Off Roading Tips

Assemble the following items in a storage container to keep on-board. Be sure to tie down and secure all items in your vehicle. Loose tools and spare parts can become dangerous projectiles if the vehicle stops suddenly or encounters large bumps along the way. While chances are slim that you'd actually need them, you should pack enough food and camping equipment to be able to stay alive and relatively comfortable for several days in adverse conditions. Other items to include:

• spare tire
• a good hydraulic jack (and a piece of thick plywood for a jack base)
• first aid kit (suntan lotion, insect spray, burn ointment, ace bandage, iodine, bandages)
• packable foods - Army surplus stores carry them
• compass (or GPS if you can afford one)
• regional guidebooks to help you located off-road trails
• flashlight or lantern (check the batteries before you go)
• waterproof matches
• pocketknife
• blanket
• shovel
• towrope
• 2 boards (about 2-feet long)
• aerial or road flares
• duct tape
• electrical tape
• tarp or ground cover
• at least 1 gallon of water per person
• mobile phone (but remember that mobiles have limited coverage)
• maps, trail guides
• fire extinguisher
• air compressor (aerosol "fix-a-flat" works well in a pinch)
• 2 gallons of water for the radiator (not antifreeze).
• 1 gallon of engine oil
• 2-quarts 80/90w gear oil for diff's and transfer
• 5 gallons of spare gas/diesel
• 1-pint brake fluid & funnel for all fluids
• an axe
• if you'll be riding in dunes, take along a flag so people can see you
• washer fluid
• garbage bags
• towels, rags
• bungee cords
• snow chains with tensions (correct sizes with rubber or spring straps, not cable-chains!)
• 2 D-ring shackles
• a recovery strap
• tow hooks properly mounted to your 4x4
• gloves
• basic tool kit
• spark-plug socket
• jump leads
• tire pressure gauge
• some key spare parts
• 8000-lbs winch and winch kit
• appropriate manuals for your vehicle for quick repairs
• rain suit
• spare warm clothing (even in summer; temperatures fall dramatically after dark)