Things to Remember When You Are Preparing to Take Your 4x4 Off Road

Traveling off-road can be a great adventure, but there are some things you need to have with you for basic 4x4 recovery in case you run into a problem. Often it is the little things you had not considered that will be the hardest to resolve if you go off-road unprepared.

Flat Tires

When you are thinking about 4x4 recovery, you need to consider how to deal with a flat tire. If you don't have a spare, don't have a jack, or don't know how to use the tools you do have, you could be stranded in the woods with no way to get back to town. 

One fundamental rule of 4x4 recovery is to know how to use the tools you have with you. Practice changing the tires on your 4x4 with only the tools you will have in the woods, and it is an excellent way to ensure that you can do it if the need arises. While you may be able to drive out of the woods on your flat tire, you will most likely damage the rim and tire. 

A farm jack is a great tool to have on your truck for 4x4 recovery. You can use it to lift the truck, move it off rocks or other obstacles, and some models can even be used as a come-along to pull the 4x4 out of the sand, mud, or other material.  

Basic Hand Tools

It is vital to assemble a small tool bag that contains basic hand tools that you or a fellow traveler may need on the trail. 4x4 recovery often comes down to fixing or removing parts to allow the truck to be towed out of the woods, and have a few tools is the best way to ensure you are ready for whatever happens. You can often repair a 4x4 with a broken universal joint on the trail, but if you don't have the tools to do the work, you can not fix the driveshaft, and you will need help from someone to get the job done, 

Straps and Tow Ropes

When you are considering straps and tow ropes for your rig, go to a shop that sells 4x4 recovery gear and let them know what you need. A strap should not have any metal parts on it in case it breaks. Some straps stretch and are great for 4x4 recovery, so talk to the shop owner or an employee about getting a strap that you can use to pull a truck out of the mud and a different one that is better suited for towing that truck off the trail.

If you go off-road prepared for 4x4 recovery, you can enjoy the ride more and promote a safer, more responsible sport for others to see. 

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