Desert Driving Checklist: What to Carry in the UAE
Many desert recoveries would be shorter, or not needed at all, with a few basics in the vehicle. Check this list before you leave the tarmac.
- 24/7Including holidays
- UAE-wideDubai to Liwa
- Zero damageRated recovery points only
Desert Driving Guide
Six Things to Carry Every Time
None of this is specialist kit. It fits in the boot of any 4x4 and makes a stuck vehicle an inconvenience instead of an emergency.
Water and shade
Carry more drinking water than you expect to need, plus a hat or a simple cover for shade.
Tyre gauge and compressor
You need both to lower your tyres for sand and to pump them back up for the road.
Rated recovery points and strap
Know where your vehicle's rated recovery points are, and carry a proper recovery strap with soft shackles.
Shovel and traction boards
A shovel clears sand from in front of the tyres. Boards give the wheels something to grip.
Phone power and offline maps
Bring a car charger or power bank, and download the area map before you lose signal.
A plan that someone knows
Tell someone your route and return time, and drive with a second vehicle whenever you can.
Before You Leave the Tarmac
Fill the fuel tank. Soft sand uses far more fuel than road driving, and the nearest station may be a long way back.
Check the spare tyre, the jack and the coolant level. Long climbs in soft sand work the engine hard, and overheating is a common reason for a call-out.
Never attach a recovery strap to a tow ball. Tow balls can snap under the load of a recovery and cause serious injury. Use rated recovery points only.
If You Need Us: How Recovery Works
- Step 1
Contact us
Call or WhatsApp and tell us your vehicle and what happened.
- Step 2
Send location
Share your live location or pin so the crew can find you.
- Step 3
Get a clear price
Ask before we set off and you'll get a straight answer.
- Step 4
We recover
Your vehicle is recovered, restarted or towed to your garage.
Where We Recover Vehicles
Choose an area for local details.
Desert Driving Checklist: Common Questions
Can't find your answer? Message us and a member of the team will reply.
Can I drive in the desert with one vehicle?
You can, but a second vehicle is much safer. If one gets stuck, the other can help or go for assistance.
Where should I attach a recovery strap?
Only to your vehicle's rated recovery points. Never use a tow ball, the bumper, the suspension or the axles.
Do I need a 4x4 for the desert?
For dunes, yes. Regular cars and two-wheel-drive SUVs should stay on firm tracks, and even there they get stuck often.
Can you provide backup for a desert trip?
Yes. We can send a recovery vehicle with your convoy or keep one on standby. Message us your dates and route.
Can I get a price before you come?
Yes. Send us your vehicle and area and we'll give you a clear price before anyone sets off.