Preparing Your Truck Or SUV For Off-Road Recovery Before Taking Any Off-Highway Trip
If you are considering any off-road travel, it is crucial to consider off-road recovery before you are in a situation that requires extracting the truck from mud, water, or snow. The right tools and equipment can make it possible to get your vehicle out of a sticky situation or make repairs on the trail, but it does require some preplanning.
Tools For Repairs
Off-road recovery can include making repairs or replacing broken parts on the trail. Having the tools to make minor repairs is essential, and you don't need to have a huge toolbox with you, but things like a hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches and commonly used sockets, and a rachet are an excellent starting point.
Often a large set of pliers and a plumbers pipe wrench can come in handle in your tool kit. A tire plug kit can make dealing with a tire puncture simpler, and adding a farm jack to your tool list will allow you to lift the truck on rough terrain and has enough lift height to raise modified trucks easily. It is also a good idea to bring some electrical tape, crimp-on connectors, and a little wire with you to make emergency electrical system repairs along the way.
While it is impossible to carry everything you could need, build your tool kit around repairs you can do easily on your own and without access to a part store. You can bring a few small parts if you suspect you will need them, but remember that they will take up space you may need for something else.
Winches And Straps
If you are traveling off-road and get stuck in water, mud, or snow, your best option for off-road recovery is sometimes a winch mounted on your truck or SUV. When you are selecting a winch for your rig, look for one capable of pulling out at least twice the weight of your truck without assistance.
Some winches allow you to use a double line to increase the pulling power, but the electric winch motor needs to support that additional weight. Using snatch blocks and pullies can make it easier for the winch to pull the weight, so you may want to purchase a snatch block and a strap to secure it to a tree when you use it.
Any winch dealer will also have accessories like gloves, straps, shackles, and pulley snatch blocks that will work with the wind you are buying, and most are happy to show you how to use them for off-road recovery safely. Some dealers will also offer installation of the winch on your truck to ensure that it is mounted correctly and all the electrical connections are correct and will work properly.
Contact a local off-road recovery service to learn more.