Freedom Recovery Gear
Having proper recovery gear is essential for any off-road enthusiast.
Words by Kolyn Radbourne @legacy4WD
Photos courtesy Freedom Recovery Gear
Having well-designed recovery gear is a good safety measure for exploring rural roads and trails. I recently found myself in need of a new recovery strap and reached out to Richard Sheridan, owner of Freedom Recovery Gear, a Canadian company, which manufactures its straps with high-strength synthetics. They are also independently lab-tested and have an impressive, tough minimum breaking strength (MBS).
Since I don’t own a winch, Sheridan suggested its ⅞” Kinetic Energy Recovery Rope (KERR) and a couple of soft shackles. The KERR I purchased has a 3:1 safety factor, can provide an impressive MBS of 10,024 kg (22,100 lb), and comes in at a length of 9 m (30 ft). It was also bright ‘firecracker red’ and was even available in neon orange, making it easy to locate in muddy, dark, or messy recovery situations. Since our test, the company has upgraded its KERR rope to an MBS of 11,884 kg (26,200 lb) and is now only available in black with red ends.
Freedom Recovery Gear
Our test Kinetic Energy Recovery Rope had an impressive MBS of 10,024 kg (22,100 lb). It has been recently upgraded to an MBS of 11,884 kg (26,200 lb).
The soft shackles have a 22 cm (9 in) inside length, providing ample space for tree savers and other recovery rigging gear in a nice, low-mass package. These shackles also bear a unique design that features an interesting “double” strand of premium Dyneema synthetic fiber, which is stronger than shackles with only a single strand.
After I received the products, I was anxious to test them. Following a quick call to a fellow wheeler in the Vernon, BC, area, we hatched a plan to visit the local OHV trails, get stuck, try out the equipment, and then continue on exploring. This particular area features a large bowl and given the seasonal spring conditions, we were promised wet, muddy conditions.
I have never ventured into the middle of the main bog intentionally and on this particular day, I took a line close to the edge in an effort to get stuck but made it through with minimal effort in my Xterra. With Mike watching in his H2, I tried a little harder on the second pass, and sure enough – I was stuck! As I didn’t get any further in the mud hole than the length of my truck, I climbed out, assessed the situation, and prepared my gear.
Freedom Recovery Gear
Some of Freedom Recovery Gear’s equipment in action.
Acting fast since the Xterra was taking on muddy water, I connected the KERR to one of the soft shackles around my tow hitch tube. Mike then quickly moved his H2 into position to hook up the other end. The weight of the tug transferred seamlessly, which popped my rig right out of the muddy suction.
Happy to be out, I am very content with the rope and shackles, and confident they will provide many years of reliable recovery. Freedom Recovery Gear offers a range of products – from winch lines and winch extensions to straps, recovery kits, and heavy-duty gear bags.