There is no doubt that eventually you will end up stuck somewhere in the sand, and it might as well be sooner rather than later!

The quicker you learn to deal with it and accept it (you are not superhuman), the quicker you will also learn that there are ways to avoid it and ways to deal with it if it happens.

Take note that everyone can get stuck. Every desert guide, instructor, self-declared expert, or enthusiast has gotten stuck, and it should be used as a fantastic learning opportunity.

Self-Recovery #

Before taking out ropes, take a break and, if possible, exit your vehicle to do a 360° walkaround. It will bring down your heart rate and give you a much better view of what is holding you back.

If, based on your assessment, you need to shovel a bit:

Take out your shovel and clear as much sand as possible from the locations where the sand could be holding back the vehicle. This could be around the bumpers, wheels, fuel tank, or chassis.

If there is no need to shovel, move on to the next step.

Engage Low Range (4LO) and try a couple of full left-to-full right steering attempts to see if you can dislodge some sand from the front tires. If you have rear and front differential locks on board, now is the perfect time to engage them as well.

Now choose the direction you want to go and where gravity is working with you: forward or reverse?

Apply gentle throttle while continuing to steer full left to full right. As soon as you encounter wheelspin, reduce your throttle. The aim is to make the tires crawl and dig your vehicle out, not to create a sand fountain!

This process might take 2 minutes or 25 minutes. It does not matter. As long as the vehicle is moving, there is a chance. Stay calm and don’t give up. There will come a time when it will no longer be necessary to steer full left to full right—more like moving the steering wheel from the 9 o’clock to the 3 o’clock position.

Reducing your tire pressure further, to around 5–6 psi during a self-recovery attempt, can definitely help in challenging terrain.

Traction On or Off? #

During desert driving, we keep the traction control OFF, but for self-recovery, if you don’t have differential locks, it can be very useful to enable traction control again. The reason is that it will limit wheelspin, and some advanced traction control systems will act like a poor man’s differential lock.

The Mitsubishi Pajero has an excellent traction control system for self-recovery.

Rope Recovery #

OK, so self-recovery didn’t work? Well, at least you tried.

Performing a kinetic rope recovery is not difficult, but from here onwards the word SAFETY needs to be constantly at the forefront of your mind.

The aim of every kinetic recovery is to apply the least amount of force needed. If more force is required, you can always perform additional attempts. It is much better to make five or six attempts with gradually increasing intensity than one aggressive pull that might break recovery points.

The person performing the recovery is in charge. He or she will decide the safest and most effective approach.

Preparing for the Recovery #

Start by clearing as much sand as possible from around the stuck vehicle. You can even dig a path behind or in front of the tires, which will help the recovery go more smoothly.

Sand traction boards work well in mud and beach sand and occasionally in soft desert sand. If you have them, you can install them in front of or behind the tires, depending on the intended recovery direction.

Now install the recovery rope between both vehicles using soft shackles. These are much safer than metal D-shackles.

Once the rope is installed, leave approximately 0.5 m of free play in the rope. You can lay it on the sand in a gentle S-shape.Once the rope is installed, leave approximately 0.5 m of free play in the rope. You can lay it on the sand in a gentle S-shape.

Special Recoveries #

For heavy-duty recoveries involving heavy vehicles, mud, or construction sand, it may be advisable to install a bridle to distribute the load across two recovery points. For example, the Jeep Wrangler has two front recovery points, making it ideal for this technique.

A safety strap can also be used during heavier recoveries. It works in the same way as a recovery damper or sandbag placed over the rope. If a recovery point, shackle, or rope fails during the recovery, the safety strap helps contain the recoil.

If the vehicle being recovered has no suitable recovery points, you will need to identify the strongest structural points on the vehicle. These may include the front or rear axle or the lower control arms. Exercise extreme caution, avoid aggressive pulls, and only apply gentle recovery forces.

If the vehicle that has to be recovered has no recovery points, you will need to find the strongest points on the vehicle. This could be the front or rear axle, or the lower arms. Take extreme caution and don’t do any aggressive pulls.

Recovery Notes #

Radio communication is essential during every recovery. It keeps spotters and shovelers informed so they know when to stay clear.

Never attach or perform a recovery using a tow ball. Tow balls can shear off under load and become dangerous projectiles.

Screw-in tow hooks are designed for towing, not for kinetic sand recoveries. If there is absolutely no other option, use them with extreme caution, apply only light recovery forces, and never pull at an angle.

Screw-in tow hooks are designed for towing, not for kinetic sand recoveries. If there is absolutely no other option, use them with extreme caution, apply only light recovery forces, and never pull at an angle.

Which Direction Should I Recover From? #

The best recovery direction depends on the situation.

• If maintaining full visibility of the stuck vehicle is important, it often makes sense to attach the recovery rope to the front recovery points of your vehicle.
• If more recovery force is required and your vehicle has stronger rear recovery points or a rated tow bar, recovering from the rear may be the better option.
• If the terrain ahead of your own vehicle is difficult, such as areas with bushes or hidden obstacles, recovering from the rear may also allow you to better monitor your own vehicle’s path.