Top 5 Must-Haves for Off-Road Recoveries
Any off-roader worth their salt knows that a recovery kit is essential for any trips out bush. But what exactly should you have in your recovery kit? A quick look at forums and off-roading websites will show you that when it comes to recovery gear, 4WDers seriously believe more is more. That said, there’s only so many things you can throw into your vehicle before you run out of space or it becomes massively overloaded.
We did a quick check around the office and came up with a short list of items that you should always have in your 4WD; this excludes all that other stuff to pack like survival gear and toilet paper as well as more specialised accessories and mods that you will only need for hardcore off-roading and death-defying routes.
5. Winch kit including straps, snatch block, shackles etc.
Make sure you have snatch straps that are looped at the ends and sewn down instead of using metal hooks. If the strap breaks and you have a hook, it’ll turn into a high-speed projectile that can break your windows and injure or kill you.
4. Hi-lift jack
Just in case you need to lift your 4WD out of a hole or change your tyres, and you’re not 4WDing with the Hulk. It’s always a good idea to bring a base plate or board as well to keep your jack from sinking into soft surfaces like mud or sand.
3. Shovel
If you get stuck, you might be able to dig your way out with a shovel. Get one with a long handle so that you have more leverage while digging. You can get these from Bunnings if you don’t already have one in your garden shed.
2. Traction aids
You can get this from MAXTRAX: basically, you just wedge the board against your tyre as firmly as possible and drive your way out of trouble. If you’re reluctant to stump up the $299 that each double-pack
costs, Off-Road Outdoors reckons you can try a homemade version using wooden planks with carpet attached…we’re not sure how this compares to the MAXTRAX but if you’re game to try it, let us know!
1. UHF radio
If you’ve done all you can and need a hand, you’ll need to swallow your pride and ask for help. Since mobile phone reception doesn’t always cut it when you’re off the beaten path, it’s always better to bring a UHF radio. Just make sure you figure out how it works before you actually need it for an emergency!
Did we miss something? Tell us what your Top 5 is. This list is by no means exhaustive – it’s worth finding out who your local 4WD club is, as they would have a better idea of what you’re likely to encounter on the local tracks and what gear you’d need to bring to get home safely. Call us on 1300 MICKEY to find out which legendary Mickey Thompson tyre is best suited to your vehicle and 4WDing needs.