Volunteer group 775 Offroad removes truck, RV wrecked several years ago in Ash Canyon for free
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Tue, 07/11/2023 - 3:17pm
Calvin Harris of the U.S. Forest Service attended 775 Offroad and Recovery 4x4 only Show N Shine with the USFS restored 1957 IH 4x4 Firetruck (named Brutus) to participate in the firetruck competition.
He was not expecting to find such a professional and dedicated group of volunteers. In fact, he was so impressed, he asked if the group could remove a wrecked and abandoned truck and travel trailer from Ash Canyon just west of Carson City. He was stunned when the volunteers of 775 Offroad and Recovery (775OFR) agreed to do the job for free as he had received quotes in excess of $15,000.
A team of 775OFR volunteers including Team Captain and Vice President Brad Vest, assessed the site, took photos and planned how to safely recover the wrecked rig from a steep gully with the trailer still locked to the truck.
With a plan in place, a team of volunteers assembled at the base of Ash Canyon at 5:30 a.m., on Sunday, July 9. The mostly one lane, steep Ash Canyon Rd ends at the popular Hobart Lake.
Closing the road on a busy summer weekend was not ideal, but most of the 775OFR volunteers also work full-time jobs so a weekend day was selected to ensure sufficient staffing for the long job. 775OFR had 23 volunteers participate during this operation. Calvin along with three other USFS members joined the 775FR crew and were a huge help during the recovery.
Removing the truck and travel trailer from the steep gully using smaller vehicles required using mechanical advantage for rigging.
Fortunately, there was a strong solid pine conveniently located on the uphill side of the single track dirt road that could be used as an anchor and allowed for a triple line pull. But that was not enough — a 2nd triple line pull as set up to give a safety factor, but also to allow each winch to rest during the long pull.
The process worked flawlessly but using mechanical advantage makes the process very slow. It took approximately 4 hours to winch the truck up the 350’ feet of 45 Deg sloped bank. Once the truck was on the road, it still had to be towed 2 miles to the original meeting location where a trailer was waiting.
With no way to steer or stop this truck, it was secured front and rear to 777OFR members trucks. The lead car acting as steering, the rear rig used for brakes.
After breaking for lunch, the team returned to retrieve the travel trailer in the nearly 100 degree heat and no shade. After securing the broken trailer walls to the frame, the rigging was reset — again using triple line pulls and mechanical advantage. Finally, around 4 p.m., the trailer was on the road.
The process was repeated to get the trailer to the entrance to the canyon, but this time several volunteers followed stopping frequently to collect debris that fell off the badly damaged trailer. At 5:30 p.m., after 12 long hours, truck and camper were in the dumpster supplied by the USFS.
As the volunteers from 775OFR packed up their extensions, straps, shackles and all their other personal gear used for the recovery, they bid farewell to a beaming Calvin. 775OFR does not charge for performing recoveries. As a non-profit, donations help ensure the 24/7 dispatch line is up and running, operating expenses are covered. If you are stranded offroad, contact 775OFR at 775-238-3793.
775 Offroad and Recovery is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we do not charge for our services. All of our members are volunteers and pay for equipment and fuel themselves. 775OFR is able to reimburse some of these expenses through donations that are received.
Consider joining our team of volunteers or if you’d like to donate, visit https://www.775ofr.com. We have administrative needs for those that do not want to work in the field.
