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Frequently Asked Questions About 4x4 Recovery Gear

What 4WD Recovery Kit Is Best For You?

Choosing the right set-up can get overwhelming at times, and If you're not sure what the best 4x4 recovery gear is right for your vehicle, then that's where some good old-fashioned Australian service comes in handy. Feel free to pick up the phone, or fire us a chat message with your questions, plus a description of your vehicle, and we'll happily layout your best 4WD recovery kit options to choose from.

Is 4x4 Recovery Gear, Vehicle Specific?

No, but you do need to find the right sized accessories for your vehicle. For example, if you purchased 4WD recovery tracks for a Jimny, they'd look very different from what you'd require for a LandCruiser. Unsure? Give us a bell, we're happy to assist.

How do you use 4WD recovery gear?

We use brands like Factor 55, Go Treads, 4WD recovery tracks, such as MAXTRAX & Saber Offroad where each brand has guidelines for correct use of their recovery equipment. We also highly recommend people to a driver training course to safely learn the correct techniques.

How thick should recovery points be?

It's not about the thickness, its about having a rated recovery point that is suited to your vehicle and its total recovery gear set up.

Can you use tie down points for recovery?

No, you need to only use rated recovery points.

Do you need two recovery points?

No. but 2 is better than 1, and 1 is better than none. Rigging you vehicle to have a forward face and rearward facing recovery point is best. Utilising a tow hitch receiver on the rear and 2x rated recovery points on the front is the most popular setup.

Do you need a 4WD recovery kit if you have a winch?

Winching is only one form of recovery and requires an anchor like a tree or another vehicle. A snatch recovery is the other form or recovery you should be prepared for depending on the environment you'll be travelling through.

What are recovery points made of?

Rated recovery points are typically made of steel and are coated to prevent corrosion. They are directly connected to a vehicles chassis (typically) and mean that when a vehicle is being recovered the forces are transferred to the chassis, not an accessories like a bull bar.

Do you need a bull bar for recovery points?

No. Many recovery points can be added to standard vehicle fronts. But this very much depends on the make and model of your vehicle.

How can I recover my 4WD without recovery points?

If the vehicle has a tow hitch, you can utilise that by putting the loop of a snatch rope or strap in and replacing the pin (never recovery off a tow ball!) for the front, if you have access to the chassis you can use a Soft Anchor Point (SAP) from Saber Offroad would be the ideal addition in your 4WD recovery kit.

Where do you put the recovery hook?

A recovery hook is sometimes used as a rated recovery point at the front or sometimes rear of the vehicle. They are bolted directly to the chassis and allow for easy snatch recover as no additional shackle is needed.

Do you need a recovery hitch?

No. If you have a tow hitch and need to be recovered backwards a soft shackle or snatch strap can be fed into the hitch, replace the pin and you're good to go. Never ever recover off a tow ball! If you don't have a tow bar but have access to the chassis you can use a Soft Anchor Point (SAP) from Saber Offroad. Keep one of these in your 4WD recovery kit.

How do I mount a recovery point?

Recovery points should only be mounted to the chassis of the vehicle using rated bolts. Also ensure you use the recommended number of bolts the manufacturer of the recovery points suggest.

What is an Equaliser strap?

An equaliser strap is a great piece of 4x4 recovery gear utilised to spread the load forces of a recover between the two front recovery points. When doing a recovery of any kind ensure the pulling force is as straight as possible.