While we’d like to think there will always be someone around to help us out of a sticky situation, sometimes we have only ourselves and our own equipment to rely on. If you’ve ever found yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with zero phone reception and your 4WD vehicle sticking out of a ditch, then you’ll know the value of self-recovery.
Adding self-recovery products to your rig can help you enjoy your off-road adventures that much more as you’ll have more peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to get yourself out of a tight spot if the need arises. With that in mind, here are the 5 pieces of self-recovery gear we think all 4×4 owners serious about off-roading and serious about their well-being should consider.
1. Winches
Attaching a winch to the front of your vehicle could legitimately save your life. While you might think they are only applicable to farmers or construction workers, if you drive into a deep enough ditch, a winch could be the only way to pull yourself out of it without seriously damaging your vehicle. They are fitted to the front of your bumper and can be used either synthetic or steel rope. Steel rope is more common and durable whereas synthetic rope is lighter and less dangerous if snapped.
2. Hidden winch mounts
While a winch is a great upgrade that you certainly won’t regret from a safety perspective, it can’t be denied that they can look a little ugly. That’s why hidden winch mounts exist. These hide your winch away by tucking it under your bumper. A much more discrete option for those for us that value the style of our 4WD rigs.
3. Recovery kits
Self-recovery is a serious business so you want to ensure you’re prepared for every eventuality. A complete recovery kit is the ideal first step and will include everything you need to supplement your winch installation. The ARB recovery kit is industry-standard and will provide you with a study recovery bag, a snatch strap, snatch block, shackle and tree trunk protector. Essentially, everything you need aside from the winch itself for safely attaching your vehicle to a tree or other stationary object and pulling yourself out of danger.
4. Recovery boards
A recovery board, such as the TRED Pro, can be stored in the back of your 4×4 and brought out whenever you need a little extra traction. They are constructed from a unique composite material that provides maximum traction for getting out of deep mud or snow.
5. Exhaust jack
If you want to get serious about recovery then it doesn’t get much more serious than an exhaust jack. This is essentially an inflatable barrel attached to your vehicle’s exhaust that you place under your vehicle to elevate it remotely without the use of an air compressor. The major benefit of an exhaust jack is that it’s quite portable, as it’s flat when stored. The Bushranger X-Jack is probably your safest bet here. It’s built to withstand years of abuse and works in a variety of harsh conditions.
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