1. Check the Basics \u2013 Check all your fluids -coolant, oil, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, ATF, differentials, etc. Make sure there are no leaks, everything is at the proper level, and carry extra fluids just in case. Also check the air filter and the air filter box for debris. Also, if you are aware of any mechanical or electrical problems with your 4\u00d74, repair them before hand.<\/p>\n
2. Check the Tires \u2013 Check the condition of your tires, including the spare. Be sure they are all inflated to the proper highway speed pressures. Take note of your tread and think about the terrain you will be traveling on. Are you ready for that deep mud hole with that tread?<\/p>\n
3. Ball Joints \u2013 Check all your ball joints, tie rods ends and wheel bearings by jacking up and securing the front of your 4\u00d74. Grab the tire by the and at the top and bottom, and check for any excess movement by rocking the wheel in and out. Do the same by rocking the tire side to side. Any excessive free play should be checked out by a qualified mechanic. Also check the rear in the same manner. In solid rear axles you\u2019re checking for worn bearings and other damage.<\/p>\n
4. Shocks \u2013 Check your shocks for signs of leakage or damage or just plain worn out. Your going to need those shocks.<\/p>\n
5. Plan the Trip \/ Inform Others \u2013 Tell those that should know where you are going, when you are leaving and when you\u2019ll be back. Let them know when they should start to worry about you if they haven\u2019t heard from you. Give them contacts in case they need them. Prepare your trip. Have a map of the area you are going to and how you should get there (and home again).<\/p>\n
6. Weather \u2013 Watch the weather for the region you are visiting and the route along the way. Be prepared with the appropriate clothing and protective gear (rain jacket, hats, sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen). Pack extra clothing in case you get wet or it gets a little colder than expected. Even if you are not \u00d4\u00c7\u00a3planning\u00d4\u00c7\u00d8 to stay the night, its good to have a sleeping bag. Its better to be over prepared than under prepared.<\/p>\n
7. Necessities and Nature\u2019s Calling \u2013 Bring a roll of toilet paper packed in a air tight zip-lock plastic bag. In fact, ALWAYS carry a roll in your vehicle. When you need it, you\u2019ll thank yourself for putting it there.<\/p>\n
8. Communications to the World \u2013 Pack a cell phone and give it a full charge before departing. Pack the phone car adapter or the 120 volt charger along with a power inverter. When you\u2019re remote and offroad, you can still find a signal even if its atop a ridge or up a tree. Be aware that if your are out of signal range, your cell phone will be hunting for a signal and this will deplete your cell phone\u2019s battery quicker than just sitting in standby when in range.<\/p>\n
9. GPS Navigating \u2013 A handheld GPS is a great thing to have. Prices have come down to the point that if you spend any time in the wilderness or off the road, you should have one. Hand-held units are easy to operate and once you are familiar with it, it can be a valuable tool to get you places. Should a real emergency arise, you\u2019ll learn quickly how valuable they can be. Bring spare batteries in a zip-lock bag and a car adapter for the GPS unit.<\/p>\n
10. Communications Vehicle to Vehicle \/ Person to Person \u2013 Handheld Family Radio Service (FRS) walkie-talkies are very handy and inexpensive. They have great range and are very portable. Whether on foot or in the vehicles, it makes good sense to carry one. And communication can add to the fun and in the case of an emergency where the you need to temporarily split up the party, you do no want to be out of touch. If you have to separate, stay in range. CB Radio\u2019s also fall in this category but are less portable (most units stay with the vehicle) and the range is sometimes shorter than FRS (and the GMRS frequencies on more FRS radios) depending on the radio and the antennas.<\/p>\n
11. Food \/ Water \u2013 Bring plenty of food and drink. Even on the short trips. Bottled water, energy bars, and dried fruit, sports drinks, anything that has compact energy are good items to pack. Pack items that do not need refrigeration. Avoid salty foods such as chips and salsa, beef jerky, unless you have plenty to drink. And no, beer doesn\u2019t count. In fact it takes water to metabolize alcohol so the beer and liquor will dehydrate, not hydrate you. Alcohol is never a good idea when you have to think clearly.<\/p>\n
12. Top off the Gas \u2013 Fill the gas tank prior to every trip. When you reach your destination, top it off again before hitting the trail. The last thing you want to do is start worrying about running out of gas while offroad. Remember the One-Third\/Two-Third Rule: Use one-third of a tank to get where you are going and save two-thirds for getting out. If your fuel tank doesn\u2019t have the capacity for the offroad portion of the trip, carry extra fuel or re-think your route.<\/p>\n
13. Transporting Gas \u2013 Always carry your extra fuel outside the vehicle. Fuel containers have vents and gasoline fumes are explosive and toxic.<\/p>\n
14. Jumper Cables \u2013 Have a good set of jumper cables with heavy-gauge wire and quality connectors.<\/p>\n
15. Recovery Straps and Come-Alongs \u2013 Bring at least one recover strap, preferably 2 or more and make sure you have a place to hook it up on your vehicle front and rear. Also get a good come-along if you don\u2019t have a winch. A High-Lift jack also doubles as a come-along and a jack (and lots more). Its also good to have extra pieces of recover equipment such as a D-ring or two and a tree saver. If you have a winch, make sure you have winch related equipment such as a snatch block, gloves, tree saver, Pull-Pal, etc.<\/p>\n
16. Belts and Hoses \u2013 Check all your belts and hoses, and carry spares. The lower radiator hose is the one that usually gets damaged while off-roading, so ensure that you have a spare. Alternator\/water-pump belts are the most important. Newer vehicles often use serpentine
\nbelts. While much less prone to failure, they can be difficult to change. The are also expensive, but carry one. Replacing an old serpentine belt and saving the original as a spare is a good idea.<\/p>\n
17. Jack \u2013 Make sure you have a working jack and know how to use it. A High-Lift jack is a great universal tool and also doubles as a come-along (and lots more).<\/p>\n
18. Spare for the Spare Tire \u2013 If you have room, carry a second spare wheel and tire. At the very least, carry a repair kit just in case. Nothing is worse than getting a second flat tire on the same trip.<\/p>\n
19. Cold Weather Wheeling \u2013 If there is even the remotest possibility of snow, or if you will be at high altitude, carry tire chains for all four wheels and know how to install them. Don\u2019t forget the chain tensioners, which look like big rubber bands with hooks. Remember that the chain tensioners will deteriorate over time, so check them periodically for cracks and splits.<\/p>\n
20. Tool Kit \u2013 Carry a tool kit that covers the basics of your vehicle. Put your own together, don\u2019t use one of the Christmas gift kits that are junk in a pouch. Carry quality tools. See this checklist.<\/p>\n
21. First Aid \u2013 Carry a well equipped first-add kit.<\/p>\n
22. Emergency Kit \u2013 Carry an emergency kit that covers situation beyond first aid. This might include special medication, poison ivy treatment, etc.<\/p>\n
23. Flashlight \u2013 Carry a flashlight and an extra set of fresh batteries.<\/p>\n
24. Blocks of Wood \u2013 Brink a few scraps of plywood measuring about about 10 to 12 inches square. You may need them to support your jack if you have to change a tire on the uneven ground. 2\u00d74 or 4\u00d74 blocks also come on handy.<\/p>\n
25. Lights and Markers \u2013 Make sure you headlights, taillights, and brake lights work. A ticket from local law enforcement can be a bummer. It\u2019s a good idea to carry spare bulbs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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