It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of your first off-roading trip and overlook the fact that you may find yourself far from civilization, tools, and a tow truck. When embarking on a 4x4 adventure, it's essential to be adequately prepared for potential breakdowns or emergencies. Here's a quick checklist of the main essentials you must have when heading off-road:
Tire Plug Kit
A common mishap off-road is a flat tire. Carrying a tire plug kit is an excellent tool that can quickly patch up a hole in the tread of a tire. However, if there's a hole in the sidewall, the tire will need replacement—preferably before returning to paved roads.
This heavy-duty tire kit is great for off-road application and comes with a tire gauge:
Full-Sized Spare
Always carry a full-size spare (not a mini-spare) that matches the tire height of the rest of your tires. While purchasing five tires instead of four can be costly, the expense pales in comparison to the cost of finding a tow truck (assuming you have cell reception) to rescue you from a trail in the mountains. Before your trip, don't forget to check the air in the spare.
Air Gauge and Compressor
If you have the heavy-duty tire repair kit mentioned above, it will include a tire gauge. When four-wheeling, it's crucial not only to check the tire pressure before you embark on the trip but also to consider airing down the tires if the trail is rocky. When airing down, it's essential to have all tires at the same pressure, making a tire gauge necessary, especially considering how relatively inexpensive they can be.
A portable air compressor is a valuable addition to your toolkit. When airing down on the trail, the portable air compressor comes in handy for inflating the tires before returning to the pavement. In case you need to patch a tire, you'll also need to reinflate it. The portable air compressor conveniently connects to your vehicle's cigarette lighter and operates electronically to fill up the tires. While an air tank is an alternative, it is more suitable for reinflating a flat tire due to its limited storage capacity, which may run out if used to inflate all tires. Additionally, an air tank takes up considerably more space compared to a portable air compressor. Either way, having air available is vital.
Jack and Spare Tools
Building on the 'in-case-of-a-flat' idea, a jack and lug wrench are crucial. The scissor or bottle jack that typically comes with your vehicle may not suffice. Off-roading introduces variable terrain, and you might find yourself changing a tire in an off-camber area. In such cases, a Hi-Lift jack is indispensable. Hi-Lift jacks prove especially valuable for off-roading, particularly if you have oversized tires.
If you are tight on storage space, here is a hood mount for Hi Lift jacks:
In terms of spare tools, having a lug wrench and a lug key (if you have keyed lug nuts) is essential. Carrying these tools is generally standard practice for roadside flats. However, it's crucial to ensure that your lug wrench can effectively break the lugs loose. Some lug wrenches have short handles, and if you lack significant weight or muscle, you might not generate enough torque. In such cases, consider investing in a large breaker bar to make loosening lug nuts easier. Additionally, ensure you have the correct size socket for your lug nuts (typically 19mm - 24mm). If you're uncertain about the size, having a complete 1/2" drive rail of sockets can be beneficial, as they can serve for other components that might come loose, such as suspension bolts. For lug nuts, chrome deep wall sockets are the most suitable. Here are some references:
1/2" Drive Breaker Bar on Amazon - To break lug nuts loose
1/2" Drive Socket Set on Amazon - A basic deep chrome socket set that should have all of the possible sizes your wheels will need.
Tools
A very unfortunate happening of four wheeling is that components can break or fail. You don't have to be a master mechanic to figure and fix some small issues that can arise on the trail. The most basic tools that I would recommend are as follows (with links to examples on Amazon)
For a more complete tool set, it would be ideal to have a 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" ratchet and socket set with ratchets, extensions, spark plug sockets, and torx bits. For this you can buy pretty loaded tool kits such as this one from DeWalt which also comes with allen wrenches:
Some Jeeps use a lot of torx head bolts and GM vehicles can use some inverted torx bolts so you may want a Torx and E-Torx socket set such as this one:
A pry bar and short handle sledgehammer can be helpful, especially for bent brackets.
With all of these tools there is no reason you shouldn't be able to fix most basic on-trail issues you are likely to run into.
Zip Ties and Duct Tape
As silly as it sounds, zip ties and duct tape can get you through a lot when on the trail. While they may not be able to permanently fix anything, they can sometimes fix issues long enough to get you back to town.
For Recovery
While it may seem obvious, a tow strap can be a lifesaver if you find yourself stuck on the trail. This proves valuable whether you have a winch or not. In addition to a tow strap, a come-along can be incredibly useful for recovery, even when equipped with a winch. A come-along features a hand ratcheting mechanism with winch line on both sides. This comes in handy when winching a vehicle from one end while needing to prevent the other end from sliding off a ledge or obstacle.
Fluids
Ensuring you always have some oil and coolant on hand is a smart practice. This way, if you're in a rush and forget to check your vehicle's fluids before a trip, you're still covered. While having water as a substitute for coolant is acceptable in areas without freezing temperatures, it's crucial to have coolant available, as many vehicles can overheat on the trail. Keeping engine oil and automatic transmission fluid (for automatic transmission vehicles) is also advisable, especially for longer trips.
Be mindful of your fuel levels. If you're embarking on an extended journey, carrying fuel cans for emergencies can provide peace of mind.
First Aid Kit
While all vehicles should have a first aid kit, it becomes especially crucial during off-roading adventures when immediate help may not be readily available.
Safety notes
When winching and recovering vehicles, it's essential to be aware that wire cables can snap, posing a serious risk of injury or even death. To minimize this risk, consider replacing all metal wire cables with synthetic winch rope, a highly recommended safety measure.
Conclusion - What to Bring Off-Roading
Four-wheeling often brings memorable moments with great company, but it's crucial to be aware that emergencies and breakdowns can occur. Being prepared for these situations not only benefits you, but also those around you who may be less prepared. Equip yourself with a tire plug kit for quick flat tire solutions, and make full-size spare, high lift jack, and lug wrench essentials for any off-roading adventure. A comprehensive toolkit, duct tape, and zip ties can prove invaluable for on-trail repairs. Carry an air gauge and portable compressor for handling flats and adjusting tire pressure during off-roading. Include a recovery tow strap and come-along for essential recovery gear. Ensure you have the right fluids for your vehicle to address leaks or overheating. Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit in your vehicle at all times is crucial for handling emergency situations. Take your next adventure knowing you are fully prepared for whatever the terrain throws at you!