1. Buy Once Cry Once
- Recovery Boards, traction boards, there are many names for these. But they are a fantastic tool to have handy when your vehicle is stuck. Having a set of recovery boards that are of good quality made by a reputable brand is very important. You want a tool that is made well and works when called upon. Good well-known brands like TREDS or MAXTRAX offer great time-tested products backed by a lifetime warranty for peace of mind. Many cheaper products out there are more of a one-time use item, they break and fail which can leave you stranded. I recommend a set of 4 boards, one for each tire especially with a 4x4, for worst case scenarios. So do your homework and invest in good 4x4 recovery gear that will be reliable and last.
- The other part of this equation is to have a good way to secure and stow your recovery boards. I like to keep mine handy, so I have them mounted on my roof rack in an easy to access spot. Both TREDS and MAXTRAX have solid and secure mounting solutions for a variety of situations. There are also a lot of third-party brands that have clever mounting solutions that make your recovery boards quick to deploy but locked secure to prevent theft.
Tip: I use a lock to secure my recovery boards to my roof rack. I make sure to often lubricate my lock and function test it to ensure it won’t corrode and not release when needed. Make this a habit if you use a lock for your recovery boards.
2. It’s All In The Setup
- You’re stuck. You dig through all your 4x4 recovery gear and grab your new set of recovery boards deciding they will be the right tool for the stuck scenario. Let’s talk about the setup process for best results.
- First air down your tires to an appropriate pressure for the stuck situation. This will give your tires a better chance at gripping the recovery boards.
- Second, using a shovel or the end of your recovery boards, dig out in front of your tires making a clear path to escape. Make sure to check to see if you are also hung up on your differential, frame, leaf spring, or any other low point on the underside of the vehicle. Dig out that too for better success.
- Third, set each recovery board down in front and under the leading edge of each tire. This is very important to get right. Make sure tires are contacting the boards and not just floating with nothing under it.
- Finally, once everything is set in place properly give the vehicle steady throttle input allowing the tires to grip and drive out. It is very important to avoid tire spin, so you don’t burn up your recovery boards or damage tires. Again, just gentle steady throttle input is all that is needed. Give it enough for the tires to grip. If needed get out and reset any boards that are not doing work.
- Sometimes you may need to “build a road” out of your recovery boards to keep the train moving. Lay out several recovery boards in the line of travel. Or have a friend help rotate the boards so as you drive off one set, they can be brought around front again to drive onto keeping forward progress.
Tip: Brightly colored recovery boards are great to use in the dark and stand out in mud, sand, and snow, making them easier to spot and retrieve after a recovery.
3. Two Uses Are Better Than One
- Another great use for recovery boards is to use them as a vehicle leveling device when parking in camp. This is great if you are sleeping in or on your vehicle like in a rooftop tent. Lay a stack of the recovery boards down under the tire(s) on the low side of the vehicle and drive onto them. This helps level out your vehicle making camp life and sleeping much better. Have a mindset of multi-use purpose for your gear you carry in your vehicle. This helps extend the capabilities of your equipment and lessening the amount of single-purpose gear you carry.
Tip: Use the bubble level app on your phone to guide you when leveling out your vehicle.
Recovery boards are an essential part of your 4x4 recovery gear and can be used for bridging gaps, levelling the vehicle, and many other creative uses. Keep your recovery boards and other 4x4 recovery gear in good repair, wash it off when dirty, and inspect when putting away. Having good equipment and just as important, good training and knowledge of using the equipment, will help keep your adventures on the move.