Well, an epic streak has come to an end…
Recently while I was off roading with some buddies, I got stuck. It was the first time I needed to pull out my off road recovery kit and get help out of a situation.
I’ve had adventures from beaches to mountains to deserts and everywhere in between. I’ve driven in mud, snow, and sand, and I had never gotten stuck. That streak is over, my friends!
So, I want to share my experience, explain what happened, and shed some light on the importance of off road recovery gear.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
- My First Time Using Off Road Recovery Gear
- Why You Need Off Road Recovery Gear
- What’s in My Off Road Recovery Kit?
- Other Off Road Recovery Gear You Need
My First Time Using Off Road Recovery Gear
Here’s the lowdown on what happened…
I was enjoying a beautiful day out on the trail with some friends and came upon a big – but not too big – rock that I needed to get my 2020 Jeep Gladiator up and over.
So, I slowly approached with the rock on the right side of the Jeep and got the right-front wheel over the rock just fine. There wasn’t a ton of clearance between the top of the rock and the bottom of the Jeep, but there was no scraping happening.
Anyway, I maneuvered the Jeep forward, waiting for the right-rear tire to contact the rock. When it did, I gave the Jeep some gas – just as I’d done with the front tire – expecting the same result.
Unfortunately, I got a different result!
What I didn’t account for was how soft the sand and gravel were below the surface. As I upped the throttle, the rear tire started to spin and kicked away the top layer of soil, revealing a much softer layer that provided no traction whatsoever.
I know what you’re thinking – just back up, then move forward with a little more momentum, right?
The problem is that my right-rear tire dug down so much that my Jeep was wedged on top of the rock. I was stuck. My streak of not getting stuck came to an end with my right-rear tire buried.
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Why You Need Off Road Recovery Gear
When I set out that day with my buddies to ride a few trails, I obviously wasn’t planning to get stuck.
In fact, before we left, we discussed how the trails we wanted to explore weren’t anything crazy, so there was no expectation that any of us even might get stuck.
But, obviously, you never know what’s going to happen out on the trail. My track record of not getting stuck indicated that I had a good chance of heading out for the day and coming back without a problem.
A different day, different situation, and different trail can change everything, though.
That’s why it’s so critical to have off road recovery gear in your rig. Whether you’re a hard-core off roader or you only occasionally hit the trail, off road recovery gear is a critical component of your ability to go off roading and do it safely.
You never know when you’ll encounter a soft spot, a washout, a rock that’s bigger than you thought, or another person on the trail that’s stuck and needs help getting out.
For your safety and the safety of others on the trail, you need an off road recovery kit!
What’s in My Off Road Recovery Kit?
Off road recovery kits are a little different from one person to the next, but there’s some basic components that are vital for performing recoveries on the trail.
Having a winch, for example, is a basic necessity if you’re an overlander or off roader. I have the Warn Zeon 10 Winch, which is overkill for my Jeep, but better to have too much oomph than not enough.
Another essential component of a recovery kit is traction boards. Maxtrax are the cream of the crop, though there are cheaper options that will aid you in a recovery situation.
What are the Primary Components of an Off-Road Kit?
Of course, the primary components of an off road recovery kit are:
- A recovery strap
- A tree-saver
- A snatch block
- Shackles
- Dampener bag
With these components, you can get yourself or a buddy out of some serious jams. Get more insights into this gear in my video below.
Invest in a Quality Air Compressor
Another key element of my off-road recovery gear is my portable air compressor. I’ve been rocking the MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 for quite some time now, and I’ve been thoroughly impressed with its performance.
The MORRFlate TenSix portable air compressor has an impressive 10.6 CFM rating at 0 PSI and 6.5 CFM at 30 PSI, providing the power needed to inflate tires quickly and efficiently. Its 150 PSI rating and built-in PSI cutoff switch ensure safe and consistent performance by automatically turning on at 80 PSI and off at 120 PSI, too.
This compressor’s 80% duty cycle at 0 PSI allows it to run for 45 minutes before needing a break, making it capable of inflating up to 6-8 vehicles’ tires in one session. With a compact design (14x7x9 inches) and noise level of 70-75 dB, it’s easy to transport and use in the field as well. Though you can easily mount this unit on your vehicle, I choose to keep it under the front passenger seat in my Jeep; that way, I can use it for my vehicle or another vehicle I might encounter on the trail.
The upgraded Gen2 features, such as stainless steel outlet hoses and improved heat dissipation with aluminum heat sinks and internal cylinders, ensure durability and long-term reliability. Having durable, well-made gear is essential for off-roading, of course – there’s no point in having gear that fails you!
Add an Inflation and Deflation Kit to Level Up Your Game
Using the TenSix with a MORRFlate 4 Tire Inflation & Deflation Kit further enhances its efficiency, allowing you to inflate or deflate all four tires at once, reducing strain on the compressor. The device also includes a thermal cutoff switch, purge valve, and handy gloves for safe handling.
A rugged carrying case with accessory pockets and a universal coupler for easy connections make it even more convenient. With a 3-year warranty and numerous upgrades, the TenSix portable air compressor is a must-have if you love to off-road. It provides reliability, efficiency, and safety on every adventure – what’s not to like?!
Other Off Road Recovery Gear You Need
photo by undefined undefined via iStock
While a winch, recovery boards, and a good off road recovery kit are the primary components you need for trail safety, there are some other goodies and gadgets that are worthy of having in your rig in case trouble arises:
- A good shovel
- Communication device of some sort (GMRS radio, satellite communicator, CB, etc.)
- An axe or hatchet
- A jack
- Tire repair kit
- Land anchor
photo by Rawpixel via iStock
In addition to these and other recovery tools, it’s also necessary to have food, water, clothing, a first aid kit, and other survival items with you in case the situation is so dire that you can’t get out of it quickly.
I’m not saying you need to head out with enough survival gear for two weeks, but as the Boy Scouts say, “be prepared.”
Even if you’re headed out for a quick afternoon trail ride like I was, have the means to get yourself or others you’re with unstuck and have some survival tools just in case. It’s better to prepare for the worst and expect the best than to find yourself stuck and without the gear you need to get out.
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