the vehicle—by 30 percent, says Komar. Lower
pressures enlarge the contact patch of your tire,
boosting traction. Also essential: Air your tires
back up to normal road pressures after you’re free.
If you’re unable to add air, limit your speed once
you’re back on the road to prevent the tires from
coming off the bead or delaminating.
Finally, prepare a path of least resistance by
clearing any loose obstacles in your vehicle’s way
and turning your front wheels straight. Now you’ll
rock yourself out. Slowly roll forward and back-
ward, but ease off the accelerator pedal right as you
feel the wheels lose traction, then roll back to your
starting point. Your goal is to gradually gain more
ground each time before spinning your wheels.
For extra assistance, Komar says that common
items like your tire jack and f loor mats can get you
out in a pinch. On firmer ground like dirt or gravel,
use your tire jack to lift your drive wheels off the
ground and sneak rocks underneath to gain trac-
tion—sticks or logs are usually too slipper y. In sand
and snow, you can ram f loor mats underneath the
wheels to provide the additional f lotation you need
to get moving again.
But since you planned ahead (right?), your
emergency kit (see sidebar below) can get you home
without trashing your f loor mats. If you’re able to
f lag down a passing truck, ask for an assist via tow
rope. Komar recommends kinetic ropes, which give
and stretch, allowing the tow vehicle’s momentum
to apply greater force to your vehicle.
Komar says to not think in straight lines—like
when rocking a vehicle free—for getting a success-
ful tow. The goal is to bring your vehicle back on the
road as soon as possible. Towing from front to back
will likely just drag your vehicle further up or down
the ditch that you’re already in.
After strapping the rope to a recovery point
or properly rated tow point, tow the vehicle using
small tugs rather than one big yank. This is more
effective and this lessens the load applied to both
vehicles. During the tow, sit behind your wheel,
ready to apply the brakes. If you’re able to break
free, make sure to apply the emergency brake
before getting out of your vehicle. Komar has
seen drivers leave their vehicle in a fit of adrena-
line, only to have their pride and joy roll back into
the ditch.
If all else fails, call for a professional rescue. If
you can’t get cell service to google and call a nearby
recovery service, a satellite communicator (we like
the Garmin In-Reach Mini) will call in a rescue.ACTIVITY
GROUP A
ACTIVE TRAUMA
VEHICLE KIT
This kit includes
everything you’ll
need—from basic
bandages and
tourniquets to a chest
seal—in case anyone is
injured by your off-road
adventure. $
VIAIR 88P
TIRE INFLATOR
This tire inflator is easy
to use and doesn’t need
to be hardwired to your
vehicle’s electric system.
After connecting it to
your battery using the
included alligator clips,
the 88P can inflate 33-
inch tires in less than six
minutes. $IN-REACH MINI
The In-Reach Mini
sends text messages
when there’s no cell
reception and can
alert the International
Emergency Response
Coordination Center,
which will send a
rescue team to your
location. $MATT’S
OFF-ROAD
RECOVERY
ROPE
Used by professionals,
this kinetic recovery
rope functions like a
massive rubber band,
allowing smaller rigs
to tug out machines
well above their weight
class. $DEFLATOR
TIRE GAUGE
The E-Z Deflator
Gauge gives
you an accurate
measurement every
time. With an analog
display, there’s also
no need to worry
about batteries dying.
$42 COURTESY ACTIVITY GROUP (KIT); COURTESY VIAIR (INFLATOR); COURTESY ARB (GAUGE); COURTESY GARMIN (IN-REACH); COURTESY MATT'S OFF-ROAD RECOVERY (ROPE)12 January/February 2022
C a r s &
(^4) Trucks