Mudding with your ATV can be lots of fun, but sometimes you will encounter conditions that are a bit too much for your vehicle to handle. Getting stuck can be stressful, especially when you are riding on your own. Thankfully, there are several tricks you can use to get unstuck so that you don’t get stranded.

What to Do If Your ATV Gets Stuck

1. Use the Power of a Winch

No ATV should be without a winch. A winch can be anchored to a tree, large rock, or another ATV to provide leverage for getting unstuck. Pairing the winch with an anchor that can be driven into the ground will help you get free if other anchoring options aren’t available. 

2. Keep a Folding Shovel Handy

Having a folding shovel on hand is ideal, as it’s easy to store and can help you extract your vehicle when no anchor points are available. You can use it to dig under your tires and find a surface with better traction. It can also be used in conjunction with tarps and a winch to help get unstuck from sand.

3. Make a Tire Plank

If you don’t have the tools above, you can create a tire plank to get unstuck. Find a small branch or piece of wood and place it under wheels. Then, slowly rev the engine to turn the wheels over. The makeshift plank should provide better traction to help you move forward. Just make sure that your plank isn’t going to hit the suspension or fender as it goes around the wheel.

You can combine your love of ATVs with a good cause by contacting Riding for a Reason in Granite City, IL. They have been a powerful force for supporting colon cancer awareness since its first charity ride in 2015. To learn more about the next ride in March 2020 or to sign up, visit them online or call (314) 614-1911.