Getting bogged is a rite of passage. It doesn’t matter how built your rig is, how aggressive your tyres are, or how many roos your lightbar can blind; if you go off-road enough, you will get stuck. The good news? Getting un-bogged doesn’t have to be a panic session, or a YouTube-worthy meltdown. If you follow a logical order and keep a cool head you’ll be back on track before your mates have time to dig out the camera for “recovery content”.
So, let’s walk through it. Here’s how to get unstuck without making a mess of your vehicle, your gear, or your dignity.
Step One: Stop. Breathe. Don’t Make It Worse.
The biggest mistake people make when they feel the vehicle sinking is to give it more throttle. More noise. More wheelspin. More drama. And before you know it, the diffs are in the dirt and your tyres are polished bald from doing burnouts in a bog hole.
As soon as you lose forward momentum, stop! Hop out, have a look. Nine times out of ten, you’ll find a fix that doesn’t involve calling in backup or needing any recovery gear at all. You may simply need to slightly adjust your line, but failing that...
4x4 driving through a gulley filled with mud
Start Simple: Let The Tyres Do the Work
Before you even think about dragging your rig out with brute force, look at your tyres. Chances are, if you’re stuck in sand, mud, or snow, they’re overinflated. Dropping down to 16psi, or even 12 if you’re really sunk, will massively increase your footprint and your chances of driving out under your own steam.
Grab the shovel. Clear out around the tyres, especially in front of the front ones. Build a gentle slope so the vehicle has something to climb onto instead of fighting a vertical wall of sand or mud.
Then try driving out, nice and easy. Don’t be afraid to go backwards though. Sometimes the track you just drove in on is firmer than what’s ahead. Give the car a gentle nudge in reverse and see if it wants to help itself before you try forging on ahead.
Bring Out the Boards (Or Improvise)
If you're still stuck, it’s time to grab the Exitrax. And if you don’t have them, well, now’s a good time to get creative. Branches, old floor mats, bits of timber— anything you can jam under the tyres to give them something to bite into.
Slide the traction boards under the front of the tyres, clear a path, and gently ease onto the throttle. No wheelspin, that just melts the boards and makes you look like you’ve never done this before. This method’s especially handy when you’re solo. No snatch required, just a bit of grunt work and some mechanical sympathy.
If You’ve Got a Mate: Snatch Strap Time
Now we’re stepping it up. If you’ve tried the basic stuff and the rig’s still going nowhere, it’s time to call in a tow. A snatch strap is great for sand and mud where you need a bit of momentum to break free.
But here’s the golden rule: use rated recovery points. Never ever hook a strap to a tow ball, unless you’re looking to lose a windscreen or a life. Communicate clearly, keep the line straight, and keep people well clear in case something does let go. A snapping snatch strap is a frightening thing to be around.
A gentle first tug often does the trick. You don’t need to launch it like you’re drag racing at Willowbank, just enough to pop your rig free and let it drive the rest of the way.
man attaching a snatch strap to a vehicle
The Winch: Slow, Steady, Safe
If you’re on your own or stuck somewhere nasty—think rocky climbs, deep ruts, or clay bogs—the winch is your best friend. It’s not fast, but it’s methodical and controlled. And when set up properly, it’ll get you home when nothing else will.
Use a tree trunk protector, throw a dampener over the line, and double-line if you need more pulling power. Keep people well clear, especially if you’re using a steel cable. The winch should be your plan C, not your first move, but when it’s time, it’s worth its weight in gold.
man extending a winch wire from a bogged 4wd through a muddy area
Know When To Call It
Every now and then, despite your best efforts, nothing works. You’ve aired down, dug out, snatched, winched, cursed, maybe even prayed, and you’re still stuck. That’s when it’s time to admit defeat and make the call. Whether it’s a mate, a local recovery mob, or a local used to the tracks and with an appetite for recoveries for cash. There’s no shame in getting help.
Just make sure you’re carrying comms, enough food and water, and the kind of patience that only comes from hard-earned lessons in the bush.
Final Word
Getting bogged isn’t failure, it’s part of the adventure. There is, however, a right way to recover, and a wrong way that ends with broken gear and red faces. Work through the options from least to most aggressive. Let your tyres do the work first. Only bring out the heavy stuff when you’ve got no choice. And above all, stay calm. The bush rewards those who keep their head when their wheels are buried, because the only thing worse than getting stuck… is getting stuck with someone who loses the plot over it.
Don't let mud stop you
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