Freelander 1 Most used piece of self recovery equipment.

I'm beginning to explore the trails and track in the hills around where I live. I've managed to get stuck twice now but managed to extricate myself. Yes I do carry some essential equipment: phone - shovel - to strap with good shackles...

I'm curious as to what see just what is the most used pieces of self recovery equipment is by this forum's users.

Without a doubt my most used items are;

1. Brain
2. Patience
3. A Pause

Then some sensible manoeuvring/wheel position.
I think the problem is people will always use what they have available to them, which is what makes this kind post a little misleading if you are looking what to purchase... Winch is often easier than popping chains on, if I had a crane I would have used that, If I had a friend I would have used them.

Hmm, yes. I agree with your three points. That pause is the most valuable, panicking only makes things worse. Yes I was 'fishing' for info' from peep's experiences. As I said it's what works when we need to self rescue.

htr said:

Hmm, yes. I agree with your three points. That pause is the most valuable, panicking only makes things worse. Yes I was 'fishing' for info' from peep's experiences. As I said it's what works when we need to self rescue.

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One of my first time stuck I was revving and thought I had burnt the clutch out only to find in my panic, I had knocked it into neutral. No matter what is said Winches are great, when abroad we went down a little BOAT equivalent, it wasn't too bad but as it was Eastern Europe and just us, something I wouldn't have done without a winch as just the re-assurance that something as simple as slipping off a track could have stumped us big time.

I have a few hand winches I take with me when I expect problems...

And have managed to get myself out of a few fixes with them, but I dont do "proper" offroading, its just forestry tracks around the Estate where I work. I have ordered a proper electric winch though as I have good use for one for felling trees.

dave21478 said:

I have a few hand winches I take with me when I expect problems...

And have managed to get myself out of a few fixes with them, but I dont do "proper" offroading, its just forestry tracks around the Estate where I work. I have ordered a proper electric winch though as I have good use for one for felling trees.

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I've got one of these. Bought it as I was advised on ere it was betterer than nothing. I think they started life as a winch to pull a caravan to a vehicle so you could connect it. They don't winch very far and pulling weight is very low. Never used it for real. Just messed with it to see how it operates.

Not sure if a winch is much cop down in Otago - I think you're more likely to pull the Gorse out of the ground - not many trees around! You might need a ground anchor as well. In Canterbury you could fix it to a cow, but Otago sheep ain't up to the job.

How about a bag of quick drying cement and a couple of bottles of water - pour that under the wheels with no grip

Yeah, not a lot of gorse either, briar, tussock and matagouri for miles. It's those sticky creeks / bogs at the bottom of gullies - interestingly deep! That's why I asked about recovery boards. I was thinking of an exhaust jack and two pairs of boards.