Guidance on Recovery Equipment and Other Gear
We’ve compiled a guide below for the gear and equipment you will definitely need in order to take part in club activities, through to
the more specialised gear which could be handy, but is not absolutely necessary.
Experienced members are also available to give you advice on what to get (and what not to get).
Must Haves (Mandatory)
Buying guide: Gear up for 2018 – Part 1 (Mandatory Must-Haves)
- UHF Radio. Preferably mounted in your vehicle, but if not, a good quality handheld unit will get you out of trouble. If
you go the handheld option, you will very likely need some way of charging it during a trip, or you will need to carry
spare batteries. - First Aid Kit. Get a decent one, and make sure you check and renew items regularly.
- Suitable Vehicle Mounted Recovery Points. Some factory points are suitable, others are not. If you are not sure, talk
to one of the experienced members, or to your 4WD mechanic to get some advice. A recovery hitch which mounts
into your towbar receiver is a good option for a rear recovery point. - Long Handled Shovel. Yep, plenty of recoveries include some digging. They also have other, very important uses
around camp…… - Rigger’s gloves
- Good quality Air Compressor & gauge. You will have to reduce pressures for off road driving, so you need a means
to pump the tyres back up to highway pressure when you hit the bitumen again. - Snatch Strap and rated Shackles, and a strap/cable dampener (blanket). An equalisation bridle may also be a good
idea depending on how robust (or not) your front recovery points are.
Highly Recommended
Buying guide: Gear up for 2018 – Part 2 (Highly Recommended)
- All Terrain or Mud Terrain Tyres. Standard passenger tyres will be okay in some conditions, but when the going gets
tough, they don’t really perform very well, and are prone to failure. - Snorkel. Will dramatically reduce the chances of you getting an engine full of water doing a river crossing, but are
also useful in reducing the amount of dust going into the air filter when in a convoy. - Tyre deflators/s. Being able to air down reasonably quickly and accurately is much more convenient than just
attacking the valve with a match. - Upgraded Suspension. For more clearance and to cope with the extra loads you are carrying.
Useful (But you can probably get away without it)
- Recovery Boards (eg Maxtrax, TREDs) If you are doing sand driving, these get bumped up to (very) highly
recommended. - Vehicle mounted Winch. Go for synthetic rope rather than steel cable. It’s lighter, stronger, and safer.
Plus, winch extension strap, snatch block/s, more shackles, tree protector, and the dampener you already have for
your snatch strap. - High Lift Jack
- Bullbar
- Diff locker(s)
- Underbody Protection
- Auxiliary lights
- Diff & Transmission breathers
- Solid side steps / sliders
- Rear protection bar
- Auxiliary battery