Desert Off Road Rock Make-Shift Traction Driveway

Before I got an all-wheel drive truck, I would get stuck many times on the way in and out of my land. Even though I had acquired traction mats that provide very effective and efficient vehicle recovery in the desert sand, it took forever to get anywhere because of how many times I'd have to use the mats. They work like a charm, however, once they work, if you don't make it all the way to the road and you stuck again, you have to go back, retrace your tracks and look for where they got pushed into the sand. I eventually learned to put a light out by them at night, or stand a shovel up by them during the day so I could find them more easily.

Part of this strategy included the need to have a bit of an extension of a driveway. I scavenged old roof plywood panels that had been scattered over a quarter-mile radius by wind storms over many years and layered them, then buried them with rocks and sand, the added another section of an old metal bed frame. I prepped it so that there were no sharp points that could puncture the tires.

Luckily I only had to use it a few times before I got my 4x4 truck, however it was very successful. I was able to backout without getting immediately stuck and spun out in the sand due to lack of momentum. It was placed so that I could turn sharply and pivot out and "floor-it" to get enough momentum to make it to a more solid area where I'd be less likely to get stuck. It made for some "white knuckled" moments, it felt like a rodeo having to go over mounds and bumps and resist the impulse to slow down. It was fun and exciting after awhile, I just had to trust that the truck was up to the task. Though I knew getting a 4x4 was a must. Eventually I was able to get one, and ever since, the drives have been slow, steady, calm, and I never get stuck anymore. Having learned the power and versatility of all-wheel drive vehicles, I'll never go back, because you never know when and from where you might need to evacuate. Now with both traction mats and a 4x4, I feel very confident. Over time I will continue to add equipment like winches and other vehicle recovery devices.