Getting Your ATV Unstuck

Nothing breaks the flow of a good trail ride quite like your ATV sinking into the mud. Luckily, there are a few strategies you can employ to get yourself unstuck and back to riding. This guide from the experts at Virgil Naff’s can walk you through the details.

1. Use a Winch

A winch makes pulling your ATV out of the muck a thousand times easier. Simply attach one end of the winch to the front or back of your quad and the other end to another ATV, and you’ll be able to pull your vehicle out in no time. If you plan to ride alone, you should pack a hand powered winch called a come-along. In any case, you’ll also need to pack tow straps for your ATV. 

2. Create Your Own Anchor

If there are no suitable vehicles that you can use to pull your vehicle out and your winch isn’t a come-along, you’ll need to use a nearby heavy object like a tree as a makeshift anchor. If there are no heavy objects in the immediate vicinity to use as an anchor, you can instead use a small steel rod with an eye bolt or a set of ice-climbing anchors. 

3. Bring a Shovel

Even if you don’t have a winch, you can still try to get your ATV unstuck if you have a collapsible shovel. The idea is to dig your ATV’s wheels out of the muck so that you can get enough traction to drive your way out. If you try this method and still can’t get out, you may need to dig your wheels out a bit more. 

4. Tilt Your ATV Back and Forth

If you don’t have a winch or collapsible shovel on hand, another strategy you can try is rocking your ATV back and forth using your body weight. If you lean into the motion, you should be able to inch your quad forward enough for it to get some purchase. 

Shop ATVs at Virgil Naff’s in Lynchburg, Virginia. We’re proud to serve communities like Roanoke and Charlottesville, Virginia. We also offer financing, parts ordering, promotions, and servicing.