Stuff to Take off – Here’s what you need to remove from your 4WD before you use it as a 4WD:

• Sidesteps – unless the sidesteps in question are rocksliders built to take the weight of the car then they will get bent. You’re better off with nothing and just being careful;
• Mudguards – some are fine, some are just waiting to be ripped off and unfortunately, that’s most of them. Aftermarket replacements are available; and
• Plastic guards – increasing numbers of offroaders are now coming with various cheap plastic guards around the recovery points, or front of the car. If these are removeable, as they are on some Jeeps and Land Rovers, then remove them before a stick does it for you.