stabilization ideas

I'm looking for some ideas on how people are stabilizing larger suv's or pick-up trucks with large amounts of ground clearance. I've found that the Rescue Jacks don't get small enough, and we can only carry a limited amount of cribbing due to the size of our rescue truck. I've tried building larger step chocks but they still fall short on stock 3/4 and 1 ton american made pick-ups and utility bodies. Any thoughts or ideads would be appreciated.
I've looked into junkyard dogs, they seem to deploy quickly and in a compact design, any experiences with these would be greatly noted thank you

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sfrescue on October 13, 2008 at 11:14pm

there's a lot of stabilization videos you may find helpful at www.res-q-jack.com

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on October 16, 2008 at 6:33am

The best way I've found to handle most of these is to build short stacks of box cribbing, then fill the void between the box cribs and the vehicle with step chocks. WIth some practice, this makes for pretty solid stabilization while not requiring that you unload the entire lumberyard from the rig for a single high rise pickup or SUV.

Strut systems are generally too long for the situation you describe, high-lift jacks (farm jacks) don't provide good lateral support, and air bags don't solidly stabilize the vehicle, since they are not solid.

Permalink Reply by Randy Schmitz on November 11, 2008 at 9:47am

One option for large trucks or 4 x 4 with lift kits installed, is to set your "short" struts in the wheel well or place the strut head on the outer lip of the rear and front fenders.
You can place you strap right around the tire (if it is still intact and touching the ground)and attach it back to the strut base plate.
This location is generally out of the way of the cab and shouldn't interfere too much with your patient removal.
As lutan mentioned earlier, depending on the size and length of your step chocks you can stand them on end interlock them together, take a ratchet strap and wrap it around to keep them from separating.
You will need to be careful inserting them under an unstable truck. if possible use a pike pole to push and move them around to stay out of the collapse zone then insert a wedge to tighten them up.
One draw back is if your doing four point stabilization, you will need a minimum of 8 step chocks
These are just a few options that may work in certain situations.

Permalink Reply by Chub43 on November 11, 2008 at 11:24am

We use the small set of junkyard dogs, if we have to just box crib then use the step chocks. But I dont ever remember havin a problem cribbing a large vehicle, my department sits inbetween to major highways.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Romano on November 24, 2008 at 8:58am

have you tried air shores. they work great. but you can also use 4x4's. your local lumber yard may give them to you.

Permalink Reply by Chief 29 on December 16, 2008 at 11:35am

you brought up the Junk yard dogs. They work great we have two pairs of the short and one pair of the long on our rescue. They are adjustable in length and there are numerous ways to use them, Fast and easy to deploy. I would definitely suggest having a sales rep give your company a demo. One of our neighboring rescue companies saw us using them and liked them so much they also purchased them.

Permalink Reply by Asst Chief Tim Cook on January 29, 2009 at 5:21pm

We've got a set of Ruts and they work well. During the winter months I'm very likely to respond in my tow truck as I'm often in it when the tones are struck.As long as you can access the vehicle,it's the ultimate way to stabilize.Stabilize,lift,reposition,it's one stop shopping.We've got 4 ' 6' 4x4 on the Engine for those odd jobs where nothing else seems to work.

Permalink Reply by paul michael komandt on April 30, 2009 at 12:01am

Using box cribbing made of 6X6 is another idea. We used this in an extrication class. 6X6 box crib on both sides of vehicle with a 8' 6X6 from one box crib to the other, if we had space to the frame still(most likely will) we use wedges to bring the long 6X6 up to the frame. Can use aib bags in place of the wedges.

Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on August 1, 2009 at 2:02pm

I have a guy that wants to use Hi-lifts all the time. I don't like them for rescue work in general and basically agree with your comments. Can you provide any more details on when/how they are "good" so I can help convince folks.

Permalink Reply by Michael Bates on August 2, 2009 at 7:15pm

Mark Hi-Lift jacks are not a stabilization tool . they are to be used to lift , or pull, or used as a come-a-long, they have many excellent uses, just not stabilization. they give no lateral support. I've even used them to create a purchase point.put them in the window like you would your spreaders ans use in same manner. but again they are not a STABILIZATION tool.

Permalink Reply by lutan1 on August 2, 2009 at 7:31pm

I've taught members to pop doors, roll dashboards, lift steering columns, etc. It another tool sitting in the options tool box, but they have to be treated with respect....

Permalink Reply by Martijn Boeijink on August 8, 2009 at 8:57am