Overland Recovery Hub
Your front door to all things recovery at Overland Gear Guide: free guides, the full Recovery 101 training path, field tactics, tools and curated gear that actually works off-road.
Your recovery roadmap
Whether you’re brand new to 4x4s or already leading trips, this is the cleanest path through OGG’s recovery content.
Step 1 · Learn the foundations
- Start with Off-Roading 101 and Your First Day on the Trail.
- Learn why airing down works and how traction really behaves.
- Understand least-force recovery and why “send it” is not a plan.
Step 2 · Train with structure
- Follow the full Recovery 101 course path (5 lessons).
- Use scenarios and playbooks you can replay before every trip.
- Finish with quick-ref checklists and a completion badge.
Course home: Recovery 101 – Overland Recovery
Step 3 · Gear up & refine
- Build your kit around boards, PSI, static strap, kinetic rope & winch.
- Use OGG tools (pressure calculator, gear list builder, expedition planner) to dial in loads.
- Shop only tested gear from the OGG / Trailblazer lists.
See gear below or visit the Trailblazer Recovery Store.
Recovery 101 – your structured recovery course
The hub gives you the big picture. The Recovery 101 course walks you step-by-step from “stuck and stressed” to calm, repeatable self-recoveries.
What you’ll learn
- A simple least-force framework for every recovery.
- How load, mass and angles work (without needing a physics degree).
- Gear selection and ratings that match your rig & travel style.
- How to plan recovery-friendly routes and campsite choices.
- Hand signals, perimeter control and “stop the show” rules.
Who it’s for
- Weekend warriors who don’t want to bend metal learning lessons.
- Trip leaders who need a shared language for recoveries.
- New overlanders upgrading from “snatch strap and hope”.
- Anyone who wants a calm, methodical way to get unstuck.
Recovery 101 course lessons
Five focused lessons you can complete in one sitting, then practice in a safe environment before heading somewhere remote.
Recovery gear & kits (what to use and when)
Build a sensible, recovery-first kit instead of a random social feed pile.
Traction boards
Safest, fastest for sand/snow/mud. Seat cleats into the lugs and feather throttle.
Static strap
Controlled, low-stretch pulls on firmer ground. Straight lines, slow tension.
Kinetic rope
Elastic stretch (~15–30%) adds momentum in sand/mud. Advanced. Wider perimeter.
Theory + practice: Kinetic Recovery, Debunked
Tree saver & dampener
Anchor protection + recoil mitigation for winching. Wrap low, keep angles tidy.
Rated shackles & points
Use only chassis-mounted points. Match WLL to vehicle mass and method.
PSI kit
Gauge + deflator + compressor. Air down for grip; air up before highway.
Tyre pressure science: Tyre Anatomy & Pressure Guide
Featured recovery guides
Use these guides like a mini syllabus. Each one deep-dives a specific terrain, hazard or decision.
Driving & traction
Tools & calculators
OGG tools turn theory into quick, on-trail decisions you can make in under a minute.
Tyre Pressure Calculator
Dial in safe starting pressures based on weight, tyre size and surface. Perfect for setting a baseline before you hit sand, snow or rock.
Gear List Builder
Build a recovery-ready gear list that matches your vehicle, routes and group – not just a random checklist.
Overland Expedition Planner
Map trips with realistic distances, surface changes and fuel margins so you’re less likely to attempt desperate recoveries when tired.
Field tactics: from STUCK to rolling again
A quick on-page refresher of the core playbooks from Recovery 101 and the recovery guides.
Recovery basics (mindset first)
- Stop. Assess. Do not spin. Read terrain; choose least-force first.
- Clear the danger zone. Everyone out of line-of-fire; assign a spotter.
- Rated gear only. Chassis-mounted points, shackles/ropes with visible ratings.
- Communicate. Agree on hand signals and stop-words before any pull.
New to 4×4? Start with Off-Roading 101 then Your First Day on the Trail.
STUCK: a 30-second assessment
| Step | What to check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Situation | What trapped you (sand, mud, snow, belly/diff-hung)? | Pick the lowest-force remedy for that surface. |
| Traction | Tread packed? Tires floating or digging? | Dig to lugs; seat boards; lower PSI gradually. |
| Underbody | Frame/diffs grounded? High-centered? | Shovel ramps; relieve drag; consider a gentle lift. |
| Clearance | Approach/exit angle; obstacles ahead? | Re-line; clear obstacles; use a spotter. |
| Kit | Boards, strap, shackles, kinetic rope, winch? | Boards → Static → Kinetic → Winch. Escalate slowly. |
Sand deep-dive: Dune Dominator • Mud: Mud Bogging 101
Airing-down & PSI (quick ranges)
| Surface | Typical PSI* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sand | 12–18 PSI | Go lower for soft dunes; slow speeds; gentle steering. |
| Snow | 15–22 PSI | Lower as needed; avoid spinning on ice. |
| Mud | 15–22 PSI | Keep tread clear; steady throttle. |
| Rocky/Trail | 18–26 PSI | Protect sidewalls; careful line choice. |
Depends on weight, tyre size, wheel width and load. Reinflate before highway speeds. See OGG Tyre Pressure Calculator and Traction basics.
Winch 101 & safety zones
- Single-line: Fast setup to a suitable anchor (tree saver + shackle). Keep layers low on drum; straight line when possible.
- Double-line: Snatch block doubles pull, halves line speed. Watch angles and WLL; repack the drum if it stacks.
- Perimeters: Static pull ≈ 1.5× strap length clear; kinetic ≈ 2× rope length; bystanders behind A-pillars or well clear.
- Signals: Ready (thumb up), Stop (palms out), Steer (point + small circle).
Overland Recovery Hub – FAQ
Where should I start if I’m brand new?
Start with Off-Roading 101, then read the traction guide, then jump into Recovery 101 Lesson 1. Use this hub as your home base and bookmark it for later.
Is the hub different from the Recovery 101 course?
Yes. The hub is the front door to all recovery content – guides, tools, gear and the course. Recovery 101 is the structured learning path you’ll follow from lesson 1 to 5.
When should I use Rusty?
Any time you want something re-explained, sanity-checked or turned into a checklist. Tell Rusty which guide or lesson you’re on and what rig you drive for better answers.