Recovery & Off-Road Gear
Recovery & Off-Road Gear for vanlife, overlanding & off-grid living
The best campsites are usually a few miles past where the pavement ends — which is also where the wrong tire pressure, a soft sand patch, or a slick clay two-track can end your trip in under a minute. Recovery gear, aired-down tires, and reliable camp setup are what turn a stuck rig into a story instead of a tow bill.
What's in this collection
You'll find MaxTrax MKII recovery boards, ARB tire deflators, VIAIR portable air compressors, Adventure Medical Kits first aid setups, BioLite camping lanterns, Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads, and Helinox camp chairs. Prices span roughly $30 for a solid deflator to $300+ for a premium MaxTrax pair — we cover weekend campers, full-time overlanders, and everyone in between.
How we pick what to feature
Every recovery item here has been used on our own rigs, not just featured because it's popular on YouTube. Amazon handles fulfillment so warranty claims and returns are simple. We include a proven budget option, a mid-range workhorse, and a premium pick for anyone building for hard use.
Frequently asked questions
Are MaxTrax really worth the price vs cheap knockoff recovery boards?
For occasional use in soft sand or mud, budget boards work fine. If you're wheeling regularly, MaxTrax's tougher nubs and lifetime warranty pay off — cheap boards shear their teeth off after a few hard pulls. Our 5-year review covers real-world durability.
What tire pressure should I air down to off-road?
General rule: 20-25 psi for gravel, 15-18 psi for sand or soft dirt, 10-12 psi for deep sand or crawling. A quality deflator like the ARB E-Z Deflator makes this a 30-second job at every trailhead.
What's the minimum recovery kit for a new overlander?
Traction boards, a tire deflator, a portable air compressor, a kinetic recovery rope with soft shackles, and a proper first aid kit. That's about $500-800 and covers 95% of situations.
