If you are pushing your off-road vehicle to the limit, you will most certainly end up with it trapped somewhere. This will probably happen in a remote location where you simply cannot call a tow truck, and so you will need to recover your off-road vehicle on your own. Here are some tips on off-road vehicle recovery equipment.
Recovering a vehicle can be exceptionally difficult, and so it is important to carry a number of different tools with you. Your tool kit should include items that will allow you to lift and haul your vehicle. You should also carry equipment to improve traction.
Equipment to Lift your Vehicle
If you find that your vehicle is on its side, high centered, or stick in a hole you will need to lift part of your vehicle. The best way to do this is with the use of a jack. It is a good idea to use a mechanical long jack. This type of jack is very short, and it can allow you to lift your vehicle several feet into the air. It will also allow you to get under the vehicle even if there is low clearance. It is also a good idea to carry a small bottle jack, and a long bar to allow you to get more leverage on the jacks.
Equipment to Haul your Vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck, you will need to find a way to haul it onto more favorable ground. This is generally done with the use of a winch. It is a good idea to make sure that your winch can be detached from your vehicle, and so that it can be put on both the front and back of it. It is also a good idea to look into having a winch that can be placed at the anchor point rather than at your vehicle. Purchasing a winch is a complicated job, but you will want to look into a number of different features when shopping for a winch. It is even a good idea to carry a small hand operated winch that you can use for light jobs. This will greatly decrease setup time.
- Having it be remote controlled
- Having it be bolted on rather than welded
- Having it be strong enough to lift your vehicle into the air
- Having it fast enough to winch your vehicle while your vehicle is moving forward
Hauling Traction Equipment
Finally, you will want to haul some equipment to improve your vehicle’s traction for when it gets stuck. It is a good idea to carry a tarp that you can use to build a temporary road. It is also a good idea to carry a bucket of sand that you can throw under you vehicle’s wheels.