GETTING OUT

Enlarge Image Image Gallery [1] Most folks who live in the country find that they must occassionally take their vehicles off the beaten path. [2 and 3] Don't venture into the outback without the appropriate tools. A shovel, an axe, and a jack (plus a board or two to support it) are minimal equipment. [4] Sometimes dead branches (avoid cutting any from live trees unless you have absolutely no other choice) can provide enough traction to get you out of a potentially sticky situation. Once you get going, don't stop until you reach solid ground! [5] It will sometimes be necessary to dig a path for the wheels to follow . . . especially if they've buried themselves deep. [6] Rocks can be used to give you some traction and support in soggy ground. Staff Photos

Folks who occasionally have to take a truck or car off the beaten path — to haul firewood, search for errant farm animals, etc. — always face the possibility of encountering a steep grade, an obstruction, or a soft surface that will bring the vehicle to an inopportune halt. The following information might just make all the difference between remaining stuck and . . .

Excerpted from Getting Dirty: The Basics of Off-Road Driving by Tom Madigan. Reprinted with permission, Subaru of America, Inc. Copyright © 1981.

If you challenge the dirt long enough, the chances of becoming stuck increase proportionally. If, through some miscalculation, your vehicle becomes bogged, the first thing to remember is, don't panic! In most cases just a quick rational analysis of the situation, a few minutes of manual labor, and presto, the vehicle will be free. We will attempt to offer only basic guidelines to aid the uninitiated driver in getting out of trouble, a look at the most common miscues.

One of the most sensible learning aids for the beginner in off-road travel is to accompany a seasoned enthusiast for at least two or three outings. This buddy system will allow the novice to experiment driving different types of terrain, and if trouble strikes, aid will be at hand. Another habit that should be adopted from the start is to carry a tow strap of some type in your vehicle at all times driving off-road. This gives you an added safeguard in the event of a problem when help is needed to haul the vehicle to safety, using a second machine.

Soft sand is the most common nemesis of the novice off road driver. Excessive wheelspin and too deep sand often combine to produce a strained machine. Overcoming the problem is somewhat tricky, but once learned, the method becomes easier. A path must be cleared in front of and behind all four wheels for at least five feet. Then lower the tire pressure to about 12 PSI. If you do not have a tire gauge, lower the pressure until the sidewall of the tire develops a slight bulge. If possible, using a 12x12x1-inch board as a base, jack the vehicle up far enough to pack traction material under the tires. Raise the front end up first, then the rear. Traction material can be made from a variety of ingredients. Leafy branches from trees, cut up bushes, or small rocks will make a reasonable base for tires to bite. Be sure no one is standing behind the vehicle: Spinning tires throw debris.