Seems a few in here have ben having fun getting their Freeo's dirty. Just interested to know what recovery gear you take when going bush or beach. I've done a bit of sand track/beach work in the landy and am doing a week to Fraser Island in September (from the 10th ... any freel2.com people planning a trip there during this time?) and have been putting together a recovery kit. So far I've got a snatch strap kit and am picking up the exhaust jack this week. I'm contemplating a set of maxtracks but at $300 I'm not sure. Of course a good long handled shovel is going as well as the army surplus folding shovel/pick (as an aside - very good at de-husking coconuts BTW).

So... What do you guys carry when getting off from the asphalt? Any recommendations/advice/tips/tricks and warnings appreciated.

Hi - I put a photo in my Gallery of me getting dirty the week before last…

I have a recovery strap, compressor, gloves and shackles etc. I tend have a 3 piece shovel too which is good when the sand gets up.

Touch wood, so far all I've needed is the shovel and the compressor!

I have a set of Staun deflators too which are awesome - they are my first tool when things get soft!

In the future I'd like to get a exhaust jack…

Thanks Liberty. The 'Staun deflators' - never heard of them. Just did a quick google but can you explain how you use them?

Do I have it right - you get four in a set, you preset them to different pressure values. When you want to set your tyres to 'X Pressure' you just get the deflator you've set to that pressure and screw it into the valve - thus releasing air until 'X pressure' is ;eft in tyre. Put valve cap on and repeat with next tyre, yes? Sound like a good idea if so.

Out of interest - what tyres do you run and what pressures do you set your tyres at for different conditions?

You got it in one.

I have my set of four set to two pressures - 2 at 18psi and 2 at 12 psi. BEst thing is you can screw them on and just walk away and not have to stay crouched down in the hot sand waiting... worth every penny. Get the genuine Staun, they aren't that expensive (a set of 4 cost me about $65)

18psi is best on sand - the 12 psi is for when things are really REALLY soft.

My Freelander has the 19inch Conti's which might seem crazy on sand but they're great. I've never had an issue on the sand, only when I was using the wrong Terrain Response setting... don't use mud/ruts on sand!

In mud I don't let the tyres down at all. On rocks I leave them at road pressures. I tend to avoid really sharp rocks etc.

I did a Land Rover Experience day (only Freelander on the course) and upset a few Disco and RR owners buy following them everwhere they went - check out the photo in my gallery.

Very capable car - great at annoying guys in a bogged Hilux on sand too. Its amazing the response you get when you say "need a hand?" and 9 times out of 10 they say "Nah, all sorted here" with sand up to the windscreen...

We had (still have in the garage, actually) the 19's with the Conti's too. I would never have been game to let them down to 18psi tho - I would have thought they'd peel strait off the rim at that pressure. Learn something new every day, dontcha!

Thanks.

Trying not to get off topic, I just wish to confirm that you are talking about the Continental Cross Contact UHP tyres?
If so, they have done better than I thought they would off road.

Yep, they're the ones.

I go off road a lot, I've got the "bush pinstripes" to prove it. Gear includes snatch strap, exhaust jack, shovel, stauns, air compressor, hand winch plus extension strap and for Outback trips tyre plyer kit to be able to completely change a tyre. The stauns are great, I have mine set 2 at 24psi for gravel roads and forest tracks and 2 at 15psi for beach/dune work.

Don't knock mud and ruts on sand, it's saved me a couple of times. You can reverse out of a sand bog using that setting providing you haven't hit the floor pan already. Less likely to gouge a deeper hole. That's the only time I would use it on sand though.

Quite honestly if you drop the pressure to 18psi at a petrol station by the compressor you can hardly tell thry are deflated. They are better than you might think.

Thanks for the tip on using mud and ruts to back out. I once went from a soft and boggy area into very soft beach sand without changing modes and by the time I'd realised it, I was already up to the axles. Some digging and swearing and it was back on track!

I drove a lovely Disco 4 during the LAnd Rover Experience Day just on one section, and while it was awesome to drive up on the air shocks and with low range, I really can't see what the fuss is about. The Freelander feels so nimble and agile compared to the Disco and RR.

Love it.

I've got the usual snatch strap, shovel etc but splashed out on a set of MaxTraxs. Coincidently haven't been able to get stuck to test them, despite some serious efforts. They were on special at $259 or something, not cheap good for peace of mind. I also bought a $20 ski-board bag at Aldi to store them in. Sounds like I should invest in those Stauns though. Bridgestome A/T's on 17" alloys helps keep me out of trouble.

Jak - do the Maxtracks fit in the back of the FL2 ok?


I've been doing some googling on all the recovery gear. Have seen a lot of debates product A vs B and have some questions/comments about the various gear mentioned in this thread so far.


RE: Stuans - How do you set the pressure they deflate to? Saw a large forum thread saying they were a to set and became innacurate after a few uses. You guys who've used them care to comment on this? The other option seems to be the ARB E-Z tyre deflator.

Maxtracks - there is a cheaper copy in the sates (at least I can;t find them available here) called 'Smiddybuilt Element Traction devices'. HUGE debate raged on a 4x4 forum and someone did a side by side comparison. Read it here if interested.

Yes the stauns are a to set through trial and error really and they have a locking ring you tighten to hold the setting. I use them to get down close without having to hunch over and check all the time then use a pressure gauge for accuracy once they finish. Much quicker.

MaxTraks are only 1200mm long and about 300mm wide so no dramas fitting in the back somewhere. I almost always have at least one of the back seats folded down, so plenty of room. Easy to strap to roof rackks too if you have them.

No roof racks and three kids in booster seats. Not much chance of putting the back seats down At least i can fit em in the boot.