From Basic Equipment to Well Equipped. The following links take you down to Checklists below.
\n\u2022 The Basic List
\n\u2022 Safety and Survival
\n\u2022 Beyond the Basic Offroad Checklist
\n\u2022 Vehicle Recovery Items
\n\u2022 Tools Checklist
\n\u2022 Versatile Items
\n\u2022 For the Vehicle
\n\u2022 For the Serious Offroader
\n\u2022 Basic Camping \/ Extended Stay List
\n\u2022 25 Tips to do before going Offroad<\/p>\n
Basic Tips
\n\u2022 Always travel in groups of 2 or more vehicles
\n\u2022 Always alert someone back home where you are going and when you expect to return
\n\u2022 Take at least a basic supply of tools and gear (see The Basic, Minimal Offroad Checklist)<\/p>\n
Pre-departure Maintenance Checklist
\n\u2022 Check engine oil
\n\u2022 Check transmission oil
\n\u2022 Check brake fluid
\n\u2022 Check radiator coolant
\n\u2022 Check windshield wiper fluid
\n\u2022 Check fan belts
\n\u2022 Check hoses
\n\u2022 Check air cleaner
\n\u2022 Check seat belts
\n\u2022 Check tire air pressure (air up to recommended pressure for highway driving, air down at trail head, air up prior to trip home)
\n\u2022 Check for tire wear or damage
\n\u2022 Tighten drive shaft u-bolts
\n\u2022 Check and tighten lug bolts
\n\u2022 Check for frame cracks
\n\u2022 Check brake pads & shoes (adequate braking pad material, in good condition and without contamination)
\n\u2022 Check for loose bolts or nuts throughout vehicle
\n\u2022 Grease all fittings (u-joints, steering)
\n\u2022 Check gear oils: transfer case\/differentials, replace if necessary
\n\u2022 Check Winch for proper operation, check winch cable for kinks, frays or damage, straighten winch cable if necessary
\n\u2022 Check shocks<\/p>\n
The Basic, Minimal Offroad Checklist
\nThe minimal list is the basics that you should always carry in your vehicle when offroad. These items are always good to have in the vehicle .
\n\u2022 First Aid Kit (See Safety and Survival below)
\n\u2022 Basic Personal Essentials (water, food)
\n\u2022 Spare Tire, Full Size
\n\u2022 Jack and tire iron to change your tire
\n\u2022 Tow strap
\n\u2022 Tree saver
\n\u2022 Come-along
\n\u2022 Basic Tool Kit
\n\u2022 Spare Key for vehicle<\/p>\n
Safety and Survival
\nThe First Aid Kit
\nFirst aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can buy them, or you can make your own kit. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items, such as medications.<\/p>\n
Here are suggestions for the contents of a first aid kit:
\n\u2022 Activated Charcoal (use only if instructed by Poison Control Center)
\n\u2022 Adhesive Tape
\n\u2022 Antiseptic Ointment
\n\u2022 Alcohol swabs, individually wrapped
\n\u2022 Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
\n\u2022 Blanket
\n\u2022 Cold Pack
\n\u2022 Disposable Gloves
\n\u2022 Gauze Pads and Roller Gauze (assorted sizes)
\n\u2022 Hand Cleaner
\n\u2022 Plastic Bags
\n\u2022 Scissors and Tweezers
\n\u2022 Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries
\n\u2022 Syrup of Ipecac (use only if instructed by Poison Control Center)
\n\u2022 Triangular Bandage
\n\u2022 Burnaid gel
\n\u2022 Snake Bite kit
\n\u2022 Disposable emergency blanket
\n\u2022 Instant Cold pack
\n\u2022 Instant Hot pack
\n\u2022 Medications: Anti-diarrhea medication, Tylenol ( fever reducer), Ibuprofen (Nuprin, Motrin, Advil)
\ninflammation reduction, sprains bruises, etc, Benadryl for mild allergic reactions, Epinephrine in the form of an Epi Pen to treat more serious allergic reactions that might otherwise be fatal.<\/p>\n
Safety Items
\n\u2022 Safety Glasses
\n\u2022 Leather Gloves
\n\u2022 Fire Extinguisher \u2013 Should be mounted in the vehicle in an easily accessible location.
\n\u2022 Flares
\n\u2022 Tarp
\n\u2022 flashlights
\n\u2022 matches \/ lighter<\/p>\n
Basic Personal Essentials
\n\u2022 Water \u2013 At least one Gallon per person, per day if not more. Drier, hotter climates may require more. Remember: Alcohol doesn\u2019t hydrate. In fact alcoholic beverages dehydrate since it take more water to metabolize alcohol than the beverage contains. Plus it may cause you to require the above mentioned First Aid Kit.
\n\u2022 Food \u2013 Bring food for twice the amount of time you are planning on being gone. Should you be delayed and have to spend a night out on the trail, you wont have to worry about going hungry. Good ideas for trail food: trail mix, beef jerky, fruits, dry\/canned food, etc.
\n\u2022 Extra Cloths \u2013 Nobody likes to sit in wet cloths or an extended period of time.
\n\u2022 Personal items \u2013 This includes toilet paper, anti- microbial hand cleaner, etc
\n\u2022 Sun block
\n\u2022 Rain Jacket
\n\u2022 Communication devices \u2013 Cell Phone, CB Radio, GMRS\/FRS radios
\n\u2022 Power inverter if necessary (e.g. Cell phone recharger, battery recharger for communication devices and camera)
\n\u2022 Trash bags \u2013 Keep your trails clean
\n\u2022 Maps, information about the area
\n\u2022 Compass or GPS
\n\u2022 Water purification tablets<\/p>\n
Survival \u2013 Seasonal Specific<\/p>\n
Winter
\n\u2022 Extra clothing
\n\u2022 Warm outer layers (jacket, wind breaker)
\n\u2022 Head gear (warm hat, hooded jacket)
\n\u2022 Emergency blanket (compact survival type)<\/p>\n
Summer
\n\u2022 Sun Block
\n\u2022 Insect repellant
\n\u2022 Sunglasses<\/p>\n
Beyond the Basic Offroad Checklist
\nWhat goes beyond the basic checklist are items that depend on many factors. Factors like what form of offroading you will be doing, your driving style, the terrain you will encounter, how much room you have for packing gear, how remote you will be traveling, how long you will be gone as well as many other factors you should consider. However three primary things you should gear up for are Safety and Survival, Vehicle Recovery and Vehicle Breakage.<\/p>\n
Vehicle Recovery
\nRecovery Items
\n\u2022 Hilift Jack
\n\u2022 Tow straps \u2013 2 or more, 2 inch width or wider, 20 foot or longer
\n\u2022 Tree saver
\n\u2022 Come-along (one or more)
\n\u2022 D-rings, Shackles
\n\u2022 Shovel
\n\u2022 Chainsaw and bar oil, 2 stroke engine oil, spare chain (can be handy in recover situations, as well as for trail clearing on wooded trails)
\n\u2022 Winch Kit: tree strap, hi-lift jack, snatch block, pickle fork, shackle, gloves
\n\u2022 Pullpal
\n\u2022 Snow tire chains (if tires don\u2019t cut it)<\/p>\n
Tools
\nBasic Tools
\nBasic tools are the versatile, essential tool sets that consist of a variety of sizes and combinations of commonly used tools such as socket sets, wrench sets, Allen wrenches, Torx sets and screw drivers. Your tool sets should cover the variety of sizes found in your vehicle. Regardless of whether your vehicle is American made or an import 4\u00d74, when it comes to socket sets and wrenches, it\u2019s sometimes wise to carry standard and metric socket since sometimes there are a mix of both standard and metric on custom vehicles not to mention helping a fellow 4wheeler.
\n\u2022 Complete Socket Set with SAE (standard) and Metric with 3\/8\u2033 and 1\/2\u2033 drives. Deep and standard sockets.
\n\u2022 Crescent, open end combination box wrenches SAE (standard) and Metric
\n\u2022 Allen Wrenches
\n\u2022 Torx sockets (especially if you own a Jeep)
\n\u2022 Standard & Phillips screwdrivers, large, medium, small<\/p>\n
Versatile Tools
\nVersatile tools are those that have many uses.
\n\u2022 Large Hammer (a.k.a. the \u201cBFH\u201d)
\n\u2022 Pliers (various sizes)
\n\u2022 Needle Nose Pliers
\n\u2022 Vice Grips, various sizes
\n\u2022 Large channel-lock Pliers
\n\u2022 Pipe wrenches \u2013 having 2 medium of these can be useful for tie-rods.
\n\u2022 Utility knife or razor blades
\n\u2022 Crescent wrenches (medium & large)
\n\u2022 A BIG pry bar or length of strong metal pipe, inside diameter of pipe large enough to slip over a wrench or socket drive for extra leverage.
\n\u2022 Magnet<\/p>\n
Specialty Tools
\n\u2022 Snap ring pliers
\n\u2022 Air Pressure Gauge
\n\u2022 Portable air pump
\n\u2022 Jumper cables<\/p>\n
Additional Items
\nVersatile Items
\n\u2022 Duct Tape
\n\u2022 Bailing wire
\n\u2022 wood blocks \u2013 Useful as chock blocks, jacking platforms, ramps, suspension supports (for broken torsion bars)
\n\u2022 Bungee cords, several in multiple sizes \u2013 good for securing gear, temporary repairs, etc.
\n\u2022 Rope lengths
\n\u2022 Super glue
\n\u2022 Epoxy
\n\u2022 Tie wraps
\n\u2022 rags
\n\u2022 Work Gloves, leather<\/p>\n
For the Vehicle
\nFluids
\n\u2022 Engine Oil
\n\u2022 Brake Fluid
\n\u2022 Power steering fluid
\n\u2022 Automatic transmission fluid
\n\u2022 Coolant or Water
\n\u2022 Bearing Grease
\n\u2022 WD-40
\n\u2022 Starter Fluid
\n\u2022 Extra gas
\n\u2022 Funnel, siphon hose<\/p>\n
Spare Parts \/ Repair Items
\n\u2022 Lug Wrench
\n\u2022 Extra Fan \/ serpentine belts
\n\u2022 Hoses, fuel line, coolant hoses
\n\u2022 Spare Tire
\n\u2022 Tire repair kits, plugs
\n\u2022 Extra Lug nuts, tire star wrench or lug key with key socket
\n\u2022 Cotter pins \/ keys \u2013 various sizes
\n\u2022 Valve stems, Valve stem remover
\n\u2022 Nuts & bolts assorted standard and metric sizes
\n\u2022 RTV or Hylomar HPF \u2013 form-a-gasket
\n\u2022 Radiator stop leak \u2013 silver flakes in tube
\n\u2022 Spare Hub (and hub fuses if applicable).
\n\u2022 Electric fuel pump
\n\u2022 Coil \/ electronic ignition
\n\u2022 Spare Universal Joints (U-joints for drive shaft & axles)
\n\u2022 Spare Drive Shaft (rear and front)
\n\u2022 Extra spark plug wire (size of longest wire)
\n\u2022 Spare points<\/p>\n
Electronics Repair Kit
\n\u2022 Volt ohms meter (multimeter)
\n\u2022 Wire cutters \/ wire crips \/ wire strippers (multi-tool)
\n\u2022 Spare fuses of all sizes and types used in your vehicle
\n\u2022 Electrical tape
\n\u2022 Spare wire \u2013 lengths of various gauges
\n\u2022 Spare switches
\n\u2022 Spare relay if you use relays
\n\u2022 crip on ends (male and female, various gauges)
\n\u2022 Small pocket sized needle point blow torch (handy for soldering wire)
\n\u2022 Flux core solder for repairs
\n\u2022 Wiring Diagram of your vehicle<\/p>\n
Expanded List
\nThe Expanded list includes items for the extreme wheeler with tools and gadgets that you may want to consider if you are serious about offroading.
\n\u2022 Winch and Winch Accessories
\n\u2022 Onboard Welder, welding supplies and welding gear
\n\u2022 Onboard Air
\n\u2022 Spare axles (rear left \/ right, front left \/ right)
\n\u2022 Spare tie rod assemblies (tie rod, drag link, ball joints, ball joint nuts and cotter pins)
\n\u2022 Spare Idler Arm
\n\u2022 Parts that have broken twice before (if you can\u2019t carry it, you should have upgraded it)<\/p>\n
Camping List for Extended Stay or Remote Excursions
\n\u2022 Maps, information about the area
\n\u2022 Camera
\n\u2022 Compass or GPS
\n\u2022 Duct Tape
\n\u2022 Flashlight
\n\u2022 Propane Lanterns
\n\u2022 Mosquito repellant
\n\u2022 Lighter, matches
\n\u2022 Firewood
\n\u2022 A knife of some sort
\n\u2022 Toilet paper
\n\u2022 Towel
\n\u2022 Water purification pills
\n\u2022 Backpack\/sacks
\n\u2022 Cooler with beverages
\n\u2022 Cooking Pans for breakfast
\n\u2022 Paper plates
\n\u2022 Paper towels
\n\u2022 Folding camping chairs
\n\u2022 Sleeping bag
\n\u2022 Sleeping pad or air mattress
\n\u2022 Stove or grill and fuel
\n\u2022 Tarps, lots of tarps
\n\u2022 Tent(s)
\n\u2022 Bathing suit
\n\u2022 Flip flops or swimming shoes (no bare feet while swimming)
\n\u2022 Funky fishing hat
\n\u2022 Hiking boots
\n\u2022 Rain jacket
\n\u2022 Sunglasses
\n\u2022 Sunblock
\n\u2022 Binoculars
\n\u2022 Bottle opener
\n\u2022 Cooler cup
\n\u2022 Jacket
\n\u2022 Pocket knife
\n\u2022 Snacks
\n\u2022 Trash bag
\n\u2022 Water
\n\u2022 Extra keys
\n\u2022 Compass
\n\u2022 Sunscreen
\n\u2022 Hat
\n\u2022 Sunglasses and\/or goggles
\n\u2022 Ice and ice chest or cooler
\n\u2022 Camera, case, film and batteries<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Offroaders Guide to Gearing up for Offroad From Basic Equipment to Well Equipped. The following links take you down to Checklists below. \u2022 The Basic List \u2022 Safety and Survival \u2022 Beyond the Basic Offroad Checklist \u2022 Vehicle Recovery Items \u2022 Tools Checklist \u2022 Versatile Items \u2022 For the Vehicle \u2022 For the Serious Offroader…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91456,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"pmpro_default_level":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"ams_acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n