7 Must-Know 4x4 Recovery Steps! “The Hierarchy of Recovery”

It’s easy to get bogged with your 4x4 but it’s also easy to make some big mistakes when it comes to recovering it. In this video I step you through a process called “the hierarchy of recovery” this was originally developed by Get About Training Services and is a great tool to help you understand safer 4wd recovery.

Here at MadMatt 4wd there is everything from 4wd tips and tricks to fixing your four wheel drive. As a professional Four Wheel Driver I am all about educating and building the 4x4 community. If you are passionate about going bush with a 4x4 then this channel is for you. Enjoy and please subscribe & Hit the bell icon to be notified as soon as they're up!!!

MadMatt 4wd on Social Media:

[olliehopnoodle]

Thanks Matt! I do a lot of wheeling and have been involved in a fair number of recoveries but I am always happy to learn more and your videos add to my education and thought process. It is much appreciated and I know that your efforts will save someone from being injured or killed some day.

[Mouldyturnip]

Clever content as always. The pyramid is indisputable in terms of a logical order in which to assess a situation. Its skipping the first 2 at least which see's people get themselves into more trouble.
While you dont know what you don't know- something as simple as your pyramid should be displayed in 4x4 accessory shops, at 4wd access areas, handed out with any recovery gear purchases through both physical and online retailers. Gotta get that info out there.
Never too much info on safe recovery techniques.

[dantrucker]

New outlook on recovery. I’ve always gone for the winch straight up for when I’m stuck. This video has changed my thoughts and made me go out to get recovery boards but also purchased all my recovery gear on A247 to eliminate anything metal/steel to make it far safer for everyone. Thanks Matt for all the content. I’m learning from your videos than anything else out there.

[jackarah]

Hi Matt, for those who didn't do or don't remember high school physics, energy from motion increases by the square of speed....so by doubling your speed, you are quadrupling your worth thinking about in a kinetic

[kenmuggli]

Max, I'm all in on your recovery pyramid, you didn't change my mind.

[someguyonline]

yes I would have usually went with the kinetic right out the gate, something to think about next time, as always nice vid Matt, appreciate the work

[lakshmang]

Thanks for this! Found what i was after

[Runner]

Another educational video of things people should know. Suggestion for future video deep mud when you need to break the suction first in order to recover your vehicle. Always looking at new ideas! Keep them coming and thanks

[psg]

My cousin got my uncle's all wheel drive 74 suburban stuck in the back 40 acres and it took a 4x4 tractor and a bulldozer to get it out and 50 ft of chains this was in late 78 in the winter

[jackfourbee]

Well explained Matt. The kids love the Max tracks it’s one of the first items along with a long handle shovel packed when off on an adventure. Keep up the great work Matt. 👍👏👏👏

[steveg]

Great explanation of the correct hierarchy of what to try- in the right order!

[roedere]

I always find it funny you just jump into Australian Bog holes. I’m just waiting for the croc to pop out! 😱

[fastst]

Alwas fantastic Matt! Gave the young drivers pointers stuck in snow (fluffy cold stuff) give the bumpers a bounce to see if they move or are you hung up underneath? No bounce, dig underneath, short street shovel is the tool

[Psyco]

Good point about resisting the temptation to keep increasing the speed in a kinetic recovery until something happens. If you have seen a few successful kinetic recoveries you should be able to spot when the one you are trying isn't working.

If there isn't some kind of progress happening as you increase the energy, such as rocking the vehicle forward a bit more with each hit, then it's time to rethink the plan.

[SuperWetduck]

Hi Matt, I like your video's and it's great that you are educating us on the safe and multiple ways to recover bogged vehicles. I would like to see more content on reading the track, identifying what your vehicle is not capable of, bush care and track maintenance. There are so many pumped up rigs out there smashing the bush and ripping up the tracks in the 35" muddies that huge areas of the bush are just been closed and locked up.

[johncody]

Thanks Matt for your help will take your advice and continue to try and get recovery points

[rjl]

thank you for sharing this detailed video as great to watch every
time
tow semi out soft ground with my 2010 4x4 Isuzu 300/75 crew cab with two heavy chains

[thedeathwobblechannel]

Hey Matt how are you I hope you're doing good you guys all be safe down there I just had a couple of things I just posted at Matt's in Utah, so if you're in the stuck vehicle Matt opened the hood so we can catch any broken straps and such and I popped in and said you also should consider if the guy driving the stuck vehicle doesn't have very far to go and it's pretty much in a straight line should consider leaning over the seat out of the windshield area out of the line of fire should a strap or cable break really simple extra layer of safety course if you're over a more complicated obstacle where you have to see what you're doing it won't work you have to sit up but it's also good to have people outside the vehicle keeping an eye on where you're going if the team effort sometimes

[dudless]

Hi Matt, good video but I think you have slightly over stepped on the very first item.
Yes you may not have engaged 4wd correctly but the first thing to look for is why or how am I stuck?
Then everything elae can follow.
Also good advice is - take a breath, slow yourself down and any passengers, look, observe then deploy what you need.
Often the biggest issue is the adrenalin rush and things can go pear shaped for novice. Might be a good opportnity for a brew while you assess.
PPE gear should also raise a mention too, if nothing else, gloves to keep the muddy hands off the steering wheel when you are underway.
Just my thoughts 🙂
cheers
John

[donaldwatson]

Love you recovery do's and don'ts, could you offer some advice about vehicle capability do's and don'ts? I know that is a lot of info to obtain, but would enjoy a series of videos on the subject.