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HOW TO MASTER WHEEL RUTS
Q Many of the trails in my part of
the world get very rutted, especially in wet weather, and I have sometimes
become quite seriously stuck. What sort of procedures should I be following to
minimize the difficulties?
A
Firstly, you should consider whether you really ought to be driving badly
worn trails in conditions which can only add to the damage. That said, deep ruts
can be encountered almost anywhere at any time, and can become major hazards;
avoid them if at all possible by straddling them. The principal escape
techniques are:
 | Use a
shovel to dig away the sides of the ruts, forming an escape ramp for the
front wheels, which the rear wheels should then follow. Dig the sides of the
ruts well away, making a definite ramp at least as wide as the wheels; use
the spoil to fill in the ruts beside the ramp, thereby adding to the
effectiveness of the ‘escape route |
| Winch
yourself out by attaching a strop to a convenient anchor point on one side
of the track. Use as long a pull as you can and remember that, unless the
angle is fairly acute, you’ll probably only succeed in pulling yourself
further along the ruts. |
| If
you have attachments for a high-lift jack, lift the front of the vehicle so
the wheels are clear of the ruts then, with everyone well clear, pus hard to
one side; this will push the vehicle over the jack’s center of gravity and
it should land with the front wheels clear of the ruts. If necessary, repeat
with the rear. |
| This
is a bit extreme, but it can work. Attach a tow rope to the front of the
vehicle and get a colleague to wrap the other end around the base of a tree,
as low down as possible. Drive slowly forwards so that the front wheel
passes over the rope; using the steering and the sideways pull of the rope,
the Land Rover should drag itself our of the rut.
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