Ah, the great outdoors, the back of beyond, the wilderness, the boonies – whatever you want to call it, there’s something magical and awe-inspiring about the untamed world. And that’s why people love to explore it in their off-road SUVs. Whether you’re in your Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender or Toyota Land Cruiser – there’s nothing quite like taking on and conquering a landscape that will bite back if you’re not fully prepared and suitably equipped.
What do I need to go off-roading?
It’s vital that you invest in the best off-road gear, prepare your 4x4 for rough terrain, and make sure that you’re right as rain before you set off. Because being unprepared when it starts to rain will make you feel very un-right in pretty short order.
Here, Haynes has put together a comprehensive checklist that everyone planning to head off-road in their vehicle should adhere to. It covers essential off-road gear for beginners and experts alike, and tells you how to get your 4x4 ready for off-roading, as well as listing vital kit you’ll need should something go wrong.
So, simply make sure you tick off everything on the list, and your wild weekend will be one to be enjoyed, not endured.
First-Aid Kit
A home First Aid kit won’t necessarily do, so it’s better to get one that’s specifically designed for use during outdoor activities. This means that not only will you have the right equipment in the kit, but you’ll also have the enhanced durability and portability of a padded carrying case.
Food and Water
Don’t just take food and water for the trip, take food and water for the ‘what if’. So budget some extra of both for a few extra days. You should allot at least a gallon of water per person per day.
Blankets and Extra Clothing Layers
It might be nice and warm when you’re planning the trip in your backyard, but temperatures can vary hugely when you’re out in the back end of nowhere. And that’s even more the case if elevation is involved. So, make sure you take extra clothing and blankets for the trip. A blanket that reflects up to 90% of body heat will make you feel much more comfortable, while clothing that retains heat and wicks away moisture will also help you to stay warm and dry.
Shovel
If you get stuck, you’re going to need to move a load of dirt, and a shovel is a lot more efficient than your hands.
Flashlight or Headlamp
One of the joys of the outdoors is that at night it’s dark. And we’re not talking ‘streetlight dark’ either. No, we’re talking about the sort of dark that makes you question: “Have I been blindfolded?” So, you need artificial light, usually in the form of a head torch or a rechargeable camping lantern. Either way, choose one that’s bright and has a battery that will last as long as you need it to. And which can be charged up in the car.
Fire-Making Equipment
So there you are, in the middle of nowhere with a wheel hanging off. But you’ve been good, and brought water and raw chicken. Sensible. But how do you plan to cook that chicken? That’s why you need a reliable fire-making kit. After all, fire has been helping people cook and stay warm in the wilds for hundreds of thousands of years.
Fire Extinguisher
Off-roading can be hot work, for your vehicle as well as you, so make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand, just in case your car gets a bit too hot under the collar.
Rescue Essentials
The wilderness has many things – beauty, clean air, sounds of nature. One thing it tends not to have are cell towers, which means service is patchy at best. So you need a satellite phone or walkie talkies. There are also a number of offline communicators, including an ACR Bivy Stick or Garmin inReach Mini 2. These allow you to call for help even when out of cellular service range. They also offer location tracking and let you send out SOS alerts.
Repair Equipment
Of course, if you are off road and manage to break your vehicle, it’s best for all concerned if you can repair it yourself. For that, you need not only a load of knowledge, a Haynes manual, such as the new-style Haynes Service and Repair Manual for the Jeep Wrangler, and a comprehensive set of tools.
This set should include a pair of strong work gloves or mountain bike gloves to stop you from getting cuts. You should also carry sockets, ratchets, pliers, wrenches and screwdrivers. And probably a hammer. A big one. Duct tape will also be your friend should you damage bodywork.
And should you end up with a flat tire, you’ll need a quality high-lift jack and a full-size spare, plus a tire repair kit should you end up with a second flat. And how do you get air into your repaired tire? A foot pump would take way too long, so carry an electric inflator or compressor.
Battery charger/jump starter
The click of a dead battery is going to get any day off to a poor start, so make sure you take a suitably powerful battery jump pack with you. And perhaps invest in a solar charger, so you can keep the jump pack topped up.
Kit to keep you moving
The whole point of off-roading is to explore areas that haven’t really been explored before, which can mean you end up getting stuck. So, you need to carry kit that gets you un-stuck.
There are a number of kits you can buy, that contain a recovery strap, gloves, various shackles and tree-trunk protectors. Do some research beforehand to make sure you get one that works with your vehicle. You’ll also need a winch, because it’s essential in many situations.
Earth Anchor
Of course, a winch only works when you can attach it to a suitable anchor point, such as a tree or a boulder. But what if there’s nothing within reach? You need an anchor. An earth anchor can be driven into the ground and used as a solid winch point, so make sure you carry one.
Vehicle Recovery Boards
These are mats or boards that you can place just in front of the tire with no traction, and they’ll allow it to gain purchase and drive your vehicle forward. Better still, if you get a flat on soft ground, a vehicle recovery board can provide a strong and stable surface to put the jack on.
