Best Recovery Boards and placement for trips

[DesertRat19]

What do people recommend for recovery boards? I’m thinking mostly for deep sand but versatility matters. Also where’s the best way to haul them while on a trip.

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[Robink]

My setup. I'm in the desert so I have to carry them.

 

[NMhunter]

Have you actually had to use recovery boards? Once on the beach in Mexico with an old Chevy 2WD pulling a catamaran on a trailer, I needed them. What I had then was 6' 2x6's.

My Badlands has gone through some pretty deep sand without a hitch. I do carry a Hi-Lift Jack just in case. I have't needed it yet.

 

[DesertRat19]

Have you actually had to use recovery boards? Once on the beach in Mexico with an old Chevy 2WD pulling a catamaran on a trailer, I needed them. What I had then was 6' 2x6's.

My Badlands has gone through some pretty deep sand without a hitch. I do carry a Hi-Lift Jack just in case. I have't needed it yet.

I got stuck recently. My fault but hey, shit happens right? So I'm just thinking since so often I'm by myself on trips, I'd prefer to start hauling some recover equipment

 

[DesertRat19]

My setup. I'm in the desert so I have to carry them.

which boards did you purchase?

 

[NMhunter]

When you got stuck, did you try lowering your tire pressure? It makes a big difference in sand. I got stuck on the beach in Mexico years ago. Some 2x8 by 4' boards worked fine, but the Hi-Lift jack is what gets you on top of the boards.

 

[Me3]

When you got stuck, did you try lowering your tire pressure? It makes a big difference in sand. I got stuck on the beach in Mexico years ago. Some 2x8 by 4' boards worked fine, but the Hi-Lift jack is what gets you on top of the boards.

Have you got any more good tips for driving in sand? I live in the desert and see lots of areas where people have been driving around. I really don’t know even the basics, but want to get into it.
How much do you lower the tire pressure? Is that just good for getting unstuck or do you lower the pressure before you get offroad? Any tips welcome…. Thanks

 

[Jmuns]

Have you got any more good tips for driving in sand? I live in the desert and see lots of areas where people have been driving around. I really don’t know even the basics, but want to get into it.
How much do you lower the tire pressure? Is that just good for getting unstuck or do you lower the pressure before you get offroad? Any tips welcome…. Thanks

Air down to 15-20psi before you go off road. If the sand is hard and packed you can get away with less or not airing down at all. Buy some deflators to air down quickly and a pump to air back up when you’re done. You can get both pretty cheap.

 

[Robink]

Have you got any more good tips for driving in sand? I live in the desert and see lots of areas where people have been driving around. I really don’t know even the basics, but want to get into it.
How much do you lower the tire pressure? Is that just good for getting unstuck or do you lower the pressure before you get offroad? Any tips welcome…. Thanks

I live in southwestern Utah. I drive in lots of sand. I have to admit right off the bat I never air down my tires in sand. If the sand is that crazy deep I just don't drive through it. This is my first AWD vehicle and I have always had 4wd, some with lockers so I'm pretty knowledgeable about what I can and can't drive through. I will have to say this little Bronco does pretty well in fairly deep sand. It hasn't stranded me yet lol. But if you want to air down please invest in a pump. I always have one in my vehicle.

 

[Me3]

Thanks guys. Already have a pump. I guess some boards are in order just in case.

 

[golfmk6]

Have you got any more good tips for driving in sand? I live in the desert and see lots of areas where people have been driving around. I really don’t know even the basics, but want to get into it.
How much do you lower the tire pressure? Is that just good for getting unstuck or do you lower the pressure before you get offroad? Any tips welcome…. Thanks

I learned off roaders typically lower to 20 psi. It makes HUUUUGE difference. I was in Anzac borego in my jeep. There was this huge sandy hill. I tried low gear 4 low. I couldn’t climb this 300 foot sandy hill. My tired kept digging the sand and wouldn’t go half way up. I lowered the psi to 20 and good enough it did it! Funny enough a Hyundai Santa Cruz was stuck down where I can from and needed a tow.

 

[NMhunter]

I have a Viair pump, and it takes less time to pump up the tires than to deflate them. Lowering tire pressure makes a huge difference on rough roads too. That is another reason I like higher profile tires. My buddy's new truck came with low profile tires, and it rides much rougher than his old 15" wheels.

As long as you have the pump, make sure to carry a plug kit. In Mequite country, it is sometimes needed.

As for driving in sand, keeping momentum is critical. Never stop in the deep sand.

 

[Me3]

I have a Viair pump, and it takes less time to pump up the tires than to deflate them. Lowering tire pressure makes a huge difference on rough roads too. That is another reason I like higher profile tires. My buddy's new truck came with low profile tires, and it rides much rougher than his old 15" wheels.

As long as you have the pump, make sure to carry a plug kit. In Mequite country, it is sometimes needed.

As for driving in sand, keeping momentum is critical. Never stop in the deep sand.

ahh good advice. Thanks for that. We have a lot of plants that grow 3/4 inch nasty spikes here, and some areas with deep fine sand.

 

[Mark S.]

Be careful of speed and approach angles over obstacles when you air down. Depending on what you install, most of the A/T tires that fit the factory size do not have much sidewall protection, the aspect ratio makes for a relatively short sidewall, and the lower pressure will expose more of the sidewall to damage, making them more susceptible to pulling the tire bead away from the rim. Lower tire pressure means less tire between the ground and the rims, increasing the likelihood of damage, and also lowers your overall vehicle height, which means less ground clearance.

 

[Bill G]

Mark said it better than me, but I’d be leery of airing down too much with the lower profile tires, it may cause more problems than it cures — think I’d just stay out of the deep, soft sand. I, too, have gone off-road for years and think I’ve only aired down a couple of times — but I don’t run the dunes or rock climb, just tour the back country.

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