Stuck caravan on a sand dune - how to recover!

[@michaeldallimore8590]

Never thought of driving back onto the traction boards. Useful tip thanks.

[@L2SFBC]

It's a very useful trick...if you can't make it up a dune in one go despite lots of #sendit, then that'll get you to the top, just takes time and patience.

[@ChristianJamesK]

Great videos on sand driving. I'll be towing a Forbes 13+ on sand so this information gives me a great headstart. Another good one!

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks - the main sand one is this kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZCwlXRopbFnZ6M

[@KevinHeadlam-Tasmania]

Good information Robert Now my 2 bobs worth - Endeavour to keep maximum ground clearance under the vehicle (including the Van/Trailer) - To this end minimise the sand bulldozing effect of each tyre - an old carpet is of great assistance also -Winching - a well installed sand anchor is fantastic in this instance and has minimal environmental impact

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, you'll notice I never bogged it deeply, always gave up early! As for winching, I have found sand anchors to be ineffective, but retain an open mind...

[@MiniLuv-1984]

The carpet idea sounds like a good one. I suppose a length of carpet 300mm wide? Would you use it in conjunction with maxtrax or on its own...total newbie here, so excuse my ignorant questions.

[@79VALHAL]

Great and informative vid as usual. Thank you.. and yeah, patience and patience is key… and agree, multiple sets of Maxtrax preferable. Worst recovery we did in a group we used 14 I think… ;)

[@L2SFBC]

Fourteen has to be a record!!!

[@johnpaine7609]

Thanks

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks for the SuperThanks John, that's my first for this video and second-ever!

[@cmarico]

Track to number two rocks I think. Beautiful area, was there in January. That dune is a doozy, caught plenty out when we were there.

[@L2SFBC]

Correct, that's the track. It is easy without a trailer...shouldn't cause anyone problems at the right pressure, and there's a beach bypass if you really need it.

[@ian9toes]

I recently did something similar just as an exercise. It was a short steep dune with no run up due to the very square edged entrance. I was on 20 PSI and figured Maxtrax were quicker than airing down and back up again. Plus I wanted to test my theory, which I’ve never seen anyone do. My technique was to back down slightly from the bogged position, just enough to get out of the hole, without any boards behind. Then I was able to shove the boards in front without any digging . It worked a treat and I personally believe it worked better than the technique being shown here.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks, good info. I have used the same technique, and in fact it works without Maxtrax, I'll do a video on it in a while. Last time I used it was with a trailer on the back. It did not work in this situation shown as the car immediately bogged.

[@7kyro]

Nice video as always. 6:34 I would be interested in seeing you review some ground anchors to winch off of. Redrock 4x4 makes a great one. “Deadman off-road” has been featured for sand recovery in AUS and can even be used as a tree saver. Firemen also use a technique for low angle rescues using 3 stakes in a line placed in the ground pretensioned together with tubular webbing.

[@L2SFBC]

Not had great experience with sand anchors but retain an open mind...

[@JonCianci12]

Great vid! We have a disco and love it.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Some suggest you should also put traction boards under the caravan wheels. Should carry a pair of boards per axle.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, I usually carry 8, but not that time.

[@nickjennings8317]

Hi Robert, another very informative video, many thanks.

[@L2SFBC]

Very welcome

[@robertheuzinkveld8549]

Brilliant buddy. I take my hat off

[@L2SFBC]

Thank you...please share 👍

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Last resort tactics - very good info, thanks Robert. I wonder if longer tracks would help. It seems to me they could make them longer without having to make them any thicker since the pressure area will remain the same regardless how long they are. The extra length will make for shorter recoveries but yet, no one makes them.

[@L2SFBC]

I think the length of Maxtrax is perfect. Yes, longer tracks would be better when actually recovering...at the front of the vehicle. Any longer and it'd be difficult to fit them ahead of the rear wheel and behind the front wheel. Also, physically carrying them and storing them is easy at the current length. So I think the answer is carry 6 if you want more, or more likely, spread them around a group.

[@johnleaste828]

Maxtrax are made to exactly that length in other to fit on a standard pallet. First version was sightly longer but freight to the retailer was an issue.

[@L2SFBC]

That is what the founder said when I interviewed him - the video is on my channel!

[@veryaware]

Nice and practical. In roughly the same conditions have you tried: back onto the boards at the rear, and then second pair of tracks infront of the rear wheels only? I suspect with the trailer hitch weight and stuff in the tray, the weight at back, with relatively light front may have been okay to get a longer movement this way. Obviously, if it fails reverting to the demonstrated last resort method. PS. I bought my second pair of tracks after being run off the inland sand track on Bribie (extremely fast car came around a corner and I swerved to the outside of a very soft corner with trailer and was very bogged). The jeep driver didn't stop and it took me about half an hour to get back onto the track. So yes agree having four is good if towing it really doesn't take much more space than two. Anyhow, love your work as always - thanks.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, I've tried every combination I can think of over the years. Each has their place...the point is to make people consider something other than tracks-in-front-drive-on.

[@Nonunsnone]

Thank you for this video.

[@nickjennings8317]

I don’t have any experience of use of traction mats but gather that The Max Trax or ARB Treds are the best options, What would be your choice of Brands?

[@L2SFBC]

Maxtrax or the later TREDs. Not used the others but any name brand should be fine. DO NOT BUY THE CHEAP ONES!!!!!!!!!!

[@nickjennings8317]

Thanks, I have traded a couple of pairs of Max Traxs recently, they are very good quality. Also just obtained The Indeflate , looks like the business too.

[@chrisgrenzner9337]

Ronny Dahl - 4 Wheeling Australia, did a comparison on traction boards that you might find interesting.

[@rich9903]

Hi Robert. What would you suggest as the best technique if there was a long line of (very frustrated) campers lined up behind you as well as the same for oncoming traffic (ala Ngkala Rocks Fraser Is)? I doubt that all drivers will be as patient and forgiving with one using this technique especially if a caravan was involved 🙃 That said, in the greatest of Aussie traditions, most people would probably lend a hand in the circumstances 🤙

[@L2SFBC]

First off I wouldn't tow in a crowded, narrow area if at all possible, or do anything else to impede others eg filiming or driver training. In this case, nobody was around whole evening and only saw 3 cars the whole weekend - I'm familar with that area and it's never been busy offpeak, even peak isn't too bad. But if you had to do a quick recovery then using others is good. There is also a beach bypass which I decided not to take but others could. So, no inconvience for anyone else. The technique is really a last resort.

[@alexdevries7594]

Best technique for crowded beach? Ask for help. Hands down the best. Another vehicle to assist in the situation shown above would have it done far more quickly. But what Robert has shown above is how you can do it if there isn’t anyone else around.

[@juanmiguel8120]

Yeah people will be backed up to ya faster than you can ask to get ya outta everyone’s way plus what he said don’t be a numpty an attempt it where it’s busy

[@L2SFBC]

That's the thing if it was busy you'd have help and be on your way not needing the technique. If it wasn't busy nobody to inconvenience and you'd need it.

[@bernburn11]

@@L2SFBC Great info with real footage. thank you. So if there was no way for the vehicles stacking up behind you to get around and supply a winch point, how could the gathering crowd help. Women and children laid in front of the tack mats could provide further traction, but.... But seriously, it's a genuine question.

[@chikowhitey]

thanks mate....great vid

[@L2SFBC]

Glad you enjoyed it please share!

[@Malc664]

What if you had put all four traction boards at the rear wheels? Maybe go a bit further Idk.

[@L2SFBC]

Tried that didn't work, but it is nevertheless a technique to try in different conditions with a different car. It has worked other times. Usualy though one board per tyre is best.

[@Ozjourney]

Would be interested to put 2 boards on each rear wheel, forward and back of the tyre, given the weight on the rear axle

[@L2SFBC]

That didn't work that time!

[@Ozjourney]

@@L2SFBC thats's good to know

[@L2SFBC]

I wouldn't rule it out. Always always keep an open mind, but, conversely, don't persist with a method that isn't working. It's hard to do that in the heat of the moment. I might do something on the psychology of recovery.

[@technopsychobedlam]

Not dragging a caravan through these kinds of areas would save the problem entirely. I am seeing signs increasingly telling people not to drag caravans through dunes...cos, you know, its not a great idea. Just because its possible doesn't mean you should

[@L2SFBC]

Trailers are allowed, and I didn't cause anyone any trouble so it worked. But yes your wider point I agree with.

[@joegoedhart1259]

Unless its a boat. Good on you

[@wokbok43]

Piss off hero

[@Sea1fly]

Tire pressure lowered to?

[@L2SFBC]

covered in the video - I can't recall exactly but lowered them further and still didn't work, hence the ramps

[@joegoedhart1259]

Do not lower the trailer tyres. Ask any bricklayer that has pushed a brick barrow or wheelbarrow full of mud on a WA building site. Less pressure means more drag. We always had our barrow tyres pumped hard. They were heaps easier to push over the sand.

[@peterbussau9775]

​@@joegoedhart1259 incorrect, you definitely lower trailer tyre pressures in soft sand

[@ab7406]

Winch anchor or waste hours moving boards.

[@L2SFBC]

sadly, winch anchors are hard to find in sand

[@ab7406]

? Winch cable attached to find, the old years we buried the spare to get up a sand track with tinny and under powered 4x4

[@Emm-e1k]

UK pebble beaches are much more tricky!

[@L2SFBC]

I'd suggest not...the finer the sand, the harder the going

[@Emm-e1k]

@@L2SFBC the pebbles are harder mate trust me. Imagine wet marbles that are 6' deep. The slightest wheelspin, results in sinking up to the Dana axle. I did this at Weybourne beach in North Norfolk. Check it on Google maps images. The tide was coming in and it was an unforgettable incident. This was in a 1964 Land Rover with a rear traction aid too (Taiwan Trutrack) The method that saved the day was some digging out and, very gentle driving backwards and then gently forward and out. It was up to the tree sliders and the transfer box in the end. It's like very heavy quicksand. I like the videos a lot and I am subscribed. Thanks for the response

[@Emm-e1k]

P.s. the pebbles are rounded flint.