Perhaps the greatest thrill of being a 4×4 owner and hobbyist is the unique and subtle sense of danger. Why else would we put ourselves and our vehicles through so much off-road punishment? It’s that sense that anything could happen that makes it so exhilarating. However, if things go wrong (and they will, eventually), it’s important to have some idea regarding 4×4 recovery.
How do you get yourself out of a difficult situation? Well, the first step is in diagnosing the problem and then acting accordingly. To demonstrate, we’ll be taking you through a few common problems and some of the techniques and gear you might want to consider using to rectify those problems.
Stuck in the snow
If you find yourself stuck in the snow and something has managed to wedge itself under the vehicle and remove traction from the wheels, you might need to jack up the wheels. You’ll also need to jack them up high enough so you can create a decent footing with a sand ladder or traction board such as the TRED Pro Recovery Boards. To do this, you’ll need a decent high-lift jack in your arsenal. Without these tools, you might have to call for backup!
Stuck in the sand
If you’re planning on driving on sand, the first thing we’d recommend is reducing tyre pressure. Even then, however, it’s possible to get stuck. To free yourself, jack up the wheels and use a shovel to pile sand under them, using traction boards, carpets, newspapers or whatever you have to hand to create some grip for the wheels. When you’re ready, try to reduce the weight in the vehicle as much as possible before attempting to drive away.
Stuck in the mud
If you’re stuck in mud or quicksand (sand soaked in water) then you might need another vehicle to help pull out. Depending on the consistency of the mud, jacking up the wheel will have little impact as the mud will just fill in the holes and traction mats will just get buried under the wheels. A winch could be required here, alongside a recovery kit with straps.
Stuck in a hole
If your wheel (or wheels) get stuck in a hole then the worst thing you can do is try to make your vehicle bounce out of the hole. This could tear up your suspension or at very least put out your wheel alignment. The best thing to do is jack up the vehicle with a jack lift like the ARB Bushranger X Jack and fill in the hole with whatever you can find before covering it with a bridging ladder and driving out slowly.
Generally speaking, these are situations that can be overcome as long as you have patience and the right tools. The bottom line is – never go for the quick fix option and always have safety at the forefront of your mind. Because if you rush it, you might not only end up damaging your vehicle but yourself too.
