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One of the top annoyances for anyone going off-roading or tackling muddy terrain is getting stuck. It’s a real pain, especially if you’re actually travelling to get somewhere specific on your journey. But even if you’re driving for pleasure, it’s a delay you’d rather not have and a tricky situation to get yourself out of.
Whether you’re new to this and aren’t sure how to free your vehicle when stuck in mud or you simply want to be armed with as many options as possible, we’ve got six techniques that might just make your life a little easier.
One of the top annoyances for anyone going off-roading or tackling muddy terrain is getting stuck. It’s a real pain, especially if you’re actually travelling to get somewhere specific on your journey. But even if you’re driving for pleasure, it’s a delay you’d rather not have and a tricky situation to get yourself out of.
Whether you’re new to this and aren’t sure how to free your vehicle when stuck in mud or you simply want to be armed with as many options as possible, we’ve got six techniques that might just make your life a little easier.
The Heavyweight
Let’s start with something simple: placing more weight over the wheels that provide the drive. This is basic physics at work, since the heavier the force over those wheels, the more likely they are to gain traction - unless you’ve sunk in a marshy patch of land, that is.
If you have rear-wheel drive, put more weight over that axle, while if you have front-wheel drive, place more weight at the front of your vehicle. This is usually enough to do the trick if just a little bit of traction on a muddy surface is all that’s required.
The Traction Technique
Often, your wheels can be so surrounded by so much mud that it’s impossible to get the necessary traction. A common way of freeing yourself in this situation is to create that opportunity for traction yourself by placing something right in front of your wheels. This can be anything you have to hand such as cardboard, blankets or even your floor mats from inside the car if you’re desperate.
If you’re a regular off-roader on muddy terrain, it might be worth investing in purpose-built traction mats to keep in your vehicle for just such an occasion.
The Go-Slow Tow
A seemingly simple solution to the problem of being stuck is to get someone else to tow you out. However, you need the right recovery equipment to make this work and someone else with equipment who is willing to help.
Once you’re connected, leave the strap on the ground and have the recovering vehicle begin to move away very slowly until the strap becomes tight. As you start to feel the pull, you should then slowly accelerate forward, matching the speed of the recovery vehicle to free yourself - hence why it’s easier to take the slow approach.
The Rock Steady
This is another technique that requires the help of others - either numerous passengers or people who may be passing by. It’s all about creating a little momentum to give you that boost so that you can accelerate out of the mud. But be warned, it could get messy!
Firstly, clear some room around your wheels, then have your helpers push the vehicle back and forth as much as they can to essentially swing you. You’ll need to keep the wheels straight and match the momentum by putting the vehicle in reverse and back into a low, forward gear. If the conditions are right, you should eventually get enough helpful momentum to drive out.
The Deflator
When we’re talking about traction, we think about getting a firm grip, but the greater the surface area of your tyres, the better chance they have of achieving that grip - it’s not just the power or what you put in front of the tyre that can help.
Deflating your tyres is one way of getting that increase in surface area, but you should only consider this if you have a portable tire pump or compressor to help inflate them again when you’re free. Think of this as more of a last resort when it comes to getting out of the mud, and definitely don’t bother if your tyres are fully submerged already.
The Digger
While it might seem obvious, digging your way out could be an option if the conditions are right. Sometimes your tyres just need a little room and a lower surface level to clear. If you’re going off-roading, you should always keep an emergency shovel for this reason. That way, if you’re stuck, you can dig around your tyres, particularly in front of them and behind them.
Extra Tips
Keep moving once you’re out - It’s tempting to celebrate your freedom straight away once you get out of the mud, but you’ll want to keep moving until you hit firm, safer ground, otherwise you may just be sinking back into another patch of muddy land.
Keep things slow and steady - All the techniques we’ve outlined should be taken with caution. Slow and steady means you keep control of the situation while keeping yourself and others safe - not to mention that it creates less mess.
Avoid tracks other vehicles make - Sometimes called “tramlines”, you’ll want to avoid the tracks other vehicles make when you’re moving out of the mud as they are likely to be slippery lanes that could hamper progress. Aim for firmer ground with more traction.
Fit the appropriate tyres - Off-roading requires preparation for your vehicle, so invest in all-terrain tyres or mud tyres so that you can fit the appropriate tyres before setting out. This lessens your chances of getting stuck in the first place.
At Milner Off Road, we’re leading suppliers of off-road tyres. Simply take a look at our tyre range, select the right size and find the right tread type for your needs.
We’ve been helping off-road enthusiasts since 1981 and offer same-day shipping on all our products - including winching and towing equipment - helping you get what you need as quickly as possible. And if you’re not sure exactly what you need, our specialist advisors are available to help - just give us a call!