Sand Ladders / Bridging Planks

I looked into local materials - I have the info at home and can post later if wanted. Industrial walkway materials are available that could be easily modified (cut down) to make good bridging/ sand ladders, either in the crate format or "I" beam designs that would have up to about a tonne capacity per 1800mm span. Lighter than metal bridging ladders and able to be used for bridging rather than just sand recovery.

Steve

Thanks for comments/advice from the Middle East - it's certainly nice to hear from first hand experience with a variety of recovery aids.

Roger

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SharkyUAE

I have used a variety of stuff here in the Middle East for sand

1. Rubber mats (door mat material) absolute cr@p

2. Aluminum track (TrakMat) flexible multiple plates with good grip works well but not 100%, tends to wrap around the wheel (of jeeps in particular) but not had this problem with the De gender and Disco, probably a matter of driving attitude.

3. Sand Shoes - made from some fibre + plastic material. Curved shape works well in lifting the vehicle up out of the sand, pointed end good for pushing under the wheel

Some pics of a self recovery of my 90 in really soft stuff. Will post some clearer pics of 2 and 3

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Interesting. Good picks BTW.

I think that you could benefit from taking a bit of advice from ever one, after all we are all different and have different needs and therefore different solutions to our problems

roger,
in the september and october editions of 4x4 australia magazine, there is a 2 part story on a crossing of the simpson over the maddigan line.
now this may sound suss, but have a think and if you get the chance try it. i can't remember who told me about it, but i think greg s was with me at the time. they told us about using potato sacks to unbog a vehicle. by filling the sacks with the material you are stuck in and laying them along your exit route, they hold the loose material together enough for you to get traction and are big enough to float on the sand and heavy enough to not get thrown out from under your tyres as you move forward.
once emptied, they are light, pack small, can be used as rubbish bags or ground sheets or if you are a bit of a hippie, you can make some nice itchy clothes out of them.
matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barney

roger,
in the september and october editions of 4x4 australia magazine, there is a 2 part story on a crossing of the simpson over the maddigan line.
now this may sound suss, but have a think and if you get the chance try it. i can't remember who told me about it, but i think greg s was with me at the time. they told us about using potato sacks to unbog a vehicle. by filling the sacks with the material you are stuck in and laying them along your exit route, they hold the loose material together enough for you to get traction and are big enough to float on the sand and heavy enough to not get thrown out from under your tyres as you move forward.
once emptied, they are light, pack small, can be used as rubbish bags or ground sheets or if you are a bit of a hippie, you can make some nice itchy clothes out of them.
matt

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I have seen this being done years ago to a bogged horse truck and had completely forgotton about it, they used horse feed bags filled with hoss poo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barney

roger,
in the september and october editions of 4x4 australia magazine, there is a 2 part story on a crossing of the simpson over the maddigan line.
now this may sound suss, but have a think and if you get the chance try it. i can't remember who told me about it, but i think greg s was with me at the time. they told us about using potato sacks to unbog a vehicle. by filling the sacks with the material you are stuck in and laying them along your exit route, they hold the loose material together enough for you to get traction and are big enough to float on the sand and heavy enough to not get thrown out from under your tyres as you move forward.
once emptied, they are light, pack small, can be used as rubbish bags or ground sheets or if you are a bit of a hippie, you can make some nice itchy clothes out of them.
matt

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Thanks Matt,

Was aware of this method and a number of other basic/simple methods of debogging - reading of outback travel prior to 4WD's reveals some quite innovative techniques.

The great thing about AULRO and this post in particular has been the accumulation of different methods suggested by various contributors.

So far the best all round and most universal 'device' seems to be the PAP's - bridging, sand ladders, and part of roof rack structure.

Roger

one thing l have learnt since buying my first 4wd in 1984 was we always always over estimate the trouble we are likely to be in and carry weigh too much recovery tools and spares.

Must remember the Scotty engineering principal from Star Trek the machine is more capable than we think.

the best and least troublesome recovery tool is another vehicle

l wouldnt bother with sand bridges where you are going if you have 2 other vehicles on the trip

I would be giving the space and weight to spare tyres and bead breaking tools

Spinifex grass will be casuing you more trouble than the sand so remeber to take a coat hanger or too to fish out the spinifex crap from under the vehicle.

Your other option is some pieces of plywood with carpet glued to one side with holes drilled top and bottom so you can rope join them together

cartm58

http://www.pacomp.com.au/products.html

The grating type of material is used quite a bit in the UK, but not so much here. One plus of this product over the usual matting is that this is structurally rated, and the I-beam material is particularly strong.

Haven't tried it in real life, though.

Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dobbo

I have seen this being done years ago to a bogged horse truck and had completely forgotton about it, they used horse feed bags filled with hoss poo.

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Great! Stuck on the Maddigan line....

Got me sacks to fill.....

Wheres the F***ing HORSE????

:wasntme::wasntme::wasntme:

If your travelling by yourself take some, if your going with other vehicles don`t bother, save the weight and take a snatch strap instead.

I always carry a set of waffles like Ali`s, but have only used em for self recovery, never with any other vehicle as its to much hard work compared to using a second vehicle and a snatch strap.