BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO OFF ROADING: RECOVERY
That said, things can take an unexpected turn while off-roading. If something does happen, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll be sharing tips to help you handle these situations confidently. Just a quick disclaimer—we’re not saying these scenarios will happen, but when it comes to the trails, you can never be too careful or too prepared.
In our previous blog, we covered the essential gear and steps you need to take to stay prepared for your trip. Your vehicle should be in good shape, and you should have tires and wheels that are suitable for the terrain. Fittipaldi Off Road’s Beadlock (FB/FBF) and Terra (FT) Series have wheels that will fit your rig and also get you through the toughest trails.
Also, items like water, a first aid kit, and maps/GPS navigation are must-haves, but when it comes to recovery situations, you’ll need a few extra tools and supplies:
- A tire repair kit, a full-size spare and jack, and a portable tire inflator: Crucial when you have a damaged or flat tire
- Recovery gear – tow straps, shackles, and traction boards: Will help you get unstuck from a variety of terrain
- Jumper cables and/or portable jump starter: Essential for getting your vehicle running if your battery dies.
- Method of communication other than cell phones: Cell service isn’t always available, so having a non-cellular communicator such as HAM or GMRS radio, or even walkie talkies are good to have on hand. Just make sure that the others in your group are on the same type of radio and channel before departing. Always test before.
Now that you know what to bring, let’s talk about what happens if things don’t go as planned. One of the most important things you can do in any recovery situation? Stay calm. Panicking won’t help, and it can often make things worse. Take a breath, assess the situation, and approach it step by step.
Common Recovery Situations:
1.) Overheating Engine
A common problem people run into when off-roading, particularly with older vehicles, is an overheating engine. This can be caused by several factors, including an inadequate cooling system, excessive idling or driving in extreme temperatures. If this happens, pull over to a safe area and turn off your AC. Then, turn up the heater. It sounds counterintuitive, but this will draw the heat away from your engine. Let your engine rest until it cools completely, and once it’s good, restart it. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that your vehicle’s cooling system is functioning properly, so be sure to do those double checks before heading out.
2.) Electrical Issues
Blown fuses can take out important systems in your vehicle like its lights, starter circuit, or even fuel and ignition. This may occur if too much power is being drawn or if a short circuit happens after a rough section of a trail. Loose or corroded battery terminals can also cause power loss or make your vehicle hard to start, so remember to check that they’re clean and tight before heading out. Having a few spare fuses would also be a good thing to carry in case you need to replace any. If you run into an issue with a dead battery, this can be resolved with a jumpstart. There are a few ways you can do this; If you’re with a friend, their vehicle can be used to jumpstart yours. However, if there are no other vehicles nearby, having a portable jump starter is key to getting your battery up and running.
With Another Vehicle – Jumper Cable Method
- Make sure both vehicles are safely parked, turn off any unnecessary functions such as the radio, lights or other accessories, and locate the battery. Ensure that the vehicles are close enough to each other for the jumper cables to reach across without them having to stretch.
- Attach the jumper cables to the correct battery terminals.
- Connect one of the red clamps on your jumper cables to the positive terminal (+) of the vehicle with the dead battery. Then connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal (+) of the working battery. (A good thing to keep in mind: Red is for Positive.)
- Connect one of the black clamps to the negative terminal (-) of the good battery. Then, attach the remaining black cable to an unpainted metal surface in the vehicle with the dead battery, such as a bare bolt, a metal support under the hood, etc. This will prevent sparking and allow you to jumpstart safely. If you are not sure where to clamp, you can also connect to the negative terminal (-) on the dead battery.
- Start the working car and let it run for a few minutes to let the dead battery charge.
- After a few minutes, start the car with the dead battery. If it doesn’t start right away, try giving it a few more minutes to allow the battery to charge a bit longer.
- Remove the clamps in reverse order, and do not let the clamps touch once removed.
- First, remove the black clamp from the the car with the bad battery. Then remove the black one from the negative terminal (-) of the good battery.
- After that, remove the red clamp from the positive terminal (+) of the bad battery. Then remove the remaining red clamp from the positive terminal (+) of the good battery.
With a Portable Jump Starter
- Connect the jump starter’s clamps to the correct terminals.
- Attach the red clamp to the positive terminal (+) of the dead battery.
- Then, attach the black clamp to the negative terminal (-) of the dead battery. Turn on the jump starter. (Make sure that you’ve read the instructions for your jump starter beforehand.) Let this sit and allow for your battery to charge for a few minutes.
- Start your car. If it does not start up right away, give it a few more minutes before trying again.
- Remove your clamps. Start with the black clamp, and then disconnect the red clamp.
3.) Damaged or Flat Tire
Trails are full of sharp rocks, sticks, and other hazards. Driving on this rough and uneven terrain can lead to tire damage. If it’s just a small puncture, a tire plug kit can be used to temporarily seal the hole. These kits usually come with everything you need such as plug strips, a reamer, an insertion tool etc. Because there are several different types of plug kits, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. Remember, plugs are generally a temporary fix; don’t rely on it for long-term use.
If your tire has any sidewall damage, tears, or a large puncture, it is much safer to do a full tire swap than a quick repair. Changing a tire on the trail isn’t too different from doing it anywhere else, but you should move your vehicle to an area that is safe and stable.
- First, make sure you’re on level ground and that your parking brake is engaged. Consider adding a large rock/branch/wedge to the wheel opposite the one you will be replacing to keep your rig from moving.
- Start to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with your lug wrench before lifting your vehicle. Do not fully loosen or remove them. Also, be sure that at least 2 lug nuts are holding the wheel on until the weight of the vehicle is off the wheel/tire.
- Then look for jacking points, notches in your vehicle’s frame, to place your jack and slowly start to lift your vehicle just enough to remove and replace the tire. Each vehicle is different, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with the recommended factory jacking points for your specific vehicle. If you have a truck, SUV or Jeep with a body on frame, the best jacking points are on the axle tubes, frame and suspension control arms. Just be sure that the jack is stable and the vehicle won’t slip or slide off the jack.
- Remove the lug nuts and the damaged wheel & tire and replace with the good spare.
- Place the lug nuts back on and tighten them by hand first.
- Lower your vehicle, and once your wheels are on the ground, remove the jack.
- Then tighten the lug nuts with your lug wrench in a criss-cross pattern.
- Double-check everything before hitting the trail again.
4.) Getting Stuck
Getting stuck is part of the off-road experience. You might be on challenging terrain that has some loose or slippery spots, or you might’ve taken a wrong turn that causes your vehicle to get stuck at an awkward angle. Regardless of how it happened, it is key to know how to get out safely.
If you’re not already in 4 wheel drive, put your rig in 4WD mode. This should let you drive out of most simple situations. Resist hitting the gas pedal aggressively, as spinning your tires excessively can cause you to dig yourself deeper into whatever terrain you’re stuck in.
If you’re sunken into softer terrain, such as mud or sand and 4WD isn’t enough to drive out, traction boards are an option that can help you regain grip. Clear any debris around your tires, and if necessary, use a shovel to help get rid of as much of it as possible. Then, wedge the traction boards underneath the tires. Lightly accelerate while steering in the direction you intend to go. Do this slowly to avoid spinning out and ejecting the traction boards from underneath your vehicle.
If you’re stuck in a more difficult position, you may need a pull. recovery gear such as tow straps and shackles will be helpful. Attach a tow strap to your vehicle’s recovery points, connect to a second vehicle using shackles, and keep the strap taut while pulling slowly. Take your time and do this carefully to avoid damaging either rig. These situations are why it’s important to go off-roading with a friend, especially when you’re just starting out.
5.) Getting Lost
Losing your way can happen, especially in remote areas with no cell service. This is where your preparation pays off. Having your digital maps downloaded, or even having a physical printed map, and familiarizing yourself with the route before can make a significant difference. Make sure you have everything ready to go before you head out. Try to reorient yourself by looking for distinct landmarks or trail markers and matching them to your map. If needed, you can backtrack to the last spot you’re sure of before moving forward. Many modern vehicles are Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capable which makes GPS navigation a breeze when used in conjunction with an off road navigation app. If your vehicle wasn’t factory equipped with these features, or if you want to upgrade for better features, you can easily add aftermarket solutions like this one from Alpine. Companies like Trail Grid Pro have vehicle-specific plug and play packages to make installation even easier.
Communication between multiple vehicles and/or distances is also very important. If you ever get separated from your group, need to warn others about approaching hazards or traffic or need to relay any sort of information, radios or walkie-talkies come in handy. Having a way to quickly communicate across short distances can help you regroup without having to rely on often non-existent cell service. For more serious situations where you can’t find your way and need additional help, a satellite communicator can send messages and share your location. Some smartphones are even equipped with the ability to send and receive satellite messages, but we recommend testing it before heading out. And like we mentioned in our previous guide, always send your route and plans to someone who won’t be joining you on this adventure, so they know where you’re headed in case of an emergency.
Off-roading comes with its own challenges, but with preparation and a calm approach, you can handle whatever the trails throw at you. For more beginner tips, check out our first guide to see how to get started in the off-road space. Also, don’t forget to download and print out our gear checklist before your next trip. If you’re running Fittipaldi Off Road wheels on your vehicle, don’t forget to tag us @fittipaldioffroad and use #FittipaldiSummerSetup. We want to see your off-road adventures!