So for you guys that know I do recovery

One Ping Only said:
And it was a miracle it didn't go far WORSE for them. I hope they realize it.
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They are aware. I truly enjoy doing recovery and do NOT want to show up to a scene where someone is hurt. EMR training is a skill I do possess however prefer not to use. It's really a hypocritical weird thing for me. In my mind, I honestly couldn't give a damn less about what happens to people I don't know. I'm not social, ( outside of online social media for my business ), and I'm surprised I can spell empathy. But I do enjoy the satisfaction of knowing several people tried to "get that truck out the mudhole" with tractors, machines, etc... and spent days attempting, then I walk in and do it in usually less than an hour with a Jeep and some knowledge. LOL.... With this being said however, here's another video. This recovery is from last night actually. Video isn't the best because the guy was using his cell phone and it was only the 2 of us about 3 miles from the nearest road/hard surface. But I got it done.


View: https://youtube.com/shorts/6ZtZg_jA8cU?si=ZCSj_9S9tybmL23a
 
Bobster said:
Just make sure you get paid BEFORE you unwind the winch... :cool:
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I accept Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, and actual cash. That discussion is had before I even head that way. With that being said, I usually tend to refer people to my facebook page, and recommend they read the sticky post I have on it. I'm aware some people on PGB don't use facebook so, here is a copy/paste of the sticky.....

Offroad Recovery can be dangerous, and people get hurt all the time trying to perform these operations without proper training/experience. I pride myself on performing a safe and efficient recovery while minimizing/abolishing damage to the subject in question beyond any damage that may already be done. I do take video and pictures not only for social media, but also insurance/documentation purposes. If you would prefer me to not post any media about your Recovery, just say so. I have no issue with that. RECOVERY IS $80/hr. That time starts once I am en route to you. I am on your clock. IM NOT stopping for gas, picking up a bite to eat, etc... Im on your clock, therefore I am getting to you ASAP to perform the recovery. Offroad Recovery is always a dynamic situation. Sometimes a recovery might take 5 minutes, and sometimes it might take 5 hours. You just dont know. There are to many factors involved to give an exact time lapse of how long it will take. I do work expeditiously as Im aware its likely a bad situation and you're ready to be done with it. However, I will not sacrifice anyone's safety or damage any property to "speed up" the process.

Edit: I've been asked about charging.... I have a passion for and enjoy recovery. This is a hobby for me. The only reason I charge anything at all, is to cover the expense of gear (I dont use cheap chinesium crap), insurance (I have a $1M dollar insurance policy on my truck for the sole purpose of recovery, and the maintenance and fuel for the truck. I DO NOT profit much if anything to do recovery.
 
NavyVet83 said:
RECOVERY IS $80/hr. That time starts once I am en route to you.
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I don't think you are charging enough! :eek: That rate should be the MINIMUM travel rate and MINIMUM charge before you even turn the key in the ignition (or wave the dongle or whatever starting method the jeep has nowadays :rolleyes: ).

Once on the scene your rates should be at least triple that. Look at what your competition charges. It is OK to enjoy what you are doing but you will enjoy it a lot more if you are making more! ;)

And have the vehicle owner sign a waiver before you get out of the truck. Inevitably, someone is going to blame you/sue you for damaging their vehicle. Sure, you have insurance now but will be dropped like a hot potato once a lawsuit is brought against you. You will love people until you don't when you realize there are some legitimate assholes out there... :(
 
Lucky are the people you help for the rate you charge. The guy who does beach recovery not far from my shack gets 500 to 1000 to recover a vehicle stuck on the sand.
 
Yeah, everyone tells me I'm cheap. I'm ok with it. I'm learning my market however, and most people don't understand the area's market for this service. Majority of these guys are "down home cajun redneck"s with little to no money to begin with, that are stubborn/hard headed and swear a pickup truck and a chain is more than enough. So when I do get the call, to them, its like admitting defeat and usually embarrassing for them. I have to explain often that I'm here to help, not judge. Now, if things keep picking up like they have been, its possible I could be doing this full time in the next year or so. If that happens, then yes, absolutely, rates will go up. Another thing that helps, is the fact that I'm the ONLY person with any actual training/experience doing this type of recovery professionally in the area, so I do stay busy when the weather goes left. It will also help me to justify the rate increase when that does happen.
 
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NavyVet83 said:
Yeah, everyone tells me I'm cheap. I'm ok with it. I'm learning my market however, and most people don't understand the area's market for this service. Majority of these guys are "down home cajun redneck"s with little to no money to begin with, that are stubborn/hard headed and swear a pickup truck and a chain is more than enough. So when I do get the call, to them, its like admitting defeat and usually embarrassing for them. I have to explain often that I'm here to help, not judge. Now, if things keep picking up like they have been, its possible I could be doing this full time in the next year or so. If that happens, then yes, absolutely, rates will go up. Another thing that helps, is the fact that I'm the ONLY person with any actual training/experience doing this type of recovery professionally in the area, so I do stay busy when the weather goes left. It will also help me to justify the rate increase when that does happen.
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Understood. A rural community ... it best to get a rep for being helpful and trusted. Then everybody always calls you.

The price of everything is what people are willing or able to pay. Sounds like you have a handle on that.
 
Bongo Lewi said:
Understood. A rural community ... it best to get a rep for being helpful and trusted. Then everybody always calls you.

The price of everything is what people are willing or able to pay. Sounds like you have a handle on that.
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A little bit. There is still ALOT of "learning as I go"
 
NavyVet83 said:
Yeah, everyone tells me I'm cheap. I'm ok with it. I'm learning my market however, and most people don't understand the area's market for this service. Majority of these guys are "down home cajun redneck"s with little to no money to begin with, that are stubborn/hard headed and swear a pickup truck and a chain is more than enough. So when I do get the call, to them, its like admitting defeat and usually embarrassing for them. I have to explain often that I'm here to help, not judge. Now, if things keep picking up like they have been, its possible I could be doing this full time in the next year or so. If that happens, then yes, absolutely, rates will go up. Another thing that helps, is the fact that I'm the ONLY person with any actual training/experience doing this type of recovery professionally in the area, so I do stay busy when the weather goes left. It will also help me to justify the rate increase when that does happen.
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I can’t argue that. Great philosophy. And your results speak for themselves. It’s so much more than “getting out a chain and git er done. You have the tools, strategy, and powerful past customer situations & results that can’t be dismissed. The best to you.
 
NavyVet83 said:
I'm not social, ( outside of online social media for my business ), and I'm surprised I can spell empathy.
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My life got so much better once I learned the subtle distinctions between empathy and compassion. They are very different and the parable that helped me understand can be adapted to Louisiana mud.

Take a person trapped in mud.

Empathy says I need to feel the same way that trapped person feels. So I go drive into the mud with my shovel and chain in hand to try to save that person. We are now both trapped in the mud together uselessly spinning tires and moving mud around with my shovel. I feel the same way as the first person but am just as screwed. I can claim self righteous honor in sacrificing my well being to put myself in that other person's mud filled boots. This is what progressives call "equity" - a fair and just world where everyone gets the same outcome. Trapped in mud together.

Compassion says you don't need to feel what the person suffering misfortune is feeling, you only need to have a rational understanding of their situation so you can use the skills and tools available to help them. You stop at the end of solid ground, assess the stricken person's situation and count the cost of what it will take to help them out of their situation without causing pointless damage to yourself or your livelihood. You implement a logical plan with proven tools to get that person out without adding your misery to theirs.

Empthy is based on feelings. Compassion is based in an understanding that there are trade-offs in every situation, that sometimes there is no good solution. Empathy lives in an idealized utopian world where everyone is a winner. Truth suffers when it conflicts with the bending of the arc of history towards justice or whatever.

The world wants you to be empathetic. Compassion is what makes the world a better place. There is no need for spelling lessons, you have your priorities straight, helping out in your community and hopefully covering your expenses.
 
Alex said:
My life got so much better once I learned the subtle distinctions between empathy and compassion. They are very different and the parable that helped me understand can be adapted to Louisiana mud.

Take a person trapped in mud.

Empathy says I need to feel the same way that trapped person feels. So I go drive into the mud with my shovel and chain in hand to try to save that person. We are now both trapped in the mud together uselessly spinning tires and moving mud around with my shovel. I feel the same way as the first person but am just as screwed. I can claim self righteous honor in sacrificing my well being to put myself in that other person's mud filled boots. This is what progressives call "equity" - a fair and just world where everyone gets the same outcome. Trapped in mud together.

Compassion says you don't need to feel what the person suffering misfortune is feeling, you only need to have a rational understanding of their situation so you can use the skills and tools available to help them. You stop at the end of solid ground, assess the stricken person's situation and count the cost of what it will take to help them out of their situation without causing pointless damage to yourself or your livelihood. You implement a logical plan with proven tools to get that person out without adding your misery to theirs.

Empthy is based on feelings. Compassion is based in an understanding that there are trade-offs in every situation, that sometimes there is no good solution. Empathy lives in an idealized utopian world where everyone is a winner. Truth suffers when it conflicts with the bending of the arc of history towards justice or whatever.

The world wants you to be empathetic. Compassion is what makes the world a better place. There is no need for spelling lessons, you have your priorities straight, helping out in your community and hopefully covering your expenses.
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You are very right, and admittedly, this is very educational to read for me. I didn't realize this. You win today's internet. lol

Emotions in general are not exactly my strong suit...
 
It seems to me that a recovery is a dynamic, ever changing puzzle that many cannot solve but you can. The ability to solve this puzzle takes some serious intelligence, some useful tools, some calm when others are freaking out, and other positive traits. I applaud you. Some people do crosswords to challenge themselves, you pull trucks out of the woods. For fun and a couple of bucks.

In my misspent youth, a bunch of guys had lifted 4x4s. One guy set up a mud bog on his farm. One in the group had a 70's Ford Maverick. No shit, he took it everywhere the 4x4s went. It was because he knew the car and how to do things. He said he pulled one of the trucks out of the mud once, snickering. My roommate in college had a Maverick, also unstoppable. That was more drunken dumb luck of the Irish.
 
bkbrno said:
In my misspent youth, a bunch of guys had lifted 4x4s. One guy set up a mud bog on his farm. One in the group had a 70's Ford Maverick. No shit, he took it everywhere the 4x4s went. It was because he knew the car and how to do things. He said he pulled one of the trucks out of the mud once, snickering. My roommate in college had a Maverick, also unstoppable. That was more drunken dumb luck of the Irish.
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One of my aunts bought a Maverick new in the early 70s. She still had that car when she died in 2011. The car was parked on the street in the city its whole life. The paint looked like chalk. The rocker panels were gone. The roof and front pillars were rusted thru, the top held only in place by the windshield glue and what was left of the vinyl roof. The seats were full of holes and dry rotted. But the damn thing started every time you turned the key. I'm pretty sure in 40+ years she had the oil changed maybe twice. No tune ups, flushes, nothing. It was on its second set of tires. The originals dry rotted.
 
bkbrno said:
It seems to me that a recovery is a dynamic, ever changing puzzle that many cannot solve but you can. The ability to solve this puzzle takes some serious intelligence, some useful tools, some calm when others are freaking out, and other positive traits. I applaud you. Some people do crosswords to challenge themselves, you pull trucks out of the woods. For fun and a couple of bucks.
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Thank you sir. And yes, recovery is VERY dynamic. One little thing can change an entire situation. A 5 minute recovery can turn into 5 hours really quick. Lol.. but yes, you're absolutely correct on all points. Usually, I dont get the call until everyones friends have tried and failed to get em out and sometimes it's the tow truck drivers that call and say it's a call for me not them. Usually I tend to get the worst of the worst situations
 
NavyVet83 said:
Usually I tend to get the worst of the worst situations
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Here ya go....a little steep! Can this be done with a single vehicle or winch like on your truck? Indexed to start at the right time....


View: https://youtu.be/JZeVJPrPJcw?t=1112

Anybody who wants to skip watching this whole video to see who made it up..... well, the only guy that made the climb up the hill legit was the first guy.
 
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I'm thinking that in-part, the first guy had an advantage in that the dirt hadn't been loosened-up yet and had a traction advantage. With whatever else he had on his side (tires, etc)
 
USApat said:
Here ya go....a little steep! Can this be done with a single vehicle or winch like on your truck? Indexed to start at the right time....


View: https://youtu.be/JZeVJPrPJcw?t=1112

Anybody who wants to skip watching this whole video to see who made it up..... well, the only guy that made the climb up the hill legit was the first guy.
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Very possibly could be done with a single vehicle/winch. In a situation like that, personally, Id position my truck directly in line with the vehicle, anchor the truck down on scotchblocks and engage both the line lock and parking brake, use one winch and 1 snatchblock setting up a 2:1 rig giving me/my winch a x2 mechanical advantage, have the driver of the vehicle EASILY apply throttle just to keep the tires moving. All that stabbing the gas is absolutely unnecessary, and imo, for safety reasons unacceptable
 
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My name is getting around more. Im currently sitting on the side of Hwy 61 in Gramercy LA. A guy called me last night and said his 2500 Sierra is stuck on side the bayou asking if I can help. My mind immediately went to oh shit, this thing is sunk. While talking on the phone I mentioned how I understand that Im usually a last ditch effort/resort call and it doesn't bother me. He told me he's been watching my YouTube videos and following my Facebook page and that I was his first phone call. WIN! the truck is on his private property however so Im sitting here just outside the edge of the land waiting for him to get here. The property looks like all dry/hard ground and he managed to hit the one soft/sloppy spot out here.... 🤣 this shouldn't be to bad as Im down a winch right now. The Remote module for my rear winch took a dump, so Im actually gonna get him with either a kinetic strap or my baby winch. I'll make the call once he gets here and I can walk out there.
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NavyVet83 said:
My name is getting around more. Im currently sitting on the side of Hwy 61 in Gramercy LA. A guy called me last night and said his 2500 Sierra is stuck on side the bayou asking if I can help. My mind immediately went to oh shit, this thing is sunk. While talking on the phone I mentioned how I understand that Im usually a last ditch effort/resort call and it doesn't bother me. He told me he's been watching my YouTube videos and following my Facebook page and that I was his first phone call. WIN! the truck is on his private property however so Im sitting here just outside the edge of the land waiting for him to get here. The property looks like all dry/hard ground and he managed to hit the one soft/sloppy spot out here.... 🤣
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