Snatch straps
Snatch straps consist of varying lengths of heavy duty webbing designed to connect between two vehicles, using the free vehicle to pull the stuck vehicle clear from the obstruction. It’s important to closely follow the rigging instructions as snatch-straps can be quite dangerous if strap ratings aren't followed or are connected incorrectly. Not suitable for solo adventurers.
You can purchase complete snatch strap kits with everything you need all together in its own carry bag.
Winch
Winches work by running the cable from the winch to a fixed anchor point and then having the winch pull the vehicle free in a slow and controlled manner. They are perfect for single vehicle trips as they don’t require the assistance of a second vehicle. On bush tracks or areas with plenty of structures close by, namely trees and large rocks, a winch is the perfect method of extraction. You can also use the winch to pull other vehicles free, but in this situation a snatch strap would also suffice.
If there is no anchor point available, it's possible to dig an anchor point into the ground assuming it's soft enough. For sand, a spare tyre is a great option. Using a spare tyre can damage the structural integrity of the wheel, particularly those without steel rims, so ensure it's inspected by a professional before it goes on the road.
RECOVERY TRACKS
Recovery tracks are heavy duty plastic ramps that double as a shovel, designed to provide traction and a larger wheel footprint for trapped vehicles to drive out of a bog. These are ideal for use by solo adventurers in sand and mud. Ramps can be stored inside each other and fixed to the roof racks or spare wheels using the specially designed holster system. It's recommended to use 4 ramps at a time, one under each wheel of your 4WD to offer maximum grip and gain as much momentum as possible. In areas where you may get stuck on hard rock, the ramps would not be suitable, and using them in such situations may cause damage, in which case you should revert back to a winch or snatch strap.
Tie lengths of rope to the ramps and then connect to your vehicle's tow point. This will allow you to drive free of your bogged position without having to stop, run back and grab your ramps. They will drag along out of harm's way behind the vehicle.
Ensuring you have the correct equipment to get yourself free from whatever terrain you find yourself stuck in will go a long way to ensuring your next off-road adventure is a cracker!