It’s always a good idea to prepare your truck for off-roading with LED lights, running boards, and bull bars. But don’t forget to add some recovery gear, too. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck because you didn’t arrive prepared for the challenge.
In this blog, we look at some of our favorite off-road recovery gear and explain why they are essential items for your Jeep, Truck, or SUV.
The Bare Basics
These are relatively cheap and very useful items and should be part of every off-road recovery gear kit. The essentials, the must-haves, the don’t-leave-home-without-em’s…whatever you may call them, don’t be caught without these 3 basics.
1. Tow Straps And Shovels
At some point during your off-road travels, you’ll get stuck. If you don’t, you simply aren’t trying hard enough. A shovel will allow you to add earth under tires for traction if needed and is useful for other duties.
A tow strap will allow you to hook up to another vehicle and get free. Make sure the tow strap you get is rated for your vehicle’s weight.
2. Recovery Traction Boards
Traction mats, or recovery boards, help your vehicle gain traction on soft surfaces like mud or sand. They provide a stable platform for your tires to grip onto and can assist in getting your vehicle unstuck. Invest in a good set (like these) and you’ll find they’re well worth the investment.
3. Toolbox
You won’t want all your recovery gear rattling around the load bed. A sturdy toolbox is the best way to stow all your kit. Westin stocks a full range of toolboxes. With shapes and styles to fit just about any vehicle. And when you aren’t off-roading, it’s a great place to store valuables you don’t want to leave in the cab.
Next-Level Gear
Now, let’s talk about the next step-up. This is the gear that makes you the off-roader that saves the day. You may not use these 3 items often, but when you do need them, nothing else will suffice.
1. Winches
If you plan to get just one item from this list, make it a winch. It is arguably the most important piece of recovery gear you can get for your truck or Jeep. Westin has a full range of winches for all types of vehicles. We also sell winch compatible bumpers.
They allow you to try harder trails or venture out solo with the confidence that you can winch yourself out of a tough spot if needed. And, unlike a strap, you don’t need another vehicle to pull you free.
2. High-Lift Jack
A high-lift jack, or farm jack, is a versatile tool that can be used for lifting your vehicle or levering objects. It’s a great tool for lifting a wheel to place debris or a traction mat under it. If the ground is soggy or muddy, you may need to place something solid under the jack first.
You can also use it to change tires or dislodge your vehicle if it gets stuck on a rock. Make sure your jack is rated to take the weight of your vehicle.
3. Tire Repair Equipment
Sharp stones, rocks, and other hazardous objects can damage your tires. A basic tire repair kit will allow you to patch up your tire until you get back to civilization.
You’ll also want a tire inflation and deflation kit. Aside from reinflating repaired tires, it’s extremely useful to change tire pressures while out on a trail. For example, under-inflated tires cope far better over soft sand, and provide a better ride.
Off-Road Equipment That’s Engineered For Enthusiasts
Westin Automotive has been an industry-leading manufacturer of quality automotive aftermarket products for over 40 years. We supply quality off-road equipment for Trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. Our extensive range includes bumpers, winches, winch mounts, and much more.
We offer a comprehensive warranty for added peace of mind. Get in touch with Westin Automotive and get the best off-roading equipment at a great price.
