This is more of a cautionary blog topic than anything else. Getting your RV stuck in the mud can be a costly mistake that was probably easily avoidable. Remember, your RV isn’t necessarily like your car in the sense that you might be able to free yourself. More often than not, you are going to have to need some assistance if you are stuck in the mud. The best thing is to avoid getting your RV stuck in the first place. We are getting lots of rain this time of year and a dirt road can quickly become a muddy road without you knowing.
Our first hint is to simple walk the path. If you are going to go down a dirt road and you know there has been rain in the area recently (there may have been rain you are unaware of too) take a few minutes to check down the path to see if there are any mudholes, or worse, a washed out road. Use a stick to poke at any suspect dirt road ways, if the stick sinks more than an inch, or two, don’t bother taking your RV down there. You are better of taking a little extra time and finding a different route.
If you’ve been traveling down a dirt road for a while and do come up to an impassable mud hole, be REALLY careful trying to turn around. The ditches and roadsides will likely be muddy too. Vegetation and forest growth may cover any signs of mud, so be extra cautious.
You can also run into mud even at your at your own campsite as is evidenced in the video below. Rain can cause havoc on any dirt surface.
The bottom line is that if you get your RV stuck in the mud, you are probably going to need a tow. You might be able to save yourself if you happen to have planned ahead and purchased a powerful hand winch with tow straps and snatchblocks, sand ladders and bridges to drive over the mud, or a high-lift jack to lift a stuck wheel clear of mud. If you do have to call a for a tow (it’s okay to call for help… guys, I’m looking at you) make sure to tell the tow truck operator that you have an RV and ask them if they have any experience with RVs. Trust me, someone who doesn’t know what they are doing are at risk of damaging your RV.
The name of the game here is: “It’s better to be safe than sorry” and avoid getting stuck in the first place.