Rivian Mom
Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2024
- Messages
- 148
- Reaction score
- 24
- Rivian
- R1S
There have been several great articles written on recovery gear but I wanted to put out an article on a basic budget recovery kit option for those that might want to have some gear just in case but not break the bank. I built this kit from items avalible at Harbor Freight to carry with me in my R1S. I find it safe to always have some recovery gear for when I get stuck out somewhere or needed to help someone else that was stuck. I know what your thinking why would I depend on gear from Harbor Freight to get me unstuck in the middle of nowhere? Simply because this was not my only option.
I have had the opportunity to put this gear to the test many times and it has stood up to the task and performed every time I needed it to. That performance has given me the confidence to build out my basic recovery kit for my R1S from Harbor Freight primarily with their Badland off road line of gear. Here is what I have in my kit in the photo above, what I have added for my R1S and how much it all cost me.
1. 9500 lb. load rating haul master 2in. hitch mounted D-ring shackle $22.39
2. 5/8in x 3in hitch pin $3.99
3. 9500 lb. rated load, 47,500 lb. breaking strength Badland soft shackle X2 $34.99 each
4. Badland winch damper $11.17 (can be used on recovery straps too)
5. Badland 6600 lb. 2in. x 20ft. recovery snatch strap $37.49
6. Badland 4in. x 8ft. tree trunk protector strap 30,000 lb. break strength $23.79
7. Hardy mechanics gloves $3.99
8. Hardy nitrile dipped nylon work gloves $1.99
9. Badland foldable utility shovel $14.99 (shovel in picture is one I already had)
Kit additions for my R1S
Badland 3in. x 30ft. recovery snatch strap $53.59
Badland 3 ton off road jack $269.99
Total price for all gear in my kit $513.36 before taxes. If you look online at harbor freights website or check out these items in store you will notice that the prices I paid for some items are less than the list price from harbor freight. That's because harbor freight often sends out coupons and I have taken advantage of that buying things to add to my kit when I could use coupons to purchase at a lower price. If you signup for a free account with harbor freight they will email you coupons and email you receipts when you purchase items in store. The emailed receipts came in handy for my cost listed in this article. They do offer a paid membership for $29.99 a year but I have not signed up for that. Another trick I used was the option to order a item at my local store that was out of stock.
The badland off road jack was out of stock at my store when I had a 10% off coupon that I could use on it. The staff at the store informed me I could order one now using the coupon and they would notify me when it arrived at the store for pickup. Worked like a charm.
Other items I plan to add to my kit
1. 20 in. AT spare tire from Rivian. This is the biggest limiting factor for me right now on where I take my truck. I'm still frustrated that Rivian removed the spare from my order but hopefully I will be able to order one s00n...
2. Robust tire plug kit. There are tire plugs available at harbor freight but I will probably go with a off road focused kit from ARB or similar.
3. Maxtrax xtreme recovery boards. I like the ability to replace teeth on the boards, lifetime warranty, and Rivian mounts for crossbars.
4. Indeflate two hose unit.
5. four pack jack pucks (purchased)
6. some kind of satellite communicator. I like the Garmin inReach mini that can pair to phones.
