Outdoor 4x4 - Snatching Through years of off roading, one thing I have experienced is that in 90% of the time when your 4x4 is stuck, the use of a winch will not be necessary. Winches are expensive, potentially dangerous (if not used with proper care), and adds weight to the vehicle. With modern 4x4s’ it necessitates the fitment of expensive after market bumpers to accommodate the winch. What one needs in place of a winch is a good quality recovery kit, which includes a kinetic snatch strap. It must be understood that a snatch strap is not the same as a towrope. A snatch strap is a lot like a rubber band, and it stretches with tremendous energy when being yanked by the recovery vehicle. In getting into the details of this article, it is assumed that you do not have a winch and that you always travel into the bush/jungle in the company of another vehicle. It is also assumed that the second vehicle does not have a winch. State of mind When you get stuck, do not get up set with your self. Getting up set will only add to your problems. So keeping a cool head is very important. Try to turn the situation into an entertaining event. If you are with friends or family, get some of the members to get a BBQ going, whilst the rest try to figure out the best way out. Assess the situation. In some instances, lowering of tire pressures or placing sand tracks (or even branches) under the wheels could get you free. Plan the recovery Make sure that you have brought along your recovery kit. Get the second vehicle (recovery 4x4) in a position where it can extricate the stuck vehicle without getting stuck. When attaching the recovery snatch straps, make sure that each end is attached to a solid recovery point in each vehicle. Most vehicles have anchorage points designed specifically for this purpose. Dig away sand/mud or any other obstacles in front of the wheels of the stricken vehicle. Make sure that the belly and the axels of the stricken vehicle, is also free from any obstacles. Using a spade, create a path for the vehicle to follow when being snatched. When attaching the snatch strap, make sure that it is in a straight line and that there is a few meters of slack in the middle. Just before snatching is about to begin, make sure that everyone stands clear of the area. A snapping snatch strap could sometimes be lethal. Snatching The recovery vehicle should begin to accelerate on low range second gear building up momentum quickly. As the slack is taken up, the elasticity of the snatch strap will increase the pulling force of the recovery vehicle. The driver in the stricken vehicle should also assist by applying power at the moment the snatch takes effect. However, be very careful not to apply too much power too quickly. This could result in digging deeper into the ground. Duncan Udawatta – Botswana (Southern Africa) [email protected]