What to do when stuck in sand or mud
San Antonio's low-water crossings and Hill Country ranch roads flood fast and swallow vehicles whole. The first thing to do is stop making it worse.
What you'll learn
- Why spinning the wheels digs you deeper - fast
- The airdown-and-drive-out move (safe only in certain conditions)
- How traction mats work and when to use them
- When to stop trying and call a winch-out
Step by step
- Stop spinning the wheels immediately. Every 10 seconds of spin drops you another inch.
- Check if anyone is hurt or if the vehicle is unstable (leaning, sinking). Step away if so.
- Dig the sand or mud away from the front and back of each drive wheel.
- Slide traction mats, cardboard, or floor mats under the drive wheels.
- Try to rock back-and-forth gently - reverse 6 inches, then forward 6 inches.
- If it does not move after 2 tries, stop. Call for a winch-out.
Out at a flooded low-water crossing or a Hill Country ranch road, a winch-out is far cheaper than a broken transfer case. We carry recovery mats and come-along rigs on the truck.
Rather have a pro handle it?
24/7 towing and roadside across the San Antonio metro, handled by licensed local operators.
Keep learning.
Jump-start a dead battery safely
Jumper cables are simple until you hook them wrong. Do it right and you'll avoid sparks, ruined electronics, and a tow you didn't need.
Change a flat tire on the side of the road
The difference between a 20-minute shoulder stop and an hour on the phone with a tow company is knowing where the spare and jack live before you need them.
Prepare your vehicle for a tow
A few minutes of prep before the tow truck arrives saves time, avoids damage, and makes the whole call go faster.