I'm slightly stuck on a slightly boggy camping field !

Wisewoman

Wisewoman

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My latest bit of van saga ...

OK, so I'm not wild camping, as I wanted an EHU to run the oil radiator tonight. Anyway I pulled onto the grassy area pointed out to me - the owner saying you should be alright there as it's just a Campervan. I am now stuck - the Dragon Van is not going forward although will happily reverse into those bushes behind me ! I'm trying to give the illusion that I meant to pick this spot - but in fact it picked us - for the night at least coz I'm going nowhere fast.

I noticed that there is a long rubber mat in the corner of the field - which I now suspect is for the very purpose that I will be using it for in the morning. :)

My question is that there seems to be an array of advice out there but I wanted to know- from those more experienced in these things- what's the best thing to try first - should I go straight to rubber mat ? Should I dig a bit. under the front of the wheel or just ram the mat under as best I can?

I'm having endless joy in this van, that's for sure - by the time the zombie apocalypse hits, me and the Dragon Van will be a real force to reckon with ;)

Melissa
 
just get someone to tow you out, any 4wd or tractor should do it

always carry a towrope
 
Simplest thing, when pulling away, rapidly pull on the handbrake and release, don't fully apply it, just quickly engage and immediately let it off. This is assuming hand brake works on driving wheels, which it often does. If it doesn't work, don't keep trying, you'll just dig deeper.
Or reverse on to the rubber mats then do as above, probably the better idea actually.
 
If you're happy where you are then see the owner in the morning,no doubt it's nothing new for him to deal with,probably got a tractor or 4wd to get you out.
 
I would rock backwards, using the clutch to 'rock' your van, and when you are out of the hole, put the mat over it and drive away in the morning.
 
Roaminrog said:
I would rock backwards, using the clutch to 'rock' your van, and when you are out of the hole, put the mat over it and drive away in the morning.
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If there is a hedgerow nearby I would collect lots o dead twigs and pack them in tightly in front of your wheels and as Rog says don't accelerate just rock the van back and forth until you feel it bit the twigs then once your moving don't stop until you hit tarmac or hard standing.
If you do this early morning when the ground is cold less chance of making a mud bath.
 
mark61 said:
Simplest thing, when pulling away, rapidly pull on the handbrake and release, don't fully apply it, just quickly engage and immediately let it off. This is assuming hand brake works on driving wheels, which it often does. If it doesn't work, don't keep trying, you'll just dig deeper.
Or reverse on to the rubber mats then do as above, probably the better idea actually.
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Handbrake rear wheels,drive front on 99% of vans unless its a iveco,so forget using h/brake.
 
First of all where are you? there may be a member near you with a long rope and able to assist.
 
trevskoda said:
Handbrake rear wheels,drive front on 99% of vans unless its a iveco,so forget using h/brake.
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I've had a few front wheel drives, they had handbrake working on the front. In fact in my old Saab it even mention the use of handbrake when stuck in the owners manual. It's simply a manual version of traction control.
 
You lot are so great- thanks for all the ideas!

I now have several cards up my sleeve for the mornings mud adventure and I shall sleep the better for it :)

I'm in a front wheel drive VW T4 conversion - so will heed the advice about handbrake trick probably no good.

Thanks again,
Melissa
 
Don't even try driving off if he put you there then get him to give you a tow.you may damage your clutch spinning in the one spot and it'll be months down the line when you notice damage no pride in it I'm a very experienced driver vans lorries and I've managed to get myself stuck at least three times this year in my van. I've invested in a set of mats from eBay that are better placed when you originally park but can be used after you get stuck. Best advice I can give always ask for hard standing in winter cheers wully
 
Wisewoman said:
You lot are so great- thanks for all the ideas!

I now have several cards up my sleeve for the mornings mud adventure and I shall sleep the better for it :)

I'm in a front wheel drive VW T4 conversion - so will heed the advice about handbrake trick probably no good.

Thanks again,
Melissa
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Try the twigs worked on my T4 when I got stuck.
 
I carry the base of a bread board I cut up with jig saw and made two pads never been stuck yet with them.
Cost nothing just asked the co,op
 
i'm a pretty experienced driver, and i never worried about getting stuck. i've been stuck many times in mud, sand, shingle , doing stupid things. in very isolated places i've jacked and blocked and virtually built roads . and my very best advice , after years of driving on dodgy tracks and terrain, is carry a towrope,[a towrope is a bit of a misnomer these days-they're not for towing any more, they're for pulling your motor a few yards onto a harder bit of ground !], learn to tie a bowline,never be shy about asking for a hand, people will always help,even if they charge for it !
 
Don't mess about just get a tow out more you try worst it'll get and more likely to damage your van
 
mark61 said:
I've had a few front wheel drives, they had handbrake working on the front. In fact in my old Saab it even mention the use of handbrake when stuck in the owners manual. It's simply a manual version of traction control.
Click to expand...
No modern stuff is built like the old saabs,h/brake on rear these days.
I can here the t/stroke saabs in me head now poping on over run.
 
I think this thread will still be running...... weeks after you've got yourself out, and driven away!
 
I find that Roaminrog usually pops up to push when I get stuck 😄
 
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