Getting stuck in the Mud.

[Bartyfixedit]

We have an L4H3 Ducato self build which weighs in at around 3500kg when carrying our toys.
Correct tyre pressures are 65psi front and 72psi rear. Obviously this means that the ground pressure is very high with a very small footprint. On soft ground it is easy for the wheels to dig in and get stuck.
I was thinking of getting a Ring RAC 900 air compressor such that on soft ground I can drop the tyre pressures down to say about 20psi until on firm ground and then quickly reinflate with the compressor.
Has anyone else tried this, and if so, any comments?

Cheers

David.

 

[pappajohn]

I reckon even at 20psi the wheels will still spin.......its a ducato trait and even wet grass will sometimes halt progress.

Best solution is avoid soft ground altogether if possible

 

[DBK]

I know deflating tyres does work - I got stuck in the desert in Oman once but I let the tyres right down and drove away but as PJ says, wet grass is a bit different I think and I was in a 4 * 4. Our 'van has traction control which stops one of the front wheels spinning but there is a limit to what this can achieve. Avoid wet grass and slopes I guess but most sites should be able to help you with a tug should it happen.

 

[scotjimland]

Never tried this.. but look forward to reading your report.. could be a messy job re inflating.....

for slippy situations.. getting out of mud etc ... best bet is to invest in a couple of cut down bread trays..

 

[Mikeco]

As said avoid wet grass and mud but if you do park on grass then put the wheels on half a bread tray so you have a chance of setting off.I carry 8 pieces and also a set of those grip treads which are about a metre long.

Mike

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[Hawkstone]

We get stuck in the mud every time it rains at motocross. We have an Autoroller 707 which is of course front wheel drive. With a trailer carrying two bikes we have absolutely no chance of escape, fortunately most of our tracks have a very friendly farmer and a bloody great tractor on standby

 

[Movinon]

Dropping tyre pressure by 50% is the standard way of getting out of sandy conditions. As for wet grass and mud, I carry an RAC900 myself along with all the other necessary equipment to get me out of trouble. It's a good philosophy to be prepared ahead of time - basically known as the 6P principle.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Might seem a daft idea but, what about snow chains they should give you some traction

 

[Badknee]

T

Might seem a daft idea but, what about snow chains they should give you some traction

That's very true but snow chains are designed to cut through snow and ice to get to the tarmac underneath, with mud it's different and it's a bigger footprint you need eg. bread trays, sand ladders etc.

 

[OllieUK]

Been there done it. Had been on site no problems for 2 nights on the 3rd day it piddled down and I drove onto the grass, as soon as the wheels hit the grass I knew I was in trouble. Grip treads never helped at all. had to hire a farmer and his jcb to pull me out.
Lesson Learnt.!!

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[flatpackchicken]

Get a rear wheel drive mh with diff lock simples, or stay away from grass in the wet. Regards Garry Flatpackchicken

 

[Movinon]

It's perfectly possible to deal with wet grass if you set yourself up correctly in the first place. It isn't the wet grass but soft ground (mud) underneath that can cause a problem.

 

[CazPaul]

Winter tyres are the answer, great grip for getting out, of course rear wheel drive helps too.

Get some Toyo H09 or Conti vanco winter2 tyres and watch the difference.

Paul.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Reducing tyre pressures dramatically will help a great deal. Just use minimum throttle and keep the steering wheel pointed straight ahead so you don't risk pulling the tyre off the rim.
Snow chains will also work very well.
If the rears are also in soft ground, reduce the pressures in those too to increase the flotation.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Starburst2]

If wet or on long grass I tend to place a board under each wheel, and as a last resort I have a set of griptracks which have helped me and others to get moving, once moving just do not stop.
Doug

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