Recovery gear for sand/beach driving

[Dral97]

I'm heading to Outer Banks/Hatteras this summer and making the drive in my Bronco. I'm going to find some time to drive on the beach toward Hatteras.

I need to get some recovery gear, both for safety and because they require it (as they do elsewhere I could see myself going, like Assateague). Did a search here first, but nothing really came up.

Anyone have any recommendations on recovery kits that would work for beach/sand driving? I was looking at the voodoo kit, but it doesn't have everything I would need. Am I better off just getting everything separate and throwing it in a duffel in the back?

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[SubmarineNuke]

I need to get some recovery gear, both for safety and because they require it (as they do elsewhere I could see myself going, like Assateague). Did a search here first, but nothing really came up.

who's "they" and if they're requiring anything, don't "they" have a list of the required items to give you a start? I'm confused as to what you are asking. If someone is telling you they require a recovery kit, but not telling what needs to be in said kit, then a shovel counts as a kit right?

 

[Beachin 74]

A board heavy enough to be a support for the jack, a good shovel, low pressure tire gauge, and a snatch strap. On board air compressor and a first aid kit doesn't hurt.

 

[Dral97]

A board heavy enough to be a support for the jack, a good shovel, low pressure tire gauge, and a snatch strap. On board air compressor and a first aid kit doesn't hurt.

That's pretty much what's on the list.

Any all in one kit works (my main question)? If not, I'll just get the things separately.

I'm guessing either below link or just some plywood would work ok for a jack support?

https://www.amazon.com/Garfatol-Bui...TnsDbhQMVFk5HAR0z3A_9EAQYBSABEgL5yfD_BwE&th=1


These are 'they':
https://www.outerbanks.org/plan-your-trip/beaches/driving-on-the-beach/

https://www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/osv.htm

My question is whether anyone has ever seen/found an all in one type kit I could get or whether I should just get the components separately.

I'm finding some gauges and certain kits bundled with a tire repair kit. Is a tire repair kit worth it or fairly unnecessary?

 

[Rumbloki]

If you have a winch

https://www.extremeterrain.com/redrock-4x4-ground-anchor-12000-lb-capacity.html?utm_content=AT Winches - Accessories|RedRock

 

[Desert_Brush]

That's pretty much what's on the list.

Any all in one kit works (my main question)? If not, I'll just get the things separately.

I'm guessing either below link or just some plywood would work ok for a jack support?

https://www.amazon.com/Garfatol-Bui...TnsDbhQMVFk5HAR0z3A_9EAQYBSABEgL5yfD_BwE&th=1


These are 'they':
https://www.outerbanks.org/plan-your-trip/beaches/driving-on-the-beach/

https://www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/osv.htm

My question is whether anyone has ever seen/found an all in one type kit I could get or whether I should just get the components separately.

I doubt you'll find everything in a kit, but I've been wrong before. I personally just got everything separate. The only thing I would add that's probably not necessary is a recovery board for if a wheel gets stuck in very soft sand. Worst case scenario without one you can always lift that side of the vehicle up with a jack and fill the hole with sand and drive out or someone can pull you out with a kinetic recovery rope. I have yet to get stuck in sand (with/without deflating tires, 33"s, and open diffs) so I wouldn't sweat it with your First Edition. Just stay away from the shoreline as you don't want to be the person that had their Bronco claimed by the sea.

 

[Dral97]

If you have a winch

https://www.extremeterrain.com/redrock-4x4-ground-anchor-12000-lb-capacity.html?utm_content=AT Winches - Accessories|RedRock

That is interesting. I've been kicking around the idea of a winch since there are a few off road areas near me and I wanted to start checking them out.

 

[cr117]

Lowered tire pressure and a shovel (doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something to move sand) will get you out of 90% of the situations on a beach. If you're really concerned, a recovery rope should do the trick for the remaining 10%. If there are other motorists around, one of them is bound to have at least a tow rope in their rig, so it's not even completely necessary for you to carry one.

I've been driving dunes/beaches for years. You'd be surprised how much dropping the tire pressure will make a difference. If you start going into the stand and the wheels begin spinning, stop trying to go forward. The last thing you want to do is get high centered. Chances are your tire pressure is still too high. If you do bury all the tires, that's when the shovel is your best friend.

The only time I've ever needed to use anything more than a shovel in the sand is when someone's down in a ditch or has gone off the trail and can't make it back up to a more level surface. Just be smart about choosing your lines and you'll be fine.

 

[Beachin 74]

I'm guessing either below link or just some plywood would work ok for a jack support?

A piece of 3/4" plywood or a 2x10 about 15" long.
I like to choose something that's dual purpose, something that will work cutting bait on also.

 

[voxel]

For sand? Traction board probably.

https://www.rhinousainc.com/products/recovery-traction-boards

Maybe kinetic rope, soft shackles, etc. if there is another 4x4 wheeling with you or you expect another car could pull you out.

Tire deflator and battery powered air compressor would be handy too.

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB505-E-Z-Deflator-Orange/dp/B004LQCDOA/

 

[RobWTX]

If you have a winch

https://www.extremeterrain.com/redrock-4x4-ground-anchor-12000-lb-capacity.html?utm_content=AT Winches - Accessories|RedRock

That, or a Pull Pal, little more $$$ tho.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I'm heading to Outer Banks/Hatteras this summer and making the drive in my Bronco. I'm going to find some time to drive on the beach toward Hatteras.

I need to get some recovery gear, both for safety and because they require it (as they do elsewhere I could see myself going, like Assateague). Did a search here first, but nothing really came up.

Anyone have any recommendations on recovery kits that would work for beach/sand driving? I was looking at the voodoo kit, but it doesn't have everything I would need. Am I better off just getting everything separate and throwing it in a duffel in the back?

Welcome to my world. Being from Long Island we spend every year driving on the beach to surf fish.

So here is my go to list

TIRE DEFLATORS
You want to deflate your tires when driving on sand. 50% is the rule of thumb or 18PSI. The Staun Tire Deflators are the best. I've had my own set 18+ years now which is why we started to sell them. The staun are adjustable as well from 6PSI to 30PSI but come pre-set to 18 PSI
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/staun-tire-deflator-4-pack-standard-duty-6-30-psi/

AIR COMPRESSOR
Well you aired down, time to air up. You can go with a multitude of compressors from the small Milwaukee kind to the on-board air systems from ARB. The small compressors will eventually air up but can take upwards of 5 minutes PER tire. The well known portable ones from ViAIR and ARB will shorten this to 1-3 minutes a tire. The onboard system from ARB does each tire in 60 seconds or less. We have a complete bolt-on kit with our KR Off-Road Mount and an ARB Compressor here
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/kr-off-road-air-compressor-engine-bay-kit-for-2021-ford-bronco/

The twin is the best but if you want to save money and get something portable, I recommend the ViAIR 450P.

https://www.4x4truckleds.com/viair-450p-automatic-portable-compressor-silver/

SHOVEL
We don't sell them, but make sure you have a shovel. I keep a small fold up one. It'll be good to help undig a tire if you get stuck

TRACTION BOARDS
These serve two purposes. One, it acts as a jack stand. Jacks don't work that well in sand so you put a traction board under your jack to act as a base. But 2nd, it'll help you get out of a tough spot. You can use a full length tracation board as a shovel actually but what you do is you undig the tire a bit and WEDGE the board in front of the tire. Then you drive over it. It gives you traction. On the Broncos we actually recommend a fold up style if you don't have the room for the full size ones. They fold up and hide nicely under the seat or behind it. That's what we carry on our rig

The GoTreads are the small unfolding kind and the MAXTrax are the full size ones: https://www.4x4truckleds.com/truck-accessories/recovery-gear/

SNATCH STRAP
Important ot have for sand use/off-road use. It'll SNAP you out of a tricky spot. SNATCH STRAPS are used when the vehicle in front of you gets a BIT of a running start (not like 20mph but maybe 5mph or so). The force will SNATCH you out. DO NOT use a regualar rope/recovery strap in the same way, SNATCH STRAPS are designed to flex. We sell them alone or as part of a kit
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/arb-weekender-recovery-kit/

JACK
You have a jack on your rig and when used with a board it might do the job. BUT if you want a GOOD off-road jack, the ARB JACK is the way to go. Small/portable and will get you out of a jam.
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/arb-hydraulic-jack/

Optional base for the JACK: https://www.4x4truckleds.com/arb-hydraulic-jack-base/

SHACKLES
Good to have as you use them to tie off a rope/strap to
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/maxtrax-core-shackle/

Those are the basics and what we keep on our rig at all times on the beach.

 

[Aonarch]

For a simple setup:
-Air gauge/ deflator
- Air pump
- Shovel

People get stuck in sand and forget/ don't know to air down.

 

[CalvinT]

JACK
You have a jack on your rig and when used with a board it might do the job. BUT if you want a GOOD off-road jack, the ARB JACK is the way to go. Small/portable and will get you out of a jam.
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/arb-hydraulic-jack/

Optional base for the JACK: https://www.4x4truckleds.com/arb-hydraulic-jack-base/

The Bronco doesn't have much in the way of jacking points for the ARB or a farm jack. Need to get a sling so you can use it to lift a wheel.

 

[SeaVee]

So, been going down there for my whole life, and seen it all. 1st- get the permit for NPS. 2nd - 15 to 18 PSI on your tires. My Bronco does fine at 20 PSI, my 2500 Surburan needs about 18. Get a shovel. Turn your traction control off. Never speed or draw attention to yourself, the Rangers are pretty cool unless you are a menace. Lots of air up spots at every gas station so no need for a compressor. Never go below the low tide line. Stay away from any red sand. We usually air down and don’t air back up until we leave so we drive back-and-forth between the villages with our tires aired down and it’s no problem. It’s a pain in the ass to air them up and air them down every time you want to get on the beach, it’s God‘s country, enjoy it’s beautiful . No one checks your vehicle to see if you have a retrieval kit, they only bother you when you’re doing something wrong.

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