changed over to a residential. Being out of level (ask me how I know) can ruin a cooling unit. Can you smell ammonia or see any sign of leakage?

I have a fridge made in Seattle that was built for Marine use. It's a bd50 danfoss compressor. It should work I just actually put a voltmeter to the 110 side and I'm not getting any power there so I'm not sure what's going on I don't have any trip breakers under the bed. It also works on 12 volt but it's still not cooling. I confirmed I'm getting 13 volts to the compressor module so maybe the modules bad. After I finish trenching some more I'll look into that.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #41 – June 12, 2023, 12:16:47 am

It was a beautiful sunny day until it wasn't. I got back from the store in McCall Idaho about 40 minutes before it really came down. Heavy rain with hail for about an hour and then just light rain for another hour. Needless to say my coach was in the middle of a pond at that point. I got a great d-handled John Deere shovel at the true value and thought I would just take the front part out. Wound up digging a whole trench about 20 ft long and 8 in wide and then I connected several of the puddles to the main trench. That took me a little over an hour and a half. Now my back is feeling it but it's okay. Hopefully most of the water will drain away during the night. I will have more rain tonight and some tomorrow. It's going to rain pretty much until Wednesday. Only for a few hours a day but still it's enough to keep the ground very wet. I don't have Coach that but I have progressive insurance and that has roadside assistance. The last time I called them when I was at John 44's house and we were working on the rear brakes and we lost the bead on one of the tires, I called and they were telling me how they were going to have to tow me and I'm like no no tow I just need help with the tire, and then we waited and waited and never got a call and I finally figured out how to do it myself.
But I will call progressive tomorrow as well as this recovery team just so that they know what's going on and where I'm at and I still think I'm going to have to wait till Wednesday or Friday before I'll be able to recover out of here even with help.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #42 – June 12, 2023, 09:59:39 am

I hate to say it but it is going to take a long time for that area to dry out. With the curent forecast it could be weeks...
Here's the 10 day for McCall and the monthly speaks for itself...
The Weather Channel

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #43 – June 12, 2023, 11:26:35 am

My thoughts are with you!

I recently dug our FT out of deep sand, and it was brutal. The difference is - the sand mostly stays where it is put. I think you were just mixing up a giant batch of dirt soup.

I hope the recovery goes fine. Scary, maybe some bucks, but then it is over. There can be a lot of worth in "over."

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #44 – June 12, 2023, 12:01:20 pm

I asked my artificial intelligence assistant about this predicament.

How do you get an RV out of mud?

Getting an RV out of mud can be a challenging task, but here are some steps you can follow:

Assess the situation: Evaluate the depth and consistency of the mud to determine the best course of action. If the mud is extremely deep or the RV is stuck at an awkward angle, it might be necessary to seek professional assistance.

Gather materials: You'll need some materials to assist in the process. Common items include a shovel, traction mats, wooden planks, sand or kitty litter for traction, a tow strap or chain, and a vehicle with enough power to pull the RV out.

Clear the area: Remove any loose mud, debris, or obstacles around the RV to create a clear path for recovery. Use a shovel or other suitable tools to dig out excess mud around the tires.

Create traction: Place traction mats, wooden planks, or other materials with good grip in front of the RV's tires. These materials can provide the necessary traction to help the tires gain grip and move forward.

Engage 4WD (if available): If your RV has a four-wheel drive (4WD) system, engage it before attempting to move. 4WD can distribute power to all four wheels, increasing your chances of getting unstuck.

Rocking technique: Shift the RV into low gear and gently rock it back and forth by slowly alternating between reverse and drive. Use gentle acceleration to avoid digging the wheels deeper into the mud. This rocking motion can help build momentum and aid in getting the RV unstuck.

Use a tow strap or chain: If rocking the RV doesn't work, you can try using a tow strap or chain to pull it out. Ensure that the strap or chain is securely attached to both the RV and the vehicle doing the pulling. The pulling vehicle should have enough power to pull the RV out steadily and smoothly.

Call for professional help (if needed): If you've tried the above steps without success, or if the RV is severely stuck, it's advisable to call a professional towing service or a specialized vehicle recovery service. They will have the necessary equipment and expertise to safely extract the RV from the mud.

Remember, safety should always be a priority during the recovery process. Exercise caution, and if you're unsure about any steps, it's best to seek professional assistance.

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #45 – June 12, 2023, 12:39:44 pm

If you can get any movement with rocking, have an assistant toss sand or traction aid in the path as you rock, eventually raising the bus a tiny bit .

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #46 – June 12, 2023, 01:19:11 pm

I don't believe it's good on the Allison to rock the coach. This situation looks far from getting it out by yourself. Throw in the towel, spend some bucks

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #47 – June 12, 2023, 01:32:48 pm

Quote from: erniee – June 12, 2023, 01:19:11 pm

I don't believe it's good on the Allison to rock the coach. This situation looks far from getting it out by yourself. Throw in the towel, spend some bucks

Agree... it's not recommended to shift from D to R or R to D directly, should shift thru N, this would make it difficult to get a rocking motion

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #48 – June 12, 2023, 02:04:08 pm

It would seem to to me the best option is to find someone with a winch, or a back hoe that can gentle apply pressure to help you. Trying to rock it out is going to be hard on things and get you deeper in. Th same applies to trying to snatch it out with pull ropes and 4WD. JMHO

Re: Stuck in the mud in Idaho

Reply #49 – June 12, 2023, 03:28:02 pm

Scott aka dsd gave me a link to a place called off-road portal.org they specialize in getting dummies out of the mud and sand. All volunteer. I contacted them today and they're looking for somebody in the area that can assist.
Yeah the way I rocked the coach back and forth was to put it in drive go forward as much as I could put it in neutral while holding the brake put it in reverse let the brake go and give it a little go juice. I'm not sure if it would damage the transmission or not I doubt it since this is a pretty robust system. I'm not going from reverse to drive though. Also while I'm doing that I'm also holding the air up button on the HWH pad... It's fun you should try it sometimes... Not.
The forecast for this area is rain today and tomorrow with Wednesday Thursday Friday should be fully sunny and then rain again on the weekend. My plan was to try and wait until Friday to fully be dried out around here. The trench I dug got most of the water away and it was sunny but now it's getting cloudy again.

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