Sorry just caught this comment! Yes that is a great option, especially since many snow recoveries require you to go backwards... as we found out the hard way haha.
Great video. I'd like more information on tires too which I would like to be this coming winter. We own a Ssangyong Musso (2.9L turbo diesel) with all-terrain, all-season tires. They are a compromise but not great in the winter. We live off-road in the mountains of Mongolia and face snow just to get home. Luckily the snow pack isn't usually that deep (typically 10-20cm or 4-8" for Americans) but can be, like it was last winter. 30cm (12") is when we start to have problems. We voluntarily recover a lot of vehicles stuck in the snow or mud, just as a neighbourly thing to do. Our kit is less than yours: tow strap, shovel, jumper cables, warm clothes and food if we're going far. I've thought about a winch but there's nothing to attach it to on grasslands. I'd have to figure out a ground anchor and when the soil is frozen, that'd be almost impossible. We might hammer it in but not get it out. So that's out. I see some locals with Land Cruisers carrying those plastic boards that you have but have never needed them. I suppose you don't need them until you do. The best tip I got from the video is the lowering inflation of the tires which we haven't needed to do but might want to do next winter if the snow gets too bad and snow tires. My tip is to get ice screws/studs because we also have to cross frozen rivers and flood plains. You can take them out again in spring. I didn't use them yet on my truck but I did on motorcycles and they allow me to ride on snow and ice which is almost impossible without them.
Hey Martin! Appreciate the very detailed comment. I’ll try to cover what I can. Tires are really the most critical component for snow driving. I’m not sure which brands you have available in Mongolia, so I’ll list off a few that we like and then give a general description of what to look for: Goodyear Duratracs, and Falken Wildpeaks would be my choices, BfG Ko2/3s are well regarded for snow too. My preference for mostly off-pavement snow driving are aggressive All Terrains with a lot of siping. Go with the largest size available that will fit your vehicle without modifications (sometimes that is the stock size. In the U.S. we have Three Peak Mountain Snowflake winter tires ratings that mean a tire is better suited for snow/ice, if you can find a comparable rating look for a tire that has one. Sounds like you’re on the right track with a recovery kit. I agree that a winch would not be the best for self-recovery in your conditions, though there are situations where it is preferable to use to get someone else unstuck (mainly if the recovery vehicle does not have great traction, or the dynamic nature of a strap recovery would be too risky. The plastic recovery boards don’t solve every problem, but they do help, especially in cases where there is nothing to winch off of. Yes adjusting tire pressure is an absolute game changer! The best thing you can do is decrease your pressure before you get stuck. Then obviously make sure to return to normal pressure before driving on pavement, and lower your speed when you are aired down. Studs sound great for your application. I generally tell people to avoid them where we live because they actually make things worse on dry pavement, but if you are driving on sheets of ice and mostly off-pavement that is a different story. Hope that helps! Happy to elaborate if needed. Sounds like you have a very cool life! -Dylan
Great advice and choice of gear! I've been in Central Oregon for 7 years now and I'm still learning every year, winters here can be so fun but they can make a turn for the worst quickly if not prepared. Cheers, hope to see y'all on the trails this winter!✌🏼
Thanks Ryan! It’s always important to keep learning, especially with the variety of conditions that we encounter here. Be sure to say hi if you run into us out there!
That's a great add! We were pretty focused on vehicle recovery with our list, but being able to make a fire if you get stuck can make a big difference. It's also just a fun thing to do on a snow outing!
@@Western-Wild I was thinking more about using an ax for getting some low hanging limbs out of the way or small logs. If it’s just going to take a second I usually go for an ax before a handsaw or chainsaw. Plus it’s good for knocking the snow off of the whatever’s before cutting. And being stuck for an extended time and having a fire is a great bonus too. Edit: I probably also bring way more gear than the average bloke in the woods.
Recovery straps, have you used the bungey ropes? Those put all straps to shame. Check them out, if your pulling people out or going for a recovery in snow the bungey ropes are they way to go.
Hey Cheesey McCheese, your username is just too fun to say! I believe you're talking about kinetic recovery ropes? We briefly touched on them in the video. You are right, they are way more efficient than the tow strap that we showed. Picking one up is on the list, so far we have prioritized self recovery gear since we do a lot of solo adventuring.
While I don't go snow wheeling in the Outback*, I do always carry a tow-strap and an 18" saw in case any trees fall over the road in while I'm at a trailhead. I also always carry some extra clothes and a shovel in the winter. *Doesn't mean I would be willing to try with some support...
Maybe we can do a little crossover snow run with Karl's Rav4 the next time we get a little fresh powder! Can follow behind in the Tundra incase anyone needs to be winched out 😉
Chains are always a good idea for winter driving on pavement. When it comes to off-roading in the snow they are a highly debated topic. Can be handy to help get unstuck, but in many cases you are better off with a good set of All Terrain tires and reducing pressure. Lowering your PSI is critical to staying on top of the snow and you generally can't do that with chains on.
Some great tips. A winch that can be mounted front and rear (as Casey used to have on his tracked jeep) can really help if you have to retreat.
Sorry just caught this comment! Yes that is a great option, especially since many snow recoveries require you to go backwards... as we found out the hard way haha.
Great video. I'd like more information on tires too which I would like to be this coming winter. We own a Ssangyong Musso (2.9L turbo diesel) with all-terrain, all-season tires. They are a compromise but not great in the winter.
We live off-road in the mountains of Mongolia and face snow just to get home. Luckily the snow pack isn't usually that deep (typically 10-20cm or 4-8" for Americans) but can be, like it was last winter. 30cm (12") is when we start to have problems. We voluntarily recover a lot of vehicles stuck in the snow or mud, just as a neighbourly thing to do.
Our kit is less than yours: tow strap, shovel, jumper cables, warm clothes and food if we're going far. I've thought about a winch but there's nothing to attach it to on grasslands. I'd have to figure out a ground anchor and when the soil is frozen, that'd be almost impossible. We might hammer it in but not get it out. So that's out.
I see some locals with Land Cruisers carrying those plastic boards that you have but have never needed them. I suppose you don't need them until you do.
The best tip I got from the video is the lowering inflation of the tires which we haven't needed to do but might want to do next winter if the snow gets too bad and snow tires.
My tip is to get ice screws/studs because we also have to cross frozen rivers and flood plains. You can take them out again in spring. I didn't use them yet on my truck but I did on motorcycles and they allow me to ride on snow and ice which is almost impossible without them.
Hey Martin! Appreciate the very detailed comment. I’ll try to cover what I can.
Tires are really the most critical component for snow driving. I’m not sure which brands you have available in Mongolia, so I’ll list off a few that we like and then give a general description of what to look for: Goodyear Duratracs, and Falken Wildpeaks would be my choices, BfG Ko2/3s are well regarded for snow too. My preference for mostly off-pavement snow driving are aggressive All Terrains with a lot of siping. Go with the largest size available that will fit your vehicle without modifications (sometimes that is the stock size. In the U.S. we have Three Peak Mountain Snowflake winter tires ratings that mean a tire is better suited for snow/ice, if you can find a comparable rating look for a tire that has one.
Sounds like you’re on the right track with a recovery kit. I agree that a winch would not be the best for self-recovery in your conditions, though there are situations where it is preferable to use to get someone else unstuck (mainly if the recovery vehicle does not have great traction, or the dynamic nature of a strap recovery would be too risky. The plastic recovery boards don’t solve every problem, but they do help, especially in cases where there is nothing to winch off of.
Yes adjusting tire pressure is an absolute game changer! The best thing you can do is decrease your pressure before you get stuck. Then obviously make sure to return to normal pressure before driving on pavement, and lower your speed when you are aired down.
Studs sound great for your application. I generally tell people to avoid them where we live because they actually make things worse on dry pavement, but if you are driving on sheets of ice and mostly off-pavement that is a different story.
Hope that helps! Happy to elaborate if needed. Sounds like you have a very cool life! -Dylan
Excellent info and presentation!
Thanks! Put a lot of background work into this one.
Great advice and choice of gear! I've been in Central Oregon for 7 years now and I'm still learning every year, winters here can be so fun but they can make a turn for the worst quickly if not prepared. Cheers, hope to see y'all on the trails this winter!✌🏼
Thanks Ryan! It’s always important to keep learning, especially with the variety of conditions that we encounter here. Be sure to say hi if you run into us out there!
Get an aluminum grain shovel for the winter, they are the best for moving a lot of snow fast.
Great tip! Sounds lightweight too.
Those are all excellent things to bring, I’d add in a hatchet or small ax as well.
That's a great add! We were pretty focused on vehicle recovery with our list, but being able to make a fire if you get stuck can make a big difference. It's also just a fun thing to do on a snow outing!
@@Western-Wild I was thinking more about using an ax for getting some low hanging limbs out of the way or small logs. If it’s just going to take a second I usually go for an ax before a handsaw or chainsaw. Plus it’s good for knocking the snow off of the whatever’s before cutting. And being stuck for an extended time and having a fire is a great bonus too.
Edit: I probably also bring way more gear than the average bloke in the woods.
Recovery straps, have you used the bungey ropes? Those put all straps to shame. Check them out, if your pulling people out or going for a recovery in snow the bungey ropes are they way to go.
Hey Cheesey McCheese, your username is just too fun to say! I believe you're talking about kinetic recovery ropes? We briefly touched on them in the video. You are right, they are way more efficient than the tow strap that we showed. Picking one up is on the list, so far we have prioritized self recovery gear since we do a lot of solo adventuring.
While I don't go snow wheeling in the Outback*, I do always carry a tow-strap and an 18" saw in case any trees fall over the road in while I'm at a trailhead. I also always carry some extra clothes and a shovel in the winter. *Doesn't mean I would be willing to try with some support...
Maybe we can do a little crossover snow run with Karl's Rav4 the next time we get a little fresh powder! Can follow behind in the Tundra incase anyone needs to be winched out 😉
The ARB deflator is my sworn enemy.
We’ll teach you up on it one of these days 😆
Maybe snow chain?
Chains are always a good idea for winter driving on pavement. When it comes to off-roading in the snow they are a highly debated topic. Can be handy to help get unstuck, but in many cases you are better off with a good set of All Terrain tires and reducing pressure. Lowering your PSI is critical to staying on top of the snow and you generally can't do that with chains on.
soft shackles...
Critical for sure! We'll have to cover this in a future video.