Recovery 101 — Safe, No-Drama Self-Recoveries

Traction boards • Straps & ropes • Rated points • PSI • Safety perimeter • Step-by-step playbooks

New: Skills — Mud & Ruts Mini-Series

Build confidence in sloppy conditions with our three practical, gear-backed guides:

Mud Bogging 101

Assess depth, pick safe lines, set PSI, keep momentum, and recover smart.

Read guide

Deep Ruts — Pro Tips

Straddle vs. drop-in, steer into the rut wall, spotter signals, and high-center recovery.

View article

Mud Driver’s Checklist

Tiered packing list, staging tips, tool roll & spares, safety, drills, and maintenance.

Get the checklist

🛠 Shop Trailblazer Adventure Gear — Recovery Essentials

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Recovery basics (mindset first)

Stop. Assess. Don’t spin. Read the terrain, choose the least-risk option.
Clear the danger zone. Keep people out of line-of-fire; use a spotter.
Use rated gear only. Proper recovery points and hardware, sized for your rig.
Prefer gradual force. Traction boards + steady throttle beat violent yanks.

Gear explained (what to use and when)

Traction boards

Fastest, safest tool for sand/snow/mud. Seat cleats into tread; throttle gently.

Read: MAXTRAX MKII Review

Static strap

Low-stretch, controlled pulls/towing on firm ground.

Read: Rhino USA Strap Review

Kinetic rope

Elastic stretch (≈15–30%) for dynamic extractions in mud/sand. Advanced technique.

Tree saver & dampener

Anchoring for winching; protect trees and reduce recoil risk.

Rated shackles & points

Use only chassis-mounted points and rated hardware sized to load.

PSI kit

Gauge + compressor. Air down for grip, air up for highway.

🛒 Shop Recovery Essentials (Trailblazer Store)

Technique that actually works

Air down smart. Lower PSI increases footprint and traction (see guide below).
Dig to the tire face. Remove sand/mud in front; seat boards into lugs.
Drive smooth. Light throttle; no wheelspin. Reset if you slip.
Use static pulls. Gentle, straight-line tension with rated strap and points.
Escalate carefully. Only use kinetic rope if trained and perimeter is clear.

Deep-dive board technique: Overlanding with Traction Boards — Beyond Recovery (ebook)

Airing-down & PSI (quick ranges)

Surface	Typical PSI*	Notes
Sand	12–18 PSI	Go lower for soft dunes; keep speeds low.
Snow	15–22 PSI	Lower as needed; avoid spinning on ice.
Mud	15–22 PSI	Focus on clean tread and steady throttle.
Rocky/Trail	18–26 PSI	Protect sidewalls; choose lines carefully.

*Ranges depend on vehicle weight, tire size, and load. Reinflate before highway speeds.

Step-by-step playbooks

Sand

Air down to the range above.
Dig; seat boards; leash ready.
Steady throttle onto firm surface.

Snow

Lower PSI; avoid spinning.
Boards + gentle inputs.
Recover boards; re-assess line.

Mud

Clear tire face; place boards.
Keep wheel speed low.
Use static strap to reposition if needed.

Want a deeper dive? Read our MAXTRAX MKII review and Traction Boards ebook.

Common mistakes to avoid

Wheelspin on boards — melts cleats and digs deeper.
Using tow balls or unrated points — catastrophic failure risk.
Standing in the line-of-fire during pulls.
Driving highway speeds on aired-down tires.

Pre-recovery checklist

Clear the area; assign a spotter; agree on signals.
Identify rated recovery points on both vehicles.
Choose the least-force option (boards → static pull → kinetic).
Set a safety perimeter; keep bystanders well clear.
After recovery, inspect gear; clean and stow.

🛒 Shop Recovery Essentials — Trailblazer Adventure Gear

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