Pushing the limits of your off-road vehicles is something every adventurer has done. Successful attempts are often hit and miss. Being in the rough terrain and wanting to explore the environment is what the recipe for getting stuck calls for. When you are having the freedom to go on your camping trip and let loose, it will often land you in the mud and muck, in which you find it difficult to escape. We at Citywide Towing would like to share the options you have to get your vehicle out of the predicament.
How to Get a Car Unstuck Out of the Mud
Rock the Car Out of the Mud: A technique is known as “rocking” literally rocks the car back and forth and out of the mud. Upon realizing that your vehicle is bogging, throw it in reverse for starters, keep the wheels straight and gradually accelerate; your goal is to get back on solid ground. If the car has four-wheel drive be sure it is set to it. If after going only a short distance in reverse your vehicle bogs down again, shift into low gear and power forward as far as possible. Turn the tires side to side to get the edge of the treads to grip the surface if the tires spin. Gradually increase acceleration as you are moving forward. As long as you continue to make progress, repeat the back-and-forward process. To reduce weight in the vehicle, and to help add force, have any passengers get out and help push if necessary.
Add Traction to Get Car Unstuck: Traction can help if the terrain is especially slick. Beneath the edge of the tire in the direction you want to go, whether it is forward or reverse, place a dry solid. Rocks, limbs and boards all make adequate options and if you are in a place that is barren of such, you can always try the floor mat of your vehicle, but it probably will not survive the experience. Additionally, reduce the amount of air pressure in your tires to gain more contact between the ground and the tires’ tread. Professionals recommend dropping the pressure to 18 – 20 pounds per square inch. The vehicle’s jack to lift the tires off the ground in the event your vehicle is resting on the undercarriage makes for an optimal solution. Ensure the jack is on a solid surface and DO NOT crawl under the vehicle while it’s jacked up. After you have the vehicle lifted just a few inches, slide sticks, boards or other solid items beneath the tires to provide lift and traction.
Pull Car Out of the Mud: If you have a buddy in a truck with you, they can offer assistance and pull you out. Attach a recovery strap or tow strap to both trucks’ tow hitches, frame-mounted tow hooks or the frame itself. Avoid strapping it to the bumper, axles, or parts of the suspension or the hitch ball, these areas will sustain damage and likely still leave you stuck. Have the rescue vehicle slowly pull most of the slack from the strap; allowing only enough room for them to get up a little speed before pulling on the stuck one. The lead vehicle should never stomp the gas; avoiding damage of either vehicle or the strap. The stuck vehicle should be in gear and begin applying gas as the vehicle starts to move. Be sure all bystanders stay 2-3 car lengths from the vehicles and out of their path of travel in the event the strap breaks or one of the vehicles begins to slide.
Winch Outs of Mud, Sand, Snow, Ditches & More in Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Mesquite & Greater Dallas, Texas
If off-roading is something you do on a regular basis, consider installing a winch so you can winch yourself when you are stuck; or trust in a professional. Citywide Towing offers winch out services to help you out of the mud, dirt, snow, or ditch whenever you find your vehicle stuck. Be sure to program our contact information into your cell phone to reach us quickly and conveniently.
