Gear Up: 5 Essential Desert Recovery Items for Dune Season

LIKE IT OR NOT, FALL IS COMING. WE LIKE IT BECAUSE THAT MEANS DESERT WHEELING IS ON ITS WAY

With the change in season comes change in outdoor activity. Just kidding, we're still hitting the trails, just the scenery changes. Like a flock of geese, as the temperature drops and the weather gets wet (REALLY wet if you're in the PNW like we are), we head to the desert. We've pulled together a list of 5 essential items for desert overland travel. Read on! 

THE IDEA IS TO NOT GET STUCK

We seem to write a lot about getting stuck and unstuck so here's a tip on how to avoid getting there in the first place: deflate your tires! Ideal tire pressure is 2/3 the PSI you run on the highway, at least 20 PSI or down to 10 for soft sand. Essential Desert Kit #1: tire deflator.

YA DID IT. YA GOT STUCK

You're dug in deep. Now what? What item might help you out of this situation? Hint: it's associated with dug. You guessed it! Essential Desert Kit #2: a shovel.

image via ww2.zukiworld.com

CAN'T DIG OUT AND NEED VEHICULAR ASSISTANCE?

It isn't hard to get wedged in deep in unstable ground. Our Essential Desert Kit #3 is a snatch strap. Snatch straps have elasticity built in that reduces shock load to your vehicle and gives an extra boost when pulling a stuck vehicle out.

WE KNOW IT'S MUD BUT YOU GET THE POINT

If you're familiar with driving in snow, you'll know the floor mat-under-the-tire trick to help get traction. Recovery tracks work on the same concept and are just a bit more legit than tossing your floor mats under the tires and hitting the gas. Essential Desert Kit #4: recovery tracks.

WE'RE NOT JUST BLOWING HOT AIR

Last but not least Essential Desert Kit #5: air compressor. After the big day ripping around the desert sunburns and all, it's time to head back home. But wait! Your tires are deflated from this morning! Have no fear, you've packed an air compressor to get those bad boys back up to highway PSI because you're a planner. Kudos.