Use Maxtrax
If you are stuck in sand, simply remove them from their storage location (a lot of people mount them on roof racks with the supplied mounts), dig some of the sand out of the way and put them as far under the wheels as possible. Maxtrax have the ability to be used as a shovel, making life very easy. Once you have a pair (make sure they are used on the same axle or you will get crossed up) under the wheels, gently accelerate until the vehicle grabs the Maxtrax and goes forward. These can be used in forward or reverse motions, and if you have a second set can be used together (1 on each wheel).
There are a number of alternatives to Maxtrax, but you get what you pay for. In mud, Maxtrax also works exceptionally well. Simply move a bit of the mud out of the way (or just jam them under the tyres) and you are set to go. The advantage of storing these on top of your vehicles is that when they are dirty, you don’t have to put them in your car!
Maxtrax come in a number of colours, and can be mounted on the rear tyre, roof racks or inside the vehicle. If you have a dual cab ute its often easy to mount them up against the canopy. If you are going to use the conventional methods of recovering a vehicle (with a snatch strap, tow rope or winch) make sure you always think twice about your safety.
When recovering a stuck vehicle, there are a number of things that can break, creating fast flying object. Snatch straps in particular will take anything they are attached to and shoot it through the air faster than you can see. Dampeners are vital, as they limit how far the strap or cable will go through the air. The advantage of Maxtrax though, is the fact that you don’t have to worry about something breaking or going wrong. You are guaranteed a safe, quick and easy recovery!