Recovery Techniques

Safety is the number one priority when it comes to recovery. Let’s be clear, if you explore off-road often, getting stuck is going to happen. It’s part of the adventure.

When done right, recovery isn’t a failure, it’s a chance to test your skill and come out stronger. But it takes more than a guess. Learn from experienced off-roaders, and if you can, take a training session. That knowledge could keep you safe, and off those internet blooper reels.

Your recovery approach will depend on where and how you’re stuck. From deep snow to muddy bogs, the right tools and techniques vary. But the truth is this: good gear is important, but knowing how to use it is what gets you home.

• Strap and Rope Recovery

• Winching 101

• Recovery Tools

• Recovery Watch-Outs

When your rig gets stuck, self-recovery should always be your first move. That might mean digging out your tires, letting some air out, or using a winch. These are the safest recovery options. Only bring in another vehicle if all other attempts fail.

Pulling a vehicle free with a strap or rope has been around since off-roading began. It’s simple and fast, perfect for urgent situations, like getting caught on a beach with the tide coming in.

But while it may look easy, strap recovery comes with real risks. Knowing the gear and using it properly can be the difference between a clean recovery and a dangerous mistake.

The two most common types of gear for this technique are recovery straps and kinetic recovery ropes.

Recovery Technique

Step 1: Align the mobile recovery vehicle directly behind or in front of the stuck vehicle. The straighter the line, the safer the pull. Leave about 1 meter (roughly 3 feet) of slack in the strap or rope.

Step 2: Use a D-ring to attach the strap securely to both vehicles’ recovery points.

Step 3: Drape a recovery dampener or heavy cloth over the rope to reduce risk in case of failure.

Step 4: Slowly pull forward to remove slack and apply steady, even pressure. Avoid jerky movement.

Step 5: If the first pull doesn’t work, try again with slightly more slack. This increases the rope’s kinetic energy. The recovery vehicle may also gently increase speed if it’s safe to do so.

Caution

NEVER connect two ropes or straps with a metal shackle. If it snaps under tension, it becomes a deadly projectile.

NEVER step over a live recovery strap. If the tension shifts, it can catch you or cause serious injury.

DO NOT subject your recovery points to off-angle or side loads. Keep pulls straight.

DO NOT attach straps to tow balls or standard bumper hitches. These are not recovery-rated and can shear off.

DO NOT use this method for a vehicle completely buried in mud, it's time to bring out the winch.

You gave it your best shot, but you’re well and truly stuck. You tried rocking out, maybe even used traction boards, but nothing’s working. Fortunately, where there’s a winch, there’s a way.

A winch is one of the most essential recovery tools for Canadian off-roaders. Whether you're stuck in a snowdrift or buried in spring mud, a winch can save you from a long and frustrating walk out.

Safe winching doesn’t happen by guesswork. It requires technique and the right gear. Investing in a complete winch kit will give you all the accessories you need to recover safely.

Before you fire it up, go over the fundamentals. Proper setup and smart decisions make the difference between a smooth recovery, and a risky one.

Key Equipment

Single-Line Recovery

Single-line or self-recovery is one of the most essential winching techniques. It uses an anchor point to pull your vehicle out when all other recovery options have failed.

Step 1: Choose a sturdy anchor such as a large rock, a solid tree, or another vehicle. When using a tree, always use a strap or tree protector, never wrap the cable directly around the trunk or hook the line to itself. This avoids damage to the environment and your gear.

Step 2: Ensure the anchor is close enough so that your winch keeps at least 4 to 5 wraps of line on the drum. Too few wraps can cause the line to slip or come off completely, which could leave you stranded.

Step 3: Put on gloves, extend the winch line, and attach it to the anchor strap using a bow shackle. The hook should be oriented with the open side facing up to properly seat the load.

Step 4: Drape a line dampener over the cable to reduce the risk if the line snaps under tension. If you don’t have a dedicated dampener, a coat, blanket, or floor mat will work.

Step 5: The safest place to operate the winch is from the driver’s seat. Run the winch controller through the window so you can assist the pull with light throttle as needed.

Step 6: Keep an eye on how the cable is spooling. Stop the winch if the motor starts overheating and check that the line is feeding smoothly onto the drum.

Step 7: Anyone not directly involved in the recovery should stand clear. Stay farther away than the full length of the winch cable to avoid danger if something goes wrong.

Double-Line Recovery

There are times when your anchor is too close, or your winch simply doesn’t have the torque needed to get you free. That’s when a double-line recovery becomes the smart move.

Instead of attaching your winch line directly to a tree strap or anchor, run the line through a snatch block and back to your vehicle’s tow point. This setup effectively doubles the pulling power of your winch and reduces the amount of effort required, making recovery quicker and less stressful on your gear.

Synthetic rope has become the go-to for off-road winching. It’s lighter, easier to handle, and significantly safer than wire rope, though it does require protection from chafing and sharp edges.

Off-road recovery isn’t the place to cut corners. One bad decision can damage your gear, or worse, hurt someone. These are mistakes you should never make:

Winch Recovery – What Not to Do

These are hard rules, not suggestions. Breaking any of these can lead to serious damage or injury.

Do not winch without gloves.

Do not stand next to or straddle the winch cable.

Do not jerk the winch line or use it like a snatch strap.

Do not drive over your winch cable, ever.

Do not hook a strap or shackle directly onto the winch cable.

Do not wrap a tree directly with a winch line, always use a tree strap.

Do not wrap a tree strap high up the trunk, always close to the base.

Do not winch without a line dampener in place.

Do not run synthetic rope over sharp or jagged rocks.

Do not apply side loads to your recovery points.

Do not winch at an angle, it creates unsafe load tension.

Rope Recovery – What Not to Do

When using straps or kinetic recovery ropes, these rules are non-negotiable.

Do not use a rope or strap in place of a winch line.

Do not step over a connected strap or rope.

Do not join two straps or ropes with a metal shackle.

Do not attach a strap to a ball or bumper tow hitch.

Do not use a strap that is frayed, cut, or worn out.

Do not pull from non-rated recovery points.

Do not use a strap recovery on a vehicle that’s completely buried in mud, it’s winch time.