If you plan on heading into the bundu on an overland journey, or simply want to spend a day on your local 4×4 trail, you should always have a recovery kit in your vehicle.
If we’re honest, getting properly stuck and having to recover your vehicle can sometimes be a “fun” part of off-roading. After all, a tough recovery can make for a great story!
But if you don’t have the tools needed for the job, a recovery can be a terribly frustrating activity. If you have the right kit, getting your 4×4 on the move again can be a piece of cake. But if you don’t have a comprehensive recovery kit, you might just have to wait for a kind Samaritan to come along.
Here is what your bag should contain:
You should have at least one rated snatch strap and one rated pull strap. When I say “rated”, I mean that the straps should be rated for safe use with your particular vehicle.
If the vehicle, once all your stuff is inside, weighs more than 2500kg, the straps should be strong enough to handle that weight. And if you are towing a trailer or caravan, that extra weight needs to be calculated as well.
You should also have rated bow shackles for use with your straps. Be sure to have at least two in your bag.
Even if you don’t have a winch fitted on your 4×4, you should still have a snatch block, tree trunk protector and a recovery winch blanket in your kit. If you get so badly stuck that only a winch can save you, you will at least have these items on hand if someone with a winch comes along.
What other items would be useful? Well, a machete and a saw might come in handy, as well as a toolbox with some basic tools. A tyre repair kit is a must. And you should always carry a spade. A compact spade that you can use underneath your 4×4 when you’re stuck would be ideal.
For hardcore 4×4 enthusiasts who will be tackling very difficult trails, it is worth taking a drag chain along as well.
If you’re heading into the dunes, or plan on travelling on soft sand, recovery tracks are must-have items.
Finally, all this equipment can be dangerous, so always pack a pair of gloves in your kit bag that you can use when handling your recovery gear.