You’ve spent your blood, sweat, and tears on upgrading your 4×4 rig. You’ve picked out the perfect trail. You’re ready to take on your first off-roading trip in style.
That is, until you’re an hour in and your tires are six inches deep in mud.
Getting stuck is almost inevitable when you’re cruising the trails. But you can control how you handle it by knowing what to do if you get stuck while off-roading.
Don’t Panic
When you realize you can’t move, your first instinct might be to go into fight-or-flight mode. And when you’re off-roading, fight-or-flight looks like gunning the accelerator for all its worth. Unfortunately, you’ll get yourself stuck even deeper that way.
One of the first things you need to do if you get stuck while off-roading is to take a minute to lay off the gas pedal and breathe. That way, you’ll be able to think through your next steps with more clarity.
Add a Little Traction
If you don’t have traction, you’ll need to make some. Start by digging around your tires. Then, add a piece of cardboard or traction pads in front of or behind your wheels, depending on if you’re backing or fronting out. Or you can use the old winter-time trick of keeping a bag of cat litter in the car and adding that around your tires.
Use Recovery Straps
There’s a reason people tell you never to go off-roading alone. When manufactured traction fails, a buddy’s rig and a few recovery straps are a lifesaver for getting you out of a jam.
Start by attaching your straps to each vehicle’s recovery points, and put both vehicles into first gear. Then, as your buddy starts to pull forward, begin to ease onto the gas again to maneuver your car out.
Try Your Winch
When you’re looking for off-roading upgrades for your 4×4, recovery equipment should be at the top of every list. That means a good-quality off-roading bumper and a winch.
However, just having a winch isn’t enough to get your off-roading trip back on track. You’ll also need to know how to use it. That means keeping an eye on your power source and choosing the right anchor.
Pro Tip
Be cautious about using a tree as an anchor for your winch. Make sure you use a tree-saving strap to prevent damage to the tree, and put the anchor a few inches above the base.
Avoid Getting Stuck Again
Once you’re out of the mud pit or the sandbank, the most embarrassing thing that could probably happen is for you to get stuck a second time. So to keep your trip from facing any more hiccups, keep these tips in mind to avoid getting stuck.
- Keep up momentum when traveling through mud or sand.
- Don’t go too fast over tricky areas.
- Make sure you have the right tires for your terrain.
- Don’t inflate your tires to maximum capacity.
- Keep your approach, breakover, and departure angles in mind.
As tedious as getting stuck is, that doesn’t mean your off-roading venture is over. As long as you’re prepared, you can spend less time stuck and more time rolling into the wilderness.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
