SUV Vehicle Recovery

Hi to everyone at ARB,

I have recently purchased a 2004/5 model Toyota Rav4. I know
it’s not a ‘real’ 4WD but I’d like to be able to take it off road
wherever possible. Unfortunately, I can’t find much information
about the smaller AWD in magazines etc.

My question is regarding recovery gear and accessories. Can I
buy equipment designed especially for my smaller SUV at my
local ARB store? I don’t want to embarrass myself by not knowing
what is available when I want to make a purchase.

I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Regards,

Barbara Stirling

Hi Barbara

What is it that makes a 4WD ‘real’? Is it simply its ability to go ‘off road’, or does it need to have a transfer case and low range gearing? Something worth noting is that there are very few ‘real’ 4WDs that can actually drive all four wheels at once! Either way, a Rav4 is a very popular off road SUV for which plenty of accessories and recovery equipment are available. ARB carries a range of items from nudge bars to tow bars, driving lights to roof racks as well as ARB and Bushranger recovery gear, the latter of which produces a 6000kg snatch strap specifically for smaller vehicles. Other recovery items
like hand winches, air jacks, compressors and tyre repair kits are all just as essential for smaller vehicles heading off road, as they are for their larger brothers.

Smaller SUVs are becoming more and more popular, and ARB is a proud sponsor of Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures, which began airing on Channel 10 in late October 2008. The first season saw Pat
travelling around the country in Kia Sorentos, visiting a number of iconic Australian locations, including some that in the eyes of many, are viewed as only reachable with a larger style 4WD. This went a long way in demonstrating just how capable a small SUV can be, and showing that it is possible, with the right equipment and right advice, for just about anyone to get out into the wilderness and explore off road regions of the country.

Pat says, “It was fun watching onlookers see what the mid-sized Kia Sorento could get through with a little help from Old Man Emu suspension! The Kia cruised through a heap of obstacles that had Cruisers and HiLuxs turning back.”

So no need to feel embarrassed. Drop into your local ARB store and speak to one of our experts who can give you all the help and advice you need.

Mark ‘Lowmount’ Lowry
(Manager – Product Development & Evaluation)

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