I have the cheapest tow strap I could find. It's been used exactly once by the person I loaned it to.
I personally haven't ever needed it in the 14 yrs I've had my current 4WD since it's my daily driver. (I had my other 4WD truck 11 yrs before this one)
There have been quite a few times I thought that the "daily driver" was going to need some repair or towing but got out of those situations by careful driving, taking my time and/or dropping the tire pressure down to about 3-4 lbs, then re-inflating for the drive home.

You are going to chew up your running boards WAY more than you will ever get stuck.

A couple in Australia died because they got stuck in sand, dropped tire pressure a *little* bit then left the "stuck" vehicle. After their bodies were found, the investigators dropped the tire pressure in their rig down to 3 lbs and DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT.
Never leave the boat! (Jay "Chef" Hicks)

I'm still trying to figure out what kind of SUV the op has...
Doesn't look particularly off road capable (relatively low).

^^It's a Lexus badged Land Cruiser.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Getting the Intercomp gauge. Would get a compressor but have to get a larger size. But wondering if I can actually air down with practical benefit. I thought I read that 285/50/20 doesn't really allow for air down (say, down to 20-25psi)

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable comments, but I suspect that size tire doesn't have enough sidewall to allow the tire to flatten out and increase the contact area. I use a Viair 400P Automatic for my truck and 5th wheel. I run the rear truck tires at 65 unloaded and 80 loaded. The tires on the 5th wheel are load range G at 110psi. The 400P is rated at 20 minute running then it should be turned off for 40 minutes.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

There is a difference between a recovery strap and a tow strap. Most of us that off road carry recovery, some both.

I think you're right about airing down the 20" tires. I air my 17" down to 12 lbs when in sand,
15 lbs for general off road use. I use a Viair 400P and it airs them up in a reasonable amount of time.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I'm still trying to figure out what kind of SUV the op has...
Doesn't look particularly off road capable (relatively low).

Lexus LX570. She's dressed in her street clothes, but very offroad capable.

Yup. LX570... The suspension was probably in the Low mode (ease of entry/exit). Has about 8.5" in Normal mode and another inch or two in High mode. (I forgot the actual numbers, need to go look in the manual again. And probably need to measure it to confirm).

I'll try to research more about how low I can deflate 285/50/20 tires.

Continuing to read on the straps but it sounds like it's generally recommended to start with static straps (especially for my likly situations - soft sand rather than deep mud). Kinetic are more useful for the deep mud, really jerky unstuck efforts (my understanding from reading the webz this morning). Static is good enough for slow, soft sand, shallow mud recovery.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:

I like the Bolt locking receiver pin. Plenty heavy duty, and it adjusts itself to your key the first time you insert it, so you don't need to carry extra keys. Your ignition key opens the lock. Get the right one for your brand of vehicle, about $25 at Amazon. I got mine after seeing it mentioned here in another thread, because I keep a receiver cover on all the time that might be tempting to steal.
 

That lock is sweet... Getting one of those AND a trailer coupler pin would save two keys on my key ring.

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
I suspect you'll have some sort of factory tow point on the front, but if not here's a good option.

http://trail-tailor.com/store/...ront_Tow_Mounts.html

I have factory front tow points but not sure what they are rated for. Still trying to figure it out.

200 series -- would that apply to my LX? Where would I mount it? Is there an existing bolt pattern / hole?

Sounds like 15psi is GTG for 285/50/20 although not sure how much additional tread patch it would provide vs the 37psi I'm starting to use now.

I wonder if anybody has compared 15psi in 285/65/18 vs 285/50/20 - how much tread patch is actually on the ground.