Free Off-Road Recovery & Water-Crossing Checklist
Print this free two-page checklist and keep it in your glovebox. It puts the rules that matter most when you're stuck or facing a water crossing on one sheet, taken from manufacturer manuals and recovery-gear makers, not guesswork.
What's inside
- Before you leave: a 10-point pre-trail inspection (tires, spare, wheels, fluids, battery, underbody, recovery points, route and check-in plan).
- Recovery gear sizing: when to use a tow strap, snatch strap, kinetic rope or winch, with the sizing rules ARB, Bubba Rope, Factor 55 and WARN publish.
- Water crossings: the go/no-go rules from the Jeep, Ford and Toyota owner's manuals, plus what to check after you cross.
- Engine stalled in water: the five steps to take before you even think about turning the key.
The full guides behind it
- What size winch do you need? (calculator and layer-pull chart)
- Kinetic rope vs snatch strap vs tow strap
- How deep can you ford? (water crossing depth checker)
- Hydrolock: what to do if water gets into your engine
The checklist gives general guidance and estimates. Your vehicle's owner's manual and your recovery gear's printed ratings always take priority.
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