Let us set the scene, you and your mates are cruising along a tough section of track in convoy, everyone is having a laugh and enjoying the thrill and challenge of some offroad articulations. All of a sudden out of nowhere, the crew gets confronted with a deep mud puddle that runs for approximately 100m ahead, you are nearing the end of a long day driving and turning around certainly isn’t an option. You cannot identify a good chicken track around the obstacle and the bush is dense eucalypt forest on all sides one of the vehicles hasn’t been fitted with a snorkel and you aren’t sure where to begin.

This may sound like a nightmare to some, and an awesome challenge for others – let us walk through the steps you might want to take in a similar situation to ensure everyone makes it to the other side without damage to engines, injuries and getting seriously stuck!

STEP 1 – ASSESS

By getting out of your vehicles, you can easily begin to asses the obstacle and get a better idea of how difficult the terrain will be to tackle. Start by finding the longest sturdy stick you can find and begin probing the mud puddle ensuring you feel the bottom, how firm it is and whether there is a high center to the ruts or anything hard at the bottom. These clues will give you a good idea of what the exact plan of action will be.

STEP 2- Communicate

It is a great idea to communicate any hidden obstacles or hazards you have observed clearly to everyone who is present, this way everyone will know what they are up against, and be able to consider what might hold their vehicle back. making it clear to others the limitation of your vehicle might give other people a good idea about how they can help you out the best!

Communication is critical through the whole obstacle and will determine if the whole group will make it through in one piece!

STEP 3 – Plan

To come up with a plan of attack you must consider all factors, in this example by weighing up what recovery gear everyone has with them, also who has the highest ground clearance, how deep the water is and if a vehicle is fitted with accessories that may get them through easier. With a clear idea you can figure out who gets to go first. The vehicles with biggest tyres most lift and snorkel fitted should tackle this particular obstacle first, it is a good idea to fit recovery straps and unspool a winch cable now before entering the water but remember to reengage your winch clutch.

After the most seafaring 4WD has entered and crossed the section of track you will probably notice that the water level has dropped, the most experienced in the group predicted this and with a few more crossings the least equipped vehicle will have a much shallower mud puddle, this doesn’t mean you are going to have an easy time generally if the people who crossed before you have aggressive tread, you will find the ruts will have become deeper and possibly have holes cut in certain sections, however with low range proper tyre pressures. You can tackle a lot more than you would think without hassle.

STEP 4 – Execution

With steady throttle, momentum (enough to create and maintain a bowwave your 4WD will either drive straight through, or possible stop dead on the tracks, there are 2 things to do if you stop forward motion. Firstly release the accelerator, secondly try and reverse out. This will mean that you have a clear path backwards to try and reattempt.

If on your second attempt you stop dead. It is time for a recovery – as mentioned earlier, an appropriate recovery should have already been on the cards, and mostly already setup. However the length of the puddle is definitely limiting.

By unwinding your winch to its fullest extent, and taking advantage of a winch extension strap you minimize the angle the winch cable exits the fairlead on the front of your vehicle minimizing bind and allowing your winch to pull you further without blockage.

A slow controlled winch recovery will be an incredible tool in a situation like this, but due to the length of the puddle may have to be attempted several times to get your 4WD out the other side.

STEP 5 – Debrief

Once on the other side, you can cheer with your mates and wait for the insults to fly about who’s vehicle could tackle it better. And for those who got help setting up their winch recoveries, using their Domin8r X winch and Hercules Complete Recovery Kit, a refreshing beverage should be offered!

When debriefing it is good practice to learn where things could be done more efficiently or safer the next time, this will mean you will come out the other side wiser as well as more confident in your 4WD and your offroad driving abilities!