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Recovery Gear and Armor: Be Ready Before You Get Stuck
Written by the PickupChain team · Last reviewed October 17, 2026
Every off-road trip should start with basic recovery gear: a kinetic recovery rope or strap, two soft or steel shackles rated for the load, traction boards and a pair of gloves. Know where your truck's rated recovery points are. Tie-down hooks and tow balls are not designed for recovery loads.
A winch lets you recover yourself without a second vehicle. A common rule of thumb is a line pull rating of at least 1.5 times the loaded weight of your truck. Synthetic rope is lighter and safer if it breaks. Steel cable is cheaper and more resistant to abrasion.
Skid plates protect the oil pan, transfer case and fuel tank on rocky trails. Grille and brush guards protect the front end from brush, animals and light impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
+What size winch do I need?
Multiply your truck's loaded weight by 1.5. A 6,000-pound truck with gear needs at least a 9,000-pound winch. Full-size pickups and heavy builds usually run 10,000 to 12,000 pounds.
+Recovery strap or kinetic rope?
Tow straps have no stretch and are only for towing a rolling vehicle. Recovery straps and kinetic ropes stretch and store energy, which gently pulls a stuck vehicle out. Never use a tow ball as an attachment point.
+Steel or aluminum skid plates?
Steel is stronger and cheaper but heavy. Aluminum saves weight and does not rust but can gouge on sharp rocks. For daily drivers with occasional trails, aluminum is usually enough.