In the latest episode of Are You RV Safe?, John and Borgy tackle the realities of RV and 4WD travel: breakdowns and recoveries. Whether it’s a mechanical failure, a flat tyre, or getting bogged in soft sand, being prepared is crucial. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the best practices for safe recoveries and efficient breakdown management on Australian roads.
If your vehicle experiences a breakdown, safety is the top priority. Always seek a location well away from traffic.
Use Hazard Lights and Safety Vests: Make sure your hazard lights are on to alert other drivers, and wear a high-visibility vest from to remain visible in poor conditions.
Monitor Your Tyres Proactively
The Volkswagen Amarok’s tyre pressure monitoring system provides an early warning of pressure loss, helping you find a safe spot to pull over. For caravans or trailers, aftermarket systems are recommended for complete monitoring.
Additional Safety Measures
When parked close to the roadside, turn your steering wheel away from the road to prevent the vehicle from moving into traffic in case of an impact.
Whenever possible, exit the vehicle and stand behind a barrier, or remain inside with seat belts fastened for maximum safety.
Emergency Kit Essentials
Carry essential items like safety triangles, vests, and communication devices such as a satellite phone or UHF radio to ensure you can call for help if needed.
Services like 24/7 Road Services Australia offer extensive coverage and roadside assistance services across the country, ensuring you have support when you need it most.
Reliable Tyres and Winches
Using high-quality tyres like BFGoodrich is crucial for off-road durability. Additionally, equipping your vehicle with winches from like ours from TJM ensures you’re ready for tricky situations.
Using Recovery Gear Correctly
Whether dealing with sand, mud, or slopes, having the right gear is crucial. For winching, always have a quality winch paired with soft shackles and rated recovery points to ensure a safe and effective recovery.
Always use a tree trunk protector to prevent damage to trees and attach winch cables securely.
Understanding Weight Ratings
Knowing your vehicle’s Gross Combination Mass (GCM) is essential for selecting appropriately rated equipment. Underestimating weight can lead to dangerous failures during recovery.
Sand Recovery
For sand recovery, recovery boards are highly effective like these from Exitrax. Clear the sand in front of each tyre, place the boards underneath, and use gentle throttle to regain momentum.
Kinetic Recovery Tips
Saber Offroad kinetic ropes offer 50% more stretch, making snatch recoveries smoother and safer. Always attach ropes to rated recovery points and never to your towball.
Safe Winch Setup
Ensure winch isolators are switched on before use, and attach dampeners to winch ropes to reduce the risk of injury if the rope snaps.
Keeping a Safe Distance
Maintain a distance of 1.5 to 2 times the length of the winch rope when standing by, and use trees as natural shields to protect yourself during the recovery process.
Breakdowns and recoveries are part of off-road adventures, but preparation makes all the difference. By following these guidelines and equipping yourself with the right gear, you can safely manage any situation that arises. Missed the episode? Catch up now on 10 Play and learn more about how to tackle your adventures safely.
Get the latest on RV road safety
