When it comes to caravanning, everything seems rosy until it all goes wrong. If you manage to get your van and/or your towing vehicle bogged down or stuck halfway up the track, you need to know how to recover them or you could have a serious problem on your hands.

The first bit of advice is always take an accredited 4WD training and towing course before taking on any big trip, but here are a few other things you should know as well.

Carry recovery gear

It’s a no-brainer, but having the right gear is essential, no matter where you’re headed. Make sure you can easily get to it as well so there’s no fluffing about. And most importantly, make sure everything is secure before you attempt to tow yourself out of a ditch.

Know your limits

Being over-confident can get you in a lot of trouble when it comes to towing off-road. Realise that you have limits, both in terms of skill and weight, and don’t venture beyond them.

Keep an eye on the weather, too. A big downpour could make the conditions hazardous.

Try a shovel or traction aid

If you’re stuck in the sand or soft ground, a shovel or traction aid might do the trick. Clear a path in front of the wheels and scoop the sand from underneath the caravan, if necessary.

Winches and snatch straps

Winches and snatch straps can be a god send but they can also be dangerous in inexperienced hands. If you’ve never used them before, get some training under your belt with a 4WD course.

Loaded-rated recovery points and shackles

When attaching recovery gear to your vehicle and caravan, use only designated and rated recovery points or hooks.

Shackles rated to the conditions are essential when you’re attaching snatch straps. A rating of 3.5t is usually sufficient.

Separate recoveries

In some cases, you might have to separate your vehicle from your van and recover the two separately.  

Always try and recover from the A-frame or chassis, not the tie down rails because they’re not rated for the entire weight of the van.

Incline recoveries

If you get stuck halfway up a hill, the first thing you want to avoid is rolling back in a freefall. If you can’t reverse safely, secure your vehicle to a tree using a winch or extension strap and/or stock the back wheels up with rocks or logs.

If you’re comfortable with it, the stall recovery technique is another option.

Pat Callinan explains how to do it right in the video below.

A few more tips

• The driver of the stricken vehicle should always call the shots
• All bystanders should be well out of the way when using a snatch strap in case something goes wrong
• Traction aids work best at a 30-degree angle
• Always carry recovery gear, even if you don’t know how to use it. The next person along might be able to help you
• Use walkie-talkies to communicate during the recovery

This article was originally featured on withoutahitch.com.au