Whether you’re an avid off-roader or slightly adventurous road tripper, everyone is bound to get stuck in sand or mud at some point. These tools can help extricate you from the mire—as long as you remember to bring them.
Getting your vehicle stuck can happen to everyone, no matter how cautious you are. The best way to handle getting stuck in mud, sand, or snow, is to always be prepared for that scenario. That means keeping a certain amount of gear in your car or truck that will help in these situations.
A Shovel
Carpet, Cardboard, Wood
Maxtrax MKII
Molded plastic recovery tracks provide a considerable improvement over a carpet/cardboard solution. They won’t sink or slide under your tire, and when held on the end they can be used as a shovel. The Maxtrax MKII shown here has been put through its paces in the Australian outback, but if the price scares you there are less expensive options to choose from.
Hi-Lift Jack
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[ /vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]A hi-lift jack is a recovery gear staple on most off-road rigs. The factory tire jacks that come with your truck are wholly inadequate, especially if your truck sits higher off the ground due to larger tires or a lift. A hi-lift can be used to lift a stuck tire so you can stick cardboard or Maxtrax underneath it. In a pinch, a hi-lift can also be used as a come-along winch.
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Tow Strap
A tow strap can be used by one vehicle to free another. This one from ARB uses loops and is rated at 17,500 lbs. Avoid using tow straps with hooks as they can be dangerous if the strap breaks. Only connect between automobile frames, never to the body or bumpers.
Winch
If you plan on venturing in areas where the likelihood you’ll get stuck is very high, then invest in a winch and proper recovery gear including a tree saver strap, snatch block, and tow straps. A winch allows you to get out of tricky situations that otherwise you’d have to wait for another traveler to help you with. Toxic Crush recommends the “30 percent rule” when buying a winch, i.e., get a winch that’s rated at 30 percent or more of the weight of your vehicle. Remember when connecting to another vehicle, always hook to the frame or a recovery point that is directly bolted to the frame. It doesn’t take much for bumpers to break off and become lethal flying objects.
Snow Chains
Today’s snow chains are more like cables and can be installed by anyone. Your vehicle remains stationary and you wrap the chains around the wheel. A central bungee cord tightens everything up. Remember that it’s always better to put chains on before you need them (and wear some gloves to make process a bit more pleasant).
