What to Pack on an Off-road Trip as Recovery Gear
Off-road adventures can be exciting and you will be left with the best memories. But you need to practice some caution when planning an off-road trip as the road conditions may not be the best. This can lead to common problems like getting your vehicle stuck in mud or sand.
You can look for some basic 4×4 recovery gear to pack on the trip so that you can respond to emergencies properly. You don’t need to be stuck in the middle of nowhere without any tools to help you out of it. Some 4WD vehicles actually come with some basic recovery equipment but this may not be common to all vehicles. So you will have to do some research on which items are essential and which will be best suited for the conditions you will be driving in. And in addition to purchasing the recovery gear, you have to learn how to use them before you embark on your adventure. You should know what you are doing or make sure to travel with somebody who is experienced in using recovery gear.
Recovery tracks are essential for your recovery kit. There are different types of recovery tracks. You can buy a few large recovery boards which will allow you to use them in a variety of situations. Having two will be better and you can even increase this number to four if you have enough space. These recovery tracks can be slotted in front of the wheel that is stuck which will improve traction and give the wheel more surface area to grip onto. You can also find some multipurpose board type tracks that can be used as an emergency shovel as well. Or you can include a folding shovel so that the dirt in front of the wheel can be removed. This will help you create a space for the recovery tracks to be placed.
https://youtu.be/M7Zgug9ygnkA snatch strap and shackles will help you connect the vehicle to another 4WD vehicle that will help pull you out of a sticky situation. This is why it is recommended to go off-roading with another vehicle. The pulling load should be sufficient for the weight of your vehicle. The shackles are what will attach the recovery strap to both vehicles. The shackles should be rated double the weight of your vehicle so they can bear the load without breaking. You should also replace a snatch strap if it has been used more than 15 or 20 times. An exhaust jack will also be useful as recovery gear. This can lift the vehicle off slippery terrain. An exhaust jack will take up less space than recovery tracks but it can be a little complicated to use. You need to know how to use an exhaust jack properly. You have to understand the risks that come with using an exhaust jack. Once the vehicle is raised using this, you should never get under the vehicle as they can be quite unstable. You need to protect the unit when it is being used as they can be punctured easily.