With more than a third of Brits preferring solo travel, and 76% of those surveyed worldwide claiming to have travelled alone already or considering a solo trip, becoming a solo traveller is right on trend. It is however no new thing in the overlanding world, with many off-roading enthusiasts choosing to go it alone to discover the world’s wildest and most rugged destinations on four wheels.
Whether travelling alone the traditional way or via 4×4, being prepared is rule number one. This is especially true when it comes to vehicle recovery as Trail 4Runner explains:
“The last thing you want to happen is to get stuck by yourself in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. This is why it’s important to carry the most common off-road recovery gear for every trip you plan on taking. The more recovery gear you have the easier your recovery will be and the more peace of mind you’ll have. With so many different kinds of recovery gear out there, deciding which gear to invest in first can be a bit of a hassle.”
As the quote above states, sorting the wheat from the chaff when buying recovery gear isn’t easy. To help you on your way to a safe solo trip, we’re here to reveal the 4×4 recovery gear you should pack.
Ropes and shackles
As the rated link between your recovery essentials, a shackle is a must-have. It connects a recovery point to a winch rope or snatch strap so extraction can take place. But, when choosing yours, you’ll find not all were created equal.
Bow shackles may have steel, weight rated construction on their side, but soft shackles – which are crafted using synthetic rope – are just as capable and durable. They’re also lighter, easier to use, quicker to set up, and safer. Their buoyant nature makes them particularly handy if you get stuck in water or deep mud too.
While we’re on the subject of safer synthetic alternatives, you should take the same tack when selecting your winch rope. You can find out more about the pros and cons of synthetic and steel winch ropes here as well as shop our ropes and shackles today.
Tree trunk protector
Reducing trail impact is an important responsibility for us all, and the environment should be treated with care during recovery too. Our premium tree trunk protectors are designed with fast recovery and minimal environmental impact in mind.
As the name suggests, tree trunk protectors provide the sturdy anchor you need to recover your vehicle while preventing damage to the bark and wider tree.
Recovery kit
Grab a full kit of recovery essentials by shopping our ARB and Saber recovery kits. Recovery kits, and their contents, are designed for solo use, providing the accessories to winch or snatch strap your vehicle to safety, whatever the challenge or terrain type.
Most include those tree trunk protectors we mentioned earlier, alongside straps, shackles, snatch blocks, winch extension straps, dampers and recovery gloves, and they’re all housed in a handy carry case or bag.
Recovery points
To get your vehicle to safety, you’re going to need something to hook on to. While many solo off-roaders rely on OE tie down points – which we really wouldn’t recommend due to the extra weight of upgrades and cargo – fitting a rated recovery point is the only way to make self-rescue as safe and simple as it should be.
Recovery points can be fitted to the front or rear of your vehicle, with most simply bolting on or requiring only minor drilling to install. All the products featured in our range of recovery points are durable, user friendly, fully rated, and compatible with factory bumpers, upgrades and recovery essentials.
Winches
Last but certainly not least, no solo 4×4 trip should go ahead without access to a winch. The right winch provides the convenience, durability and power needed to get your vehicle out of the stickiest situations when travelling off-road. Shop our winches today to discover the upgrade that suits your needs, vehicle and budget.