I'm glad you're OK. This is a great example of being safe. Everybody likes to critique after a major wrech where there are injuries what they would have done differently. For not being there myself several things are evident.
You had a good cage
You had your seatbelts "on" in the rig even though you were just moving it for a guy. (So many times when we are doing something quick and don't bother)
There was nobody downhill of you that could have gotten hurt.
Obviously nothing from your cargo area hit you in the head so it was either empty or secured somehow.
Nice job on doing a bunch of things "right". This could have been a disaster, but ended up being a good story.
Thanks, I have always tried to be a function over form guy (as evident from how ugly my jeep looked
), the cage was worth every cent, and I am glad I went with my gut and did DOM 1.75" .120 wall. I had estimates from other people (not PJ) for HREW and it would have been cheaper... but spending the extra $$ at that time could have very well saved my life or my buddy's life.
I am truely thankful there was not another rig coming up the hill.
As for seat belts, if my rig is moving, seat belts are on; however, next rig will have harnesses, because we could have easily slipped out of the stock seat belts, it was just by the grace of God that we didn't.
You bring up an interesting issue about stuff being strapped down. When I wheel, I carry a lot of tools in the back. including a large craftsman soft tool bag, battery impact, large socket set, fluids, etc. I have always secured them very tight with bungee cords. I distinictively remember thinking Friday night while I was pacjing 'why do I take so much time to secure everything in the back, it is always a waste of time.' So for the first time I just strapped down some of the things, the heavier things. So while we rolled we were being pelted with sockets and misc things not secured in the back. One scary thought is I usually have the hi lift in the very back as well, secured with bungees. The reason fo rthis is because I have a mount for it on the tire carrier, but it is harder to get it off on the trail; so it usually just goes in the back. For some reason, this time I decided to put the hi lift in its spot on the tire carrier...
Things I learned about securing tools, etc in your rig. Bungees don't hold very well when you are rolling very quickly down a hill. My bungees did keep my large soft craftsman tool bag secure; however, the bag ripped and spilled tools out. If I ever wheel another SUV, I will certainly build a box in the back to keep everything, and then ensure that box is secured to the vehicle.
