Tough Dog & Hulk 4x4

Recovery Gear

Don't get stuck in a rut, bogged in a hole or caught by the tide. Good recovery gear is cheap insurance – but only if it's rated for your vehicle and you've got the right pieces in the bag before you need them.

Match the rating to your vehicle

As a rule of thumb, choose a snatch strap or kinetic rope rated at roughly two to three times the weight of the vehicle being recovered. An 8T strap or 8.5T rope suits most dual-cab utes and mid-size 4WDs. Heavier rigs – Land Cruisers, Patrols and loaded tourers – should step up to 11T straps or a 13T rope. Under-rated gear can fail; massively over-rated gear won't stretch enough to do its job.

Strap, rope or winch?

Snatch straps stretch and rebound to free a bogged vehicle with a smooth pull. Kinetic ropes stretch around 50% more, storing more energy for an even smoother, lower-shock recovery. When there's no second vehicle, a winch with an extension strap, tree trunk protector and snatch block lets you self-recover.

Quality matters

Only use gear with a clearly marked rating, and only attach to rated recovery points – never a tow ball or tie-down hook. Rated shackles, forged hitches, reinforced strap eyes and a dampener over the line all reduce the risk if something does let go. Inspect straps for cuts, fraying and sun damage, and retire anything that's been overloaded.

What should be in your kit?

Snatch strap or kinetic rope rated for your vehicle
Rated bow shackles or soft shackles
Recovery hitch for your tow bar receiver
Recovery dampener
Recovery tracks and a shovel
Tyre deflator – dropping pressures is often the easiest recovery of all
Gloves
If you have a winch: extension strap, tree trunk protector and snatch block

Easiest option: a complete kit

Tough Dog8.5T Complete Recovery Kit$406.87

Tough Dog13T Complete Recovery Kit$491.05

Hulk 4x4Hulk 4x4 Essential Recover Kit$247.50

Hulk 4x4Hulk 4x4 Complete Recover Kit$495.00

Tough Dog

Australian-designed recovery gear from the suspension specialists – colour-coded snatch straps, double-braided nylon kinetic ropes, forged alloy hitches and complete snatch-and-winch kits in a heavy-duty bag.

Hulk 4x4

Proven, great-value recovery gear – straps, shackles, high-lift jacks and accessories, recovery tracks and kits to get you out of trouble without breaking the bank.

Not sure what you need? Talk to us or drop in to our Silverdale workshop – we'll help you put together the right kit for your vehicle.