No matter where you are, there are a few items you should never drive off-road without! Image: MAXTRAX
When 4WDing, no matter where you are or what situation you’re in, there are a few items you should never drive off-road without. Having these basics in your 4WD recovery kit could be the difference between making it out in the vehicle, or leaving the car to find help!
While there’s a huge range of 4WD and off-road recovery equipment on the market, not all of it is needed. Check out the list below for the essential, bare minimum recovery gear to ensure a safe recovery and a successful off-road adventure in your 4WD!
When it comes to your 4WD, it’s best to always be prepared. Image: Dave Leslie.
A Long-Handled Shovel
A long-handled shovel is such a useful and vital tool for the off-road enthusiast. Many a bog can be left behind after some solid digging and packing with sticks (and leaves, if you can get them)! The long handle makes life a little easier by providing more leverage while digging. It also allows a longer reach beneath the vehicle to where the diffs are.
Jack and Base Plate, or Recovery Boards
Jack and base plates are not only useful for changing a tyre, but also enable you to lift the vehicle out of a bog hole. This can sometimes make all the difference! If you have one or two wheels buried deep in holes, you may be able to jack up the vehicle, lift the wheel out of the hole, and pack sticks, leaves, sand, rocks, or dirt into the hole for the vehicle to sit on – and hopefully gain some traction.
A base plate is a must. It stops the jack from sinking into the mud or sand, and provides a good, solid, and level jacking surface. This makes the whole process much safer.
Recovery tracks blend slick with quick, for a lightweight but efficient off-grid recovery! Often featuring pinhole points for secure mounting and a double-ramp design for efficient manoeuvring beneath your tyres, their rugged teeth interlock with your tyre tread fast and effectively to aid in releasing your vehicle from its stagnant state. Some also include a shovel at either end to further aid recovery – an all-inclusive solution to getting unstuck!
Recovery tracks blend slick with quick, for a lightweight but efficient off-grid recovery. Image: MAXTRAX
Snatch Straps
If you simply can’t drive the vehicle out under its own power, you may need some assistance to be pulled out of a bog by another! Even if you’re travelling on your own, another vehicle may come past – so have your snatch strap ready!
By connecting a snatch strap to the rated recover points of both vehicles, you can pull the bogged vehicle forwards or backwards towards solid ground. Snatch straps act as large rubber bands, and can sling shot the bogged vehicle out of the bog. This can be a dangerous task, so be very careful and ensure all spectators stand well clear.
Air Compressor
Many situations can be overcome or avoided altogether with the right tyre pressures. Lowering your tyre pressure will greatly increase your grip in all situations, including sand, mud, dirt, and rocks. By lowering your tyre pressures, you increase the amount of tyre contact with the ground, thus improving your grip. For more info on tyre pressures, head here.
The last things you want is for your vehicle to be caught in the mud! Image: Geordie Wright
UHF Radio
All 4WD vehicles should be fitted with a good quality UHF radio and antenna. If all attempts to rescue your vehicle from a bog fail, you can call for help on the radio!
To maximise your call for help, it’s always a good idea to check what station the repeater towers are on in the area you are travelling. When you’re not using your UHF to transmit, you can put it on ‘Scan’; this will allow you to pick up any talk on any station within range. This could be your last chance before strapping on your boots and heading for help!
Before you go…
Most importantly, before any trip, let someone know where you are going and when you are due back. The more details you leave with friends, family, police, or local ranger, the better chance you have of help coming to your aid.
Secondly, stay with your vehicle for as long as you can. If you need to leave your vehicle, make sure you have adequate equipment to walk with, and take plenty of water. Leave a note in the vehicle explaining your situation, and exactly where you are heading.
Now get out there, have fun – but above all, stay safe!
Get out there, have fun – but above all, stay safe! Image: MAXTRAX
What do you do to stay safe on the road?