Exploring nature on your ATV can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon. But when you get far out into the wilderness and you get stuck, you’ll be in a really challenging situation. If you get stuck in the mud or your quad falls into a ditch, you’ll need to have some strategies prepared so you can free yourself and save your vehicle.
As your local ATV dealer, Sky Powersports Lakeland has compiled the following tips for getting your ATV unstuck! Keep reading to learn more, and give us a call at our location in Lakeland, Florida if you have any questions. We also serve both Tampa and Orlando.
1. Use a Winch
One great way to make sure you always have a way to get out when you get stuck is to anchor a winch to your towing vehicle. Small winches attach to the front or back of your four-wheeler, and you can anchor them to a friend’s quad, a heavy tree, or another vehicle to drive or tow your ATV out of the sticky situation.
2. Pack a Come-Along and Tow Straps
A small device known as a “come-along” can also be used to haul your ATV out of a ditch. This object is essentially a hand-powered winch that will help you and a friend free your quad. Tow straps are used to anchor the come-along to your vehicle. Most come-alongs fit into a backpack, so it’s quite easy to bring it along on any and all off-roading adventures.
3. Create Your Own Anchor
Maybe you’re out in the middle of nowhere and there’s not a strong enough tree to be seen, nothing to attach your towing straps and winch to. What do you do? In this case, you’ll need to create your own anchor point to help you drive your ATV out of the mud. Many riders choose to pack a small steel rod with an eyebolt on it or a set of ice-climbing anchors to use as makeshift anchors. You should put either of these items into stable and sturdy ground, angled away from your vehicle, and hook up your towing straps to create a solid anchor.
4. Bring a Shovel
Sometimes, there is no anchor around you and you don’t have what you need to create one. In those situations, you’ll need to use a small shovel to dig out your tires to help them gain purchase on the ground and the ability to drive out of the mud. It’s a good idea to throw a small folding shovel in your backpack. Scooping some of the mud away from your wheels will help them achieve enough traction to get going again.
5. Tilt Your ATV Back and Forth
If it seems like you can’t get unstuck without the use of a winch or you simply have no other option, it’s time to use your strength to generate momentum instead of just hitting the gas and letting your wheels spin out. Try to rock the quad back and forth using your body weight, leaning into the motion to inch your vehicle forward until you can gain some purchase and get yourself out of the ditch.
We hope these tips will help you the next time you get stuck with your ATV! Nobody wants to feel stranded or unprepared, so it’s important to bring the right tools with you on every outdoor adventure. If you have any questions or you want to peruse ATVs for sale, reach out to our team at Sky Powersports Lakeland! We are located in Lakeland, Florida and are proud to serve Tampa and Orlando. Let us help you find the perfect machine for your next off-roading experience!
