How to get un-stuck?

So I have a large in-ground pool that has a large (300 pounds or so) pool cover. After cleaning and folding the cover I decided to use my truck to haul the cover back to the house. Just so happens that it had rained a bit the day before... most of my yard was solid but my truck found the one, previously unknown, 5 foot by 10 foot patch that holds water.

Long story short I got my two wheel drive 2.7l stuck in ankle deep mud. Afters some rocking back and forth, attempting to use planks of scrap wood, and a fair amount of cussing I talked a neighbor in to coming over to pull me out.

So here is the question, as someone with ZERO off road experience are there any tips or tricks to getting yourself out (without a come along or winch) that I should know next time I make a stupid mistake?

For your amusement:

 

Should've bought a 4x4

 

^this haha

 

Haha I couldn't resist

 

Get an off-road set of tires perhaps? Stock tires are shit.

 

air down tires. aggressive tires. being light on the skinny pedal. seems reasonable no?

 

manual winching is a pain in the butt. I used my hi-lift as a winch once but I was in dire need. rocking back and forth seldom helps in mud, and can be tricky with certain transmissions. sometimes, when your stuck, your stuck. everybodys been there. whether its a neighbor or a brother or a friend, it always sucks

 

truth
might want to jack it up and use planks.....
long strips or carpet sometimes work
floor mats in a pinch......
just remember the more you spin the worse you are
1st step is know when to say when....when u start spinning n digging stop or you will be buried to frame rails.....

 

Rocking, low gear, easy on gas, air down tires. Other than that no not really.

 

Air down a bit, but in your scenario, sounds like you just needed momentum to keep you going. Stock tires aren't any good in mud...combine that with wet, muddy grass and a grade...now there's a recipe for disaster...

 

Along with the other suggestions adding some weight to the bed would help some too

 

He had 300 lbs. Might of helped in getting him stuck.

Is that a Chevy pulling you out? How embarrassing.

 

As for getting out, 2x6's and non slip concrete coating will work a lot like maxtrax

 

Whoops I missed that

 

Tire chains.

 

X2, we used to keep shingle wrapped 2x10's in the back of the trucks during snow season.

 

http://www.maxtrax.com.au/

 

Holy shit $300

 

1. should have bought a v6
2. should have bought a 4x4
3. should have got limited slip or trd offroad with rear locker