Essential Recovery Rack Accessories for Remote South African Trails

When you are heading to the red dunes of the Kalahari or the muddy tracks of the Wild Coast, your roof rack accessories become a more mobile recovery station. In the remote South African bushes, you can always get stuck. Therefore, having the right tools is important to keep the adventure going. 

What are those accessories? This blog will help make your future trips easier. 

Sand Ladders

The country is known for its thick mud and soft sand. If your tires start spinning, sand ladders come to the rescue. 

• Why them: These provide an instant, high-grip surface for your tires to grab onto. 
• Use Mounting Tips: It helps to lock them to your rack’s side or top. This keeps them accessible, preventing mud from entering your cabin. 

Long-Handle Spade

A simple spade does wonders. It helps you clear the path before using any recovery gear. 

Versatile: The shovel is for digging out buried vehicles. It also levels your campsite or manages a safe braai fire. 

Use Mounts: Side-mount brackets keep the shovel outside. For digging in deep sand, a spade with a long handle is much easier on your back than a short one. 

High-Lift Jack

A high-lift jack is a heavy-duty tool that helps you lift, clamp, or winch. Use it for changing tires on uneven ground or lifting a wheel out to place rocks underneath. 

• Be Safe: These are powerful but also dangerous. Therefore, make sure you have a solid jacking point. 
• Storage: They are heavy, so use high-lift jack mounts to bolt them securely to your rack’s exterior. 

Shackles

A kinetic rope or shackle is better when another vehicle needs to tug you out. It stretches like a rubber band to pop you out of the mud. 

Soft Shackles: Use synthetic soft shackles instead of heavy steel ones. They are stronger, lighter, and much safer. You won’t get hurt if a recovery point fails. 

Access: Keep shackles in a weatherproof recovery bag strapped to your rack. In this way, you won’t have to dig through, especially in an emergency. 

If you want premium-quality rack accessories, feel free to contact DVO. Their teams will guide you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent my expensive recovery gear from being stolen? 

Theft can be a concern, so most high-quality rack brands offer locking mounting brackets.

Do I really need a Long-Handle Shovel?

While a small folding shovel is better than nothing, a long-handle shovel is ideal for South African trails.