Getting stuck in a ditch on a remote road can be a costly problem. Not only are tow trucks expensive, they could take hours to get to you.
But according to one viral video, all you need to get yourself out is a couple of ropes and this advice. But does this DIY trick actually work, or could it make things worse?
How to Get a Car Out of Ditch With Rope
In a viral video with more than 9.2 million views, @bucka.dalil5 demonstrates a technique for getting a vehicle out of a ditch using nothing but two ropes.
The account appears to be filled with AI content. The video with the car hack uses AI-generated narration and possibly AI-generated visuals.
In the video, the narrator explains a scenario many drivers dread: both back wheels dropping into a ditch on a narrow, remote road.
"Calling for help can cost at least $1,000. But don't panic. Here's a one-minute trick to get out fast," @bucka.dalil5 says.
The video notes that if only one wheel is stuck, sometimes a car can climb out on its own.
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"But when both back wheels go down, beginners freeze. No matter how hard you hit the gas, the car won't move,” he recounts.
The creator claims that getting out is simple and you just need two long ropes.
In the video he threads the rope through the gap in the rear wheel hub and pulls it tight. Then he passes it through the front wheel and pulls tight. He repeats this on the other side of the car.
"You should always keep two five-meter ropes in your trunk. Out there, they can be a lifesaver,” @bucka.dalil5 says. Five meters converts to 16.4 feet.
Once the ropes are set up, the driver gets in and accelerates.
"You'll feel it. The car pulls itself right out of the ditch," @bucka.dalil5 claims.
The technique appears to work by creating traction between the front and rear wheels through the rope system, essentially using the front wheels as an anchor point to help pull the rear wheels out of the ditch.
Does The Rope Trick Actually Work?
The rope technique shown in the video isn't something automotive recovery experts typically recommend. According to Rhino USA, the safest way to pull a vehicle out of a ditch requires proper equipment—things like D-ring shackles and a heavy-duty tow strap—plus another vehicle to do the pulling.
Rhino USA is serious about safety warnings, particularly when it comes to makeshift recovery methods. The company specifically warns against using tow straps with hooks or tow balls because they can snap and send metal flying into windshields.
"People have died. Don't do it!" the company states bluntly on its blog.
People who commented on @bucka.dalil5’s post were curious and amused.
“My ego says I can lift it,” one person wrote.
“I’m gonna drop my car into a ditch right now and hope it works,” a second said.
“And now every person who looks in my trunk gonna think I'm a serial killer or something,” another joked of keeping ropes in their vehicle.
Gallery: Mercedes Sprinter tow truck by Kegger
What Should You Actually Do If You’re Stuck in a Ditch?
Toyota of Orlando recommends a much simpler approach to getting unstuck. First, make sure everyone's okay and turn on your hazards. If the ditch is dry and you're just stuck, try lightening the load, get passengers and heavy stuff out of the car, then gently press the gas. Don't floor it, or you'll just spin your wheels and dig yourself in deeper.
If you're stuck in mud, water, or snow, you'll need traction. The auto dealer suggests putting something under your tires, like gravel, kitty litter, flattened cardboard, or even your floor mats. Put it in front of your front tires if you have front-wheel drive, or behind your rear tires if you have rear-wheel drive.
Both Rhino USA and Toyota of Orlando agree on one thing: If you're really stuck and don't have the right equipment, call a professional tow service.
Trying to DIY it without knowing what you're doing can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your car's frame or bumpers.
Motor1 reached out to @bucka.dalil for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll update this if they respond.
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