If you’re getting off the beaten track, carrying some off-roaders little helpers to help you get out of trouble is not optional, it’s essential. If you’ve got oodles of cash you probably went a just bought the whole kit with the change in your back pocket, but if you’re like most of us your recovery gear has evolved over time.

Let me share mine with you…

The Bag.

Purpose:  To keep all your stuff in one place.

When I purchased my roof rack from Tigerz11 they threw in a ‘recovery kit’.  {insert warning signs here}.  I gave away or chucked out most of the gear inside the kit, but the bag was pretty nifty so I kept that.  It’s actually seen it’s fair share of action and it still looks like new so I can’t fault them on the quality of their bags.

The Snatch Strap.

Purpose: In short it’s like a tow rope, but different in that it works like a big elastic band to help pull someone out (or be pulled out) of a bog.

I’ve shared before my love affair with ARB snatch straps and it still has pride of place in the recovery bag. It’s the number one most used recovered item in my kit and should be one of the first things you order for yours!

The Winch Extension strap

Purpose: To add some extra length to your winch cable/rope if you need it.

The overall length of a winch cable / rope when you’re in the thick of it is pretty short so adding a little extra length can be very handy. As I’ve got a plasma roped TJM winch, I thought I’d have the extension strap to suit.

The Tree Trunk Protector

Purpose: To wrap around the trunk of a tree so you don’t ring bark (and kill it) with your winch cable.

I actually think it should be illegal to sell a winch without one of these. They don’t cost much nor do they take up much room. My one is again TJM branded and oh yeah, I kinda of care for the environment too.

Tyre Deflators

Purpose: To allow you to reduce your tyre pressures on all tyres at once without you having to keep your finger on the release valve.

Lowering your tyre pressure is theoretically a recovery deterrent but too often have they come into use after the first recovery incident. Mine are the Staun variety and pre-set to 20 PSI.

Tyre Pressure gauge

Purpose: To check your tyre pressures

Whilst I do have my delators pre-set to the PSI I want, it’s not 100% foolproof so I like to double check. My compressor has it’s own gauge, but this $10 unit is much easier and quicker to whip out of the recovery bag than getting the entire compressor unit out.

Winch safety dampener

Purpose: To stop someone getting killed if your winch lets go.

I stand corrected, I did keep something from the Tigerz11 kit.  I figured they couldn’t get a piece of plastic wrong.  This unit helps stop the wince rope decapitating someone if it let’s go.  This dampener sits on your winch cable and slows the whip if it lets go.

Snatch Block

Purpose: To allow you to double the pulling power of your winch, or adjust your winch angle.

My device for doubling winching power booster is one of ARBs finest. The bigger the better when it comes to snatch blocks. I have only had to use it a couple of times, but they can be really handy when you do need them.

D Shackles X 6

Purpose: The glue that holds a lot of your recovery gear together.

I perhaps go a little overboard with my shackles, but as you can see from this post, shackle choice is important.  I have three pairs of varying sizes — all rated bow shackles.

Riggers Gloves X 2 sets

Purpose: Keep your hands clean.

Now if you’ve got a wire rope for your winch then riggers gloves are essential.  Being cut from wire rope is not fun at all. Don’t learn the hard way like I did.  But as I’ve got rope these days, I found the gloves more keep your hands clean that serve a huge protective purpose.  I keep two as you never know when you’re going to leave one set in the mud.

… and the stuff that’s not technically in my bag, but never far from it.

The Winch:

Purpose: To pull you out of a bog when there are no mates around.

I’ve got a TJM 12,000 lbs winch that I’ve reviewed here. It’s still going a strong as the day I bought it. Even this weekend it pulled out a bogged tractor on my property.

Air Compressor

Purpose: To pump your tyres back up

I would say technically not a recovery tool, but knowing you can pump your tyres up at any time will give you more encouragement to let them down… and that might mean you don’t get bogged at all!

Shovel

Purpose: To dig yourself out of a mess.

When the shovels come our you know your in trouble. It’s time to dig yourself out. I actually carry two shovels.  A full length one that’s strapped to the roof, and any army style fold out one that is in my drawers as a backup.

So that’s whats in my recovery bag today.  I’d love to know what I’m missing that’s in yours!