First and probably for most your going to need these items before taking off on your off-road adventure. This is not a comprehensive list and many other items could probably be included, but this list is a good staring point to insure a safe and hopefully fun off-road experiance. Make a check list and use it before you leave.
1. Find and know how to read a detailed TOPO map or a guide book: This is probably one of the most essential items on your list. GPS is fine but most GPS units don't provide adiquately detailed maps without loading in the additional TOPO maps. If you do bring a GPS remember to bring extra batteries and load in the TOPO maps of the area you plan to travel.
If this is your first time wheeling the area an experianced guide or someone familiar with the route that can lead you and or your group would be a very wise choice indeed.
2. Don't go alone : Know what the trail rating system means and evaluate yourself and your vehicle before you leave. Take a friend along as a spotter and photographer.
3. Make sure your rig is up the the challenge: A 2.5 - 3 inch lift and 33' tires should be your minimum before starting out on any off-road trip other than trails with a rating of 1 to 2+, but not more than a 2+ rating. Check your skid plates and rock rails. If you dont have skid plates and rock rails and you plan on using trails that are rated higher than 2+, get them installed now. Be prepaired to bump and grind because (it's going to happen) even on the less difficult trails. If you cant see where your going use a spotter.
4. Be prepared to get yourself out of any situation before you leave: A High_lift jack, 1 or 2 tow straps, shackles, shovel and a CB radio should be on your list as well as a cell phone and list of emergency numbers. These would be handy if you get lost, have a break down or an accident that requires immediate medical attention. Remember, your in the middle of nowhere at times and help is a very long way off.
Take along a winch if you think you might need it, and know how to use it before and after you get there.
5.Take an emergency first aid kit: along with some extra food and water (survival food like Military MRE's), a fire starter and an emergency blanket. If you take medication, don't forget to pack it.
6. Check the weather: If there is the possability you might need extra clothing, bring them. Weather patterns can sometimes change unexpectedly and extra clothes might just save your life.
7. Make safety your first priority: Trail conditions change over time and a trail that was listed as a 2+ just might turn out to be more than you and your rig can navigate safely. Remember, most of the time you can always turn around and find a different route.
These are what I consider my list of essentials. I would never consider going off-road unprepared or unassisted, and I always plan ahead.
1. Find and know how to read a detailed TOPO map or a guide book: This is probably one of the most essential items on your list. GPS is fine but most GPS units don't provide adiquately detailed maps without loading in the additional TOPO maps. If you do bring a GPS remember to bring extra batteries and load in the TOPO maps of the area you plan to travel.
If this is your first time wheeling the area an experianced guide or someone familiar with the route that can lead you and or your group would be a very wise choice indeed.
i started to carry a compass in the truck.
electronics fail... a simple compass... unless you sit on it.
btw, read up on using a compass too... lol...
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2. Don't go alone : Know what the trail rating system means and evaluate yourself and your vehicle before you leave. Take a friend along as a spotter and photographer.
might be better off in do go wheeling in a single vehicle...
been there, done that. TRY to bring another vehicle. kinda doesnt help if you have 3 other buddies and all of you are in a stucked vehicle...
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4. Take along a winch if you think you might need it, and know how to use it before and after you get there.
if yu have a hard mounted winch, you have no choice. i choose to mount mine via front and rear receiver hitch points.
but i take just about everywhere, if i think i might see dirt. 50/50 i use it to get someone else out...
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5.Take an emergency first aid kit: along with some extra food and water (survival food like Military MRE's), a fire starter and an emergency blanket. If you take medication, don't forget to pack it.
i live in earthquake country. we are trained (or we try to drill it into people's head) that keeping a mini survival kit in your car is mandatory.. sigh...
wiht MREs, you need water and heat.
try those "food" bars that contain 1200 or so calories. no water used ot heat required to eat. just enough to maintain your hunger pains.
hopefully in the 72 hours (although i am learning that a full week supplies is almost mandatory for my bug out kit... but i digress) you are rescued...
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if you plan on going where help is more than 12 hours via car/'motorcycle/etc; think about a PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS (PLBs).
these are around $500-600, but when life or limb is in danger, you'd be glad you have one...
Here is a list compiled from many, very smart folks (and by the time you get it all together, you will need a trailer to put it in): replace front tow hooks with better/stronger pieces, rear hitch shackle, extra D rings, 4x recovery straps 2" x 30', Tire strap for Hi-Lift, Tree saver, fire extinguisher, Snatch block, 48" Hi-Lift jack with slider adapter, Jack handle keeper, Winch-come along, gloves, Co2 tank or compressor w/ chuck, oil, brake fluid, wd40, gas, tire repair kit, maps, compass, flashlight, matches, 6 pack of bottled water and some snacks or real food, extension cord, tool bag, jumper cables, lighter, wax fire starters, Leatherman type tool, plastic rain suit, whistle, good climbing type rope, a can of fix-a-flat, First Aid kit with sutures, axe with fiberglass handle doubling as a hammer, metric tool set, pliers, vice-grips, duct tape, tie wire, tie wraps, pry bar, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, blanket, jackets, rags, zip loc bags, tarp, chair, backpack & rain cover, sleeping bag, foam or self-inflating pad, prescription medications, non prescription medications, camera, soap, clean towel, paper towels, sun screen, chapstick, insect repellant, toilet paper, metal cup and spoon, sunglasses, Bible and a sense of humor.
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FJC 4x4 Black Cherry
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, ...it expects what never was and never will be" Thomas Jefferson
Sleeping bag.
Dont ask, but it involved 6 days "stuck" in Bolivia while snow fell with a dead mule and a jerry can that had diesel instead of gasoline. 250+ miles from the nearest village.
Sleeping bag.
Here is a list compiled from many, very smart folks (and by the time you get it all together, you will need a trailer to put it in): replace front tow hooks with better/stronger pieces, rear hitch shackle, extra D rings, 4x recovery straps 2" x 30', Tire strap for Hi-Lift, Tree saver, fire extinguisher, Snatch block, 48" Hi-Lift jack with slider adapter, Jack handle keeper, Winch-come along, gloves, Co2 tank or compressor w/ chuck, oil, brake fluid, wd40, gas, tire repair kit, maps, compass, flashlight, matches, 6 pack of bottled water and some snacks or real food, extension cord, tool bag, jumper cables, lighter, wax fire starters, Leatherman type tool, plastic rain suit, whistle, good climbing type rope, a can of fix-a-flat, First Aid kit with sutures, axe with fiberglass handle doubling as a hammer, metric tool set, pliers, vice-grips, duct tape, tie wire, tie wraps, pry bar, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, blanket, jackets, rags, zip loc bags, tarp, chair, backpack & rain cover, sleeping bag, foam or self-inflating pad, prescription medications, non prescription medications, camera, soap, clean towel, paper towels, sun screen, chapstick, insect repellant, toilet paper, metal cup and spoon, sunglasses, Bible and a sense of humor.
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