My Bronco has a "go for it" in a devil-on-your-shoulder voice... that got me stuck in soft mud

[Huntsetter1]

When I’ve been stuck like that it generally starts raining really hard immediately after I know I’m screwed.

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[TNcoupe]

Sometimes the skinny pedal is the answer before arriving to the mudhole.

 

[redone17]

I had a similar experience. Learned a lot. That’s what it’s all about. Worst part is the winch was sitting in the garage waiting to be installed. Happy to have more experienced friends and my kinetic rope!

 

[66GT]

I had a similar experience. Learned a lot. That’s what it’s all about. Worst part is the winch was sitting in the garage waiting to be installed. Happy to have more experienced friends and my kinetic rope!

Dadventure #1. Day 4. 300 miles.

 

[ctandc]

I grew up in SC. We had a place we called the Clay Pit. The Clay pit was known for people who didn't know the place - getting stuck - walking out (before cell phones) to get help and coming back and thinking their vehicle was stolen. Nope - just buried.

Momentum is everything in soup like that. Clearance doesn't mean jack unless there are muddy ruts around solid soil. Unless we're talking 40" meats on a foot or more of suspension lift. Weight and momentum. It's why back in the day the older Toyota 4x4s made it through places other, better equipped trucks didn't.

They should be even better now, most of 'em weigh half as much from all the metal lost to rust.

 

[Rivers90]

I’m newer to the off-road game. Would a winch have saved you in this situation? Looks like there are trees to anchor to. I’m trying to convince the wife a winch is a necessity and showing her your pic. Fingers crossed

Yes as long as you can reach the trees with the winch line.
I have used a winch to pull me out of worse.

 

[Rivers90]

She's out, and has had a bath but my pride might need a few days to perk back up.

Needed an extremely long cable and willing team of tow guys to get us free.

What tire pressure were you running?

You would need to have a potable compressor to air them back up for street use but nearly every time I have been stuck was when I did not bother to air down to trail pressure.

Lowering your tire pressure Helps with 4 things.

1. more traction
2. less sinking in soft sand and mud.
3. less harsh ride.
4 Less likely to get a tire puncture.


The main down side is the time it takes to air down and then air back up again.
If you go too low in tire pressure you could de-bead a tire. (has not happened to me yet)
Also it takes some practice to know the right pressure for what type of trail you are driving on.
I use 15 psi for most trails but for really soft sand I go to 12 psi.

 

[ROCKO]

The bronco has so many features that give a new off roader a sense of confidence. But nothing like real life experience to find true limits.

 

[the poacher]

Sucks when it happens but a good way to gain some valuable experience.

Is that valuable experience not to drive in a mosquito infested forest with your doors off and windows down?

 

[Ground_zero298]

Is that valuable experience not to drive in a mosquito infested forest with your doors off and windows down?

The experience part is getting out and looking at what you’re about to drive through and learning how to gauge 2 tracks by past ruts and how to remove a stuck vehicle. Plus some odds and ends that should be in the vehicle for exploring trips I’d imagine. Maybe some self recovery stuff or some bug spray.

 

[‘21OBX]

The sqeeeeeeek of doom is clearly heard.

What was the damage?

Well we broke down and had to Wash it couldn’t stand it anymore. The mirrors, flares and handles of course got the worse of it. Still believe 98% or better will polish out.

 

[Ground_zero298]

Well we broke down and had to Wash it couldn’t stand it anymore. The mirrors, flares and handles of course got the worse of it. Still believe 98% or better will polish out.

Don’t look too bad from the pics.

 

[rmanecke]

Never trust a puddle - LOL (unless your buddy is behind you and has a winch)

 

[almoneal]

While driving the kids on a dadventure, I happened to see a deer hanging around back in the woods and wanted to get a closer look.

We made our way back fairly deep into this section with no issues a little soft on the left side but nothing unmanageable. Once we got to a spot where we turned around however, the doors off - windows down idea became a welcome invitation to every mosquito in Southeastern Michigan to feast.

This in turn, allowed a hasty decision to take a new line through an extremely unforgiving obstacle.

Mistakes were made.

My bronco has the same voice. Ended up on a side by side trail and had to get recovered at midnight.

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