BEFORE YOU DIVE IN
IF you’re driving along a bush track and you’re confronted by a big mud hole, you’ll need to find out what’s lurking beneath the surface, and the best way to do this is with a big stick … unless of course, you don’t mind getting dirty and wading through it on foot. If you choose the latter option, make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear.
With a stick, walk along each side of the mud hole, gauging the depth with your stick and feeling for the consistency of the base to see if it’s firm or sloppy goop. Also try to judge how high the crown is to make sure you have enough ground clearance to make it through, and poke the stick around to see if there are any obstacles such as large rocks, branches or even parts that may have broken off vehicles; you might need to build up some speed to get through a mud hole and the last thing you want to do is hit a hard, submerged object.
Also check to see if there are any rocks or tree roots protruding from the sides of the mud hole that could cause tyre damage.
A thorough check of a mud hole also gives your vehicle time to cool down. If you drop hot mechanical components straight into icy cold, muddy water, they will contract when cooled and try to suck the muck past worn seals on your gearbox, transfer case and diffs.
If you’re on an outback road and you happen across a muddy section, drop your speed enough so that you will have plenty of time to choose the best route through the mud, or around it; make the wrong decision and you could soon find yourself up to your axles in gooey, sticky vehiclesucking mud.
Mud can even be problematic on sealed outback roads. If there’s been water about and you need to pull off to the side of the road to avoid oncoming vehicles, or you’re just pulling up for a cuppa, beware that it can still be boggy on the verges well after the rain has stopped.
In desert country, sticky mud will often be present just below the surface of seemingly hard, crusty saltpans, and if your tyres break through the top layer, you could soon find yourself stuck. If you can see tracks ahead of you, and they look like they exit out the other side, drive in these tracks if you think you’ll have enough ground clearance, as the base will have been compacted by the preceding vehicle(s).