Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about off-road equipment, recovery, and emergency preparedness – by off-roaders for off-roaders. Choose a topic or click on a question.
Category 01Recovery Gear
View products ›What advantages do soft shackles (e.g., from Seilflechter) offer over steel shackles?+
Soft shackles are significantly lighter and drastically reduce the risk of injury if a connection breaks under load, as they have hardly any mass. Our Seilflechter shackles have a breaking load of up to 12 tons and are extremely material-friendly.
Do I really need Maxtrax recovery boards?+
The Maxtrax MKII are the gold standard for sand, mud, and snow. They serve as a "replacement surface." Thanks to their special teeth, they dig into the tire tread. Unlike cheap copies, they are made of highly flexible nylon that does not break under load.
What should be included in a "Basic" recovery kit?+
A good beginner's kit (like our Seilflechter "Basic") should include at least a kinetic recovery strap and suitable shackles. This allows you to be safely pulled out of a difficult situation by other vehicles. For towing in public areas, it is recommended to use a maximum 5 m long StVO-approved towing rope.
Kinetic vs. static recovery strap – what's the difference?+
When recovering vehicles off-road, choosing the right equipment is crucial for safety and success. The two most common variants are the kinetic and the static recovery strap.
Kinetic strap – made of stretchable material and designed to stretch approx. 20–30%:
- Functionality: The recovering vehicle approaches with momentum. The strap stretches, stores the kinetic energy, and gently but powerfully "snaps" the stuck vehicle out of the mud.
- Advantage: Protects the material (frame, attachment points), as no abrupt jerks occur. Ideal for deep sand, mud, or snow.
- Important: The recovering vehicle does not need to be heavier than the stuck vehicle, as the energy comes from the momentum.
Static recovery strap (the classic) – has virtually no stretch:
- Functionality: Primarily used for towing on paved roads or for static recovery (e.g., with a winch).
- Disadvantage: During a "momentum recovery," extreme stress peaks occur – in the worst case, towing eyes tear off or the frame is damaged.
- Advantage: Usually cheaper, more compact to store, and ideal as a tree protector (when winching) or for simple towing over longer distances.
Category 02Winches
View products ›Warn Zeon vs. Warn VR Evo – what's the difference?+
The Zeon series is the premium segment: extremely robust, waterproof (IP68), and designed for heavy-duty continuous use. The VR Evo series offers the best value for money for occasional users, but is also very reliable.
Steel rope or synthetic rope (S models)?+
Synthetic ropes (marked with "S" by Warn) are lighter, easier to handle, and safer, as they don't whip when broken. Steel ropes, on the other hand, are more abrasion-resistant on sharp rock edges.
What pulling force do I need?+
As a rule of thumb: the total weight of your fully loaded vehicle multiplied by 1.5. For most off-road vehicles (Defender, Wrangler, Hilux), winches with 4,500 kg (10,000 lbs) pulling force are ideal.
Category 03CB Radio
View products ›What is the VOX function on Albrecht devices?+
Since the StVO amendment, holding a microphone while driving is prohibited. The VOX function allows for "hands-free" radio communication: the device recognizes your voice and automatically switches to transmit mode.
Do I need a fixed antenna or is a magnetic mount sufficient?+
Fixed antennas (like the Albrecht Gamma 2 F) offer the best range and stability. A magnetic mount (e.g., ML-145) is ideal if you only use the system temporarily or want to switch vehicles.
What can the Midland Dual Mike do?+
It's a "hybrid" microphone. You can connect it to your mobile phone via Bluetooth (CB-Talk app for worldwide range) and simultaneously connect it to a standard CB radio.
Category 04Emergency & Crisis Preparedness
View products ›Why is a hand-crank radio (e.g., Midland ER 300) useful?+
In emergencies (power outage), you are independent. It can be charged by hand crank, solar, or USB. It also serves as a power bank and a powerful LED flashlight with an SOS function.
What is the advantage of PMR over CB radio in times of crisis?+
PMR446 radios (as in the Tectalk set) are handy, license-free, and ideal for communication in the immediate vicinity (house, convoy). CB radio, on the other hand, has a longer range for regional information.
What should I look for in a survival shovel?+
Multifunctional tools like the "Survival 10 in 1" save space. They serve as a shovel, hoe, saw, and knife – essential for gathering firewood or securing a camp in an emergency.
Category 05Cooking on Off-Road Trips
View products ›Which type of cooker should I choose?+
- Gas: Clean, quickly adjustable, ideal for Europe and all countries where gas supply (cartridges with bayonet or screw connections) is available.
- Multifuel/Petrol: Indispensable for long-distance travel (e.g., Africa/Central Asia), as petrol or diesel is available everywhere.
- Alcohol: Absolute reliability due to maximum simplicity – comes without mechanical wearing parts, nozzles or pressure vessels and functions almost maintenance-free even under extreme conditions.
My alcohol stove is extremely sooty. What can I do about it?+
Add about 10% to 15% water to your alcohol in the burner.
Why? The water lowers the combustion temperature just enough for the carbon in the fuel to burn more cleanly.
Effect: The flame glows bluer instead of yellow, and the soot on the bottom of the pot almost completely disappears.
How do I purify water in the wilderness?+
We recommend a combination of mechanical filters and chemical treatment (tablets) to safely eliminate bacteria and viruses.
Where should greywater go after cooking/washing up?+
Environmental friendliness is paramount. Use biodegradable soap and collect greywater in a collapsible canister if you are in sensitive natural areas, to dispose of it properly later.
Question not listed?
Our team will be happy to advise you personally – based on our own off-road experience.