Stuck In The Mud... Advice Wanted!

[UKRay]

The weather has been foul in the UK this year. More rain than I know what to do with. This means the showgrounds are incredibly soft and muddy and my poor old VW Transporter van keeps getting stuck.

Aside from a tow from a stonkin' great 4x4, how do you get a heavily loaded, front wheel drive vehicle out of mud where you come from?

Is there any special kit (winches etc) that might help me get out of the mire on my own? All suggestions gratefully received.

Ray

[leatherj]

You could try using two pieces of floorboards, or Something similarly flat and long. Push each one under your wheels and try and rub any mud off. If you start moving, don't stop!

[Luke Hatley]

Hello there...Ray you need to get a more agressive tread design on the tires. Have a look at the tire treads at your local Tire Dealer ,you will see an Off Road tire. Now that design will be a little more road noise.But this is the choice for you.

[radar67]

We use a chain and a come a long here. You would have to have an anchor point, such as a tree to help pull you out.

[mlapaglia]

In case you are not familiar with the term Come Along

[Sylvia]

I've seen floor mats used to get you out of a mire. But the best rule is to walk the course before you even drive anywhere near it. If you sink... don't go that way in the van.

A large group of burly buddies can help push if you get stuck and I have also seen a group of 15 lift a Volkswagon bug and carry it out of a problem area.

One thing I know works with varying degrees of success is "rocking" the car... alternating between reverse and forward gears. But this works best when you aren't axle deep in the muck. (don't ask) Do this rocking technique until you build enough momentum to go forward... and once you get going ..... go like hell.

[UKRay]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

The problem has always been getting out of the site not getting in. I drive the empty van to the pitch, load up and watch it sink as the load goes on. This is a two ton van, not a bug, and it is fully loaded with a canvas 16x16 marquee plus all the stock and display kit (see attached pics). It definitely isn't going to be picked up and carried lol! Rocking and pushing sounds like a good idea until you try it with a loaded van. in 10" of mud... Also, I generally work the shows alone so there isn't anyone to help (or push) if I get stuck. Same applies to pushing stuff under the wheels. You need assistance to get them under and you can't drive at the same time

The 'come along' is a great idea (I didn't know what it was until I saw it!) and I have just invested in some ex-military ground anchors and a good sledge hammer. Hopefully they will dig in enough to give a solid pull.

Has anyone had experience of snow chains in mud? (great suggestion, Anne)

I thought long and hard about heavy pattern tyres but I drive long distances every weekend and, as you so rightly say Luke, the road noise is unbelievable when you fit them to a panel van. I'd need both hands to cover my ears!

Ray

[dirtclod]

A UniMog hope that's spelled right, anyway your close enough to be able to get one. Chains work pretty durn good in mud. Maybe a couple of boards to drive onto while you load then floorboard it to get a running start !!

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Going with the tallest, and widest tire you can will help, as well as lowering the tire pressure to get a wider footprint.Nylon tow straps wil also work if you have a pulling vehicle available. Winches are only good for the length of the cable,and the motors need a rest to keep from burning up on long drags. You need a couple of small sandbags to weigh down the cable in case it come loose. The cable can become deadly if not restrained. The sandbags are hung over the cable in a couple of locations, and will deflect the cable downward if it snaps, or comes loose.

When using a come-along with pickets you also will need some rope. You drive 3 pickets inline into the muck with the tops angling away from the vehicle, then lash from the top ofthe front one to the bottom of the middle one, then the top of the middle one to the bottom of the last one.The come-along gets attached to the bottom of the first one. This will get you out, but it is very laborious.When you are out you need to remove the pickets, which can also be fun. The best thing is to not go in with a vehicle that you know will get stuck in the first place. What about borrowing, or renting a 4 wheel drive for the event?

[ferret]

Easiest solution is ditch the volkswagen and get a landrover. An ex military ambulance should give you similar carrying capacity and it's unlikely to get stuck.