Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For convoy communication, clearly CB radio. PMR446 radios are limited to 0.5 watts and may only be used with the built-in antenna – in a car, the body additionally shields the signal. With CB radio, 4 watts (FM/AM) are permitted and the radio works with an external antenna on the roof. PMR remains handy for short distances on foot, for example when guiding a driver through a tricky section.

You can find all the details in our guide CB or PMR radio – which works best off-road?

No. CB radio is "citizens band" radio: you can use it without registration, without an exam and without fees. In Germany it is based on the general frequency assignment for CB radio by the Federal Network Agency (document in German). In Germany you have 80 channels.

In normal use, typically about 5 to 30 km – depending on terrain, antenna and location. The antenna is what matters most:

• Mounting position: as high and clear as possible, ideally in the centre of the roof, with a good connection to the car body.
• Tuning: the antenna has to be tuned to your vehicle with an SWR meter, otherwise it wastes power.
• Terrain: mountains, deep valleys and dense forest swallow the signal, a raised position gives more range.

Only to a limited extent. CB handhelds have a short rubber antenna directly on the device and therefore only a very limited range – they suit short distances. For a convoy we recommend a permanently installed radio with a good roof antenna such as the Albrecht Gamma 2 F.

In Germany, a maximum of 4 watts on FM (channels 1–80) and AM (channels 1–40) and 12 watts PEP on SSB (channels 1–40). The European CB regulation ECC/DEC/(11)03, which many neighbouring countries implement, sets the same limits.

Channels 41–80 are a German specialty and must not be used abroad. So switch your radio to the right country setting before you cross the border. Channels 1–40 are harmonised across Europe: channel 9 is regarded as the emergency and information channel, and in many places truck drivers use channel 19.

On our tours we have had very good experiences with the Midland M88: large TFT colour display, AM and FM, all European country settings available, 12 V and 24 V, Dual Watch and channel selection right on the microphone. The Albrecht Gamma 2 F is the perfect roof antenna to go with it.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

Add about 10% to 15% water to your alcohol in the burner.

We recommend a combination of mechanical filters and chemical treatment (tablets) to safely eliminate bacteria and viruses.

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.