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Must Have's
- Thread starter Dronco
- Start date
BadSquatch
Huge Member
Well let’s see, it kind of depends on what kind/difficulty trails you’re hitting. Here’s some of the things I carry.
- Tow strap and/or recovery rope
- Soft shackles
- Way to air up/down
- Radio (I would start with a dual band hand held that can do both 2 meter and GMRS)
- Some basic tools
- Shovel
- Extra food and water
- Small cooler for day trips, something larger or a portable fridge for more over-landing stuff
- Blankets
- Ratchet straps
- Tire repair kit
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I'm putting these in order of what I think is greatest to least important. When in doubt about any of this, buy from a reputable off-road specific vendor like the vendors that support this forum, or Off-Road Warehouse.
Fire Extinguisher:
The biggest that you can fit and make secure in an easy to access location. One on each side of the vehicle is uncommon and a good idea.
First Aid kits:
One for humans, one for animals if along with, and one for the vehicle. A first aid kit for a vehicle will be extra fluids, fuses, possibly some "mission critical bolts", maybe some sealants and hose clamps, etc.
Tires:
A quality tire pressure gauge - Something like this: https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=25352 In gauges you tend to get exactly what you pay for. A $15 tire chuck with a gauge from Harbor Freight is badly inferior to a gauge like above. I've bought those HF tire chucks before, and I always replace the gauge in them with one from McMaster. Viair's offering is likely better than the HF part, but not as good as the Longacre part. Buy the gauge with a range that puts your normal street pressure at between 1/2 and 3/4's of that range. So a 0-60psi range is about ideal for a roughly 30psi street pressure. Most gauges are the most accurate in the middle of their range.
Some kind of 12 volt electric compressor - I'll suggest one of the MV-50/1050 family as the lowest cost option with Viair & similar compressors being better but more expensive options. If it plugs into the lighter socket and doesn't have clips to connect directly to the vehicle battery you don't want it.
Automatic air-down tools are nice, but not a necessity. Those hose manifolds are painful and bulky - BUT if you have a locker in the rear axle it is advisable to have a hose to equalize the tire pressures on that axle when you're preparing to go back onto pavement. I used one of the self-coiling air hoses from Amflo with two self-retaining tire chucks for this.
Tire plugging kit
Food, water, & Clothing:
Stock the vehicle with extra of all of this. On long trips one of my defaults is several sets of clean, dry socks in doubled zip-lock bags. In modern terms it would be called a "bug-out bag" I guess, but I call it my "Boy Scout Bag" (i.e. "always be prepared"). The socks, first aid kit, compass, extra hats, clothing and gloves + too much else to list here all live in this day pack sized bag that stays in the vehicle. Search "Ten Essentials" for some input on what else should be in that bag or stash. Make particular note of the Eleventh Essential that some mention and others don't, TP. I keep mine in a zip-lock bag to keep it clean and still rolled up.
Radio:
see BadSquatch's suggestion above, that's just the tip of that rabbit hole. there are threads here to go into more detail. Don't worry about it being confusing, it sorts itself out with a little time and use, and there are plenty of knowledgeable folks who can help in the mean time.
Recovery Strap:
Note that there are two very different kinds of straps sold. One is a tow strap and these are not designed to stretch. The other is a recovery or "snatch" strap and they are designed to stretch. You want this latter type. Under no circumstances should you buy a strap that has metal hooks on it. Ever.
Shovel:
full size if possible, 'D' handle is a decent compromise, folding is a better than nothing option. If forced to go with the last, strongly suggest buying the shovel made by Glock. It is the best folding shovel that I've ever used.
It used to be that a Hi-Lift Jack always made these lists. In the hands of the unskilled or unknowledgeable in their use they are dangerous! In the hands of those skilled and knowing in their use they're still dangerous!
I'm sure others can add to these lists, but I should go back to work now.
Fire Extinguisher:
The biggest that you can fit and make secure in an easy to access location. One on each side of the vehicle is uncommon and a good idea.
First Aid kits:
One for humans, one for animals if along with, and one for the vehicle. A first aid kit for a vehicle will be extra fluids, fuses, possibly some "mission critical bolts", maybe some sealants and hose clamps, etc.
Tires:
A quality tire pressure gauge - Something like this: https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=25352 In gauges you tend to get exactly what you pay for. A $15 tire chuck with a gauge from Harbor Freight is badly inferior to a gauge like above. I've bought those HF tire chucks before, and I always replace the gauge in them with one from McMaster. Viair's offering is likely better than the HF part, but not as good as the Longacre part. Buy the gauge with a range that puts your normal street pressure at between 1/2 and 3/4's of that range. So a 0-60psi range is about ideal for a roughly 30psi street pressure. Most gauges are the most accurate in the middle of their range.
Some kind of 12 volt electric compressor - I'll suggest one of the MV-50/1050 family as the lowest cost option with Viair & similar compressors being better but more expensive options. If it plugs into the lighter socket and doesn't have clips to connect directly to the vehicle battery you don't want it.
Automatic air-down tools are nice, but not a necessity. Those hose manifolds are painful and bulky - BUT if you have a locker in the rear axle it is advisable to have a hose to equalize the tire pressures on that axle when you're preparing to go back onto pavement. I used one of the self-coiling air hoses from Amflo with two self-retaining tire chucks for this.
Tire plugging kit
Food, water, & Clothing:
Stock the vehicle with extra of all of this. On long trips one of my defaults is several sets of clean, dry socks in doubled zip-lock bags. In modern terms it would be called a "bug-out bag" I guess, but I call it my "Boy Scout Bag" (i.e. "always be prepared"). The socks, first aid kit, compass, extra hats, clothing and gloves + too much else to list here all live in this day pack sized bag that stays in the vehicle. Search "Ten Essentials" for some input on what else should be in that bag or stash. Make particular note of the Eleventh Essential that some mention and others don't, TP. I keep mine in a zip-lock bag to keep it clean and still rolled up.
Radio:
see BadSquatch's suggestion above, that's just the tip of that rabbit hole. there are threads here to go into more detail. Don't worry about it being confusing, it sorts itself out with a little time and use, and there are plenty of knowledgeable folks who can help in the mean time.
Recovery Strap:
Note that there are two very different kinds of straps sold. One is a tow strap and these are not designed to stretch. The other is a recovery or "snatch" strap and they are designed to stretch. You want this latter type. Under no circumstances should you buy a strap that has metal hooks on it. Ever.
Shovel:
full size if possible, 'D' handle is a decent compromise, folding is a better than nothing option. If forced to go with the last, strongly suggest buying the shovel made by Glock. It is the best folding shovel that I've ever used.
It used to be that a Hi-Lift Jack always made these lists. In the hands of the unskilled or unknowledgeable in their use they are dangerous! In the hands of those skilled and knowing in their use they're still dangerous!
I'm sure others can add to these lists, but I should go back to work now.
Just stumbled onto this and thought that I'd share it. No experience with this business, so please share your experience if you do buy from them. Their deflator looks to be a clone of the ARB deflator.
jacosuperiorproducts.com
Rapid Tire Deflators for Off Road Air Down
Shop certified accurate rapid tire deflators by JACO. We offer an award-winning collection of rapid tire deflators to quickly air down your tires before off road use. The tire deflator by JACO is designed, engineered, and tested in the USA.
jacosuperiorproducts.com
Buk_Yeh
Growing Member
Any specific suggestions for the handheld radio (#4 on @BadSquatch’s list)? I followed the radio threads down the rabbit hole and you weren’t kidding - it gets confusing quick. Any specific suggestions on which handheld one(s) to look into would be appreciated for us newbies.
BadSquatch
Huge Member
For a hand held I use the Baofeng BP-F8HP which is an 8 watt version of the UV5R which a lot of people have. You can find it for about $70 on Amazon here. I also have the programming cable, and the Nagoya NA-771 15.6-Inch Whip antenna. All in that's about $113. You need the cable to program the radio with software like CHiRP which I can't recommend highly enough.
CHiRP: https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
Programming cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUB0ONK/
$22.49
This would be what I would buy were I in the market today: https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-Portable-Rechargeable-Handheld-Extended/dp/B07VVG726G/
$32.19
It comes with an extended antenna, a 120 VAC charging base, a USB charging cord, and the 3800 mAHr battery. I'd be unlikely to ever use the other stuff that comes with it. It will very likely need to be "unlocked", see BadSquatch's post about how to do that.
Programming cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUB0ONK/
$22.49
This would be what I would buy were I in the market today: https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-Portable-Rechargeable-Handheld-Extended/dp/B07VVG726G/
$32.19
It comes with an extended antenna, a 120 VAC charging base, a USB charging cord, and the 3800 mAHr battery. I'd be unlikely to ever use the other stuff that comes with it. It will very likely need to be "unlocked", see BadSquatch's post about how to do that.
BadSquatch
Huge Member
That looks like a great deal!
It took me a bit to realize that the radio kit linked above has a battery with a direct charging jack, and that is where the supplied USB cord plugs into. It fits nowhere else.
It took programming from CHiRP just fine, and it also allowed the TX mod on the first try. I think that I'll use it in the Blanc-oh as a back-up HT to my Yaesu HT.
It took programming from CHiRP just fine, and it also allowed the TX mod on the first try. I think that I'll use it in the Blanc-oh as a back-up HT to my Yaesu HT.
jeff
Small Member
I agree with all the items listed and would just add a solid headlamp which comes in handy for trail repairs and something like a satellite communicator particularly if you're going deeper into the backcountry or just areas without any cell reception in case of serious emergencies. I bring a Garmin, but I think there are better options out now.
I also think it's a good idea to travel with TP or some equivalent…
I also think it's a good idea to travel with TP or some equivalent…
TP has been mentioned. The source of the famous "10 Essentials" for wilderness survival considered it to be the 11th Essential.
ntsqd said:
Ran across an item, or something like it, that should go in everyone's First Aid kit.
tickkey.com
Found both it, and chinesium rip-off's, on amazon. For the 50 cents difference I'll buy the original.
Tick Removal Tool For Pets & Humans | TickKey International Inc. - The Original TickKey™
Tick Key International makes the Original Tick Key™ tick removal tool for pets and humans. It is 99.9% effective in removing the whole tick without squishing or leaving behind dangerous germs!
tickkey.com
Found both it, and chinesium rip-off's, on amazon. For the 50 cents difference I'll buy the original.
Some updates for BBBB XXV:
I would now buy this tire pressure gauge / inflator: https://jacosuperiorproducts.com/co.../products/flowpro-tire-inflator-gauge-100-psi Can buy them off of amazon if you prefer. The tire chuck on them does not look too inspiring. Don't let that fool you, they work great. I'm used to paying more than that for a quality gauge, so I was expecting the gauge to not be terribly accurate or consistent. That has not been my experience with them. I've not done a timed test, but it feels like these re-inflate a tire faster than anything else that I have used in the past.
Shower curtain liner: Buy a cheap one or use one that has been removed from service and stash it in your rig. They make great ground cloths to lay on should you need to get under your vehicle and they will not absorb oil, coolant, brake fluid, or grease, which makes Leaving No Trace easier. Best is that they're cheap so if you trash it that's not a big hit. Amazon sells them 3 at a time for cheap.
On the subject of TP, I put a roll in each of our vehicles. More importantly, I put them in a heavy duty zip-lock bag first, and then put them in the vehicle. For decades the rule on the trail that we've used has been "Boys on the Left, Girls on the Right."
I would now buy this tire pressure gauge / inflator: https://jacosuperiorproducts.com/co.../products/flowpro-tire-inflator-gauge-100-psi Can buy them off of amazon if you prefer. The tire chuck on them does not look too inspiring. Don't let that fool you, they work great. I'm used to paying more than that for a quality gauge, so I was expecting the gauge to not be terribly accurate or consistent. That has not been my experience with them. I've not done a timed test, but it feels like these re-inflate a tire faster than anything else that I have used in the past.
Shower curtain liner: Buy a cheap one or use one that has been removed from service and stash it in your rig. They make great ground cloths to lay on should you need to get under your vehicle and they will not absorb oil, coolant, brake fluid, or grease, which makes Leaving No Trace easier. Best is that they're cheap so if you trash it that's not a big hit. Amazon sells them 3 at a time for cheap.
On the subject of TP, I put a roll in each of our vehicles. More importantly, I put them in a heavy duty zip-lock bag first, and then put them in the vehicle. For decades the rule on the trail that we've used has been "Boys on the Left, Girls on the Right."
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BadSquatch
Huge Member
You know what that "boys to the left and women to the right" rule exists? Because women are ALWAYS right! LOL At least that's what my wife tells me, and she's ALWAYS right!
SoCalBroncoLife
Small Member
I know it sounds like overkill for a newbie, but hear me out. When you’re out on trails—especially in places like Big Bear, Anza, or out in Utah—you’ll lose cell service fast. That’s usually when you need it most.
For me, Starlink has been a game changer:
If you’re just starting out, you don’t need it on day one, but it’s definitely something worth considering as you get more into longer trips or remote trails. Just passing along what I have learned.
For me, Starlink has been a game changer:
- Real-time maps and route adjustments when you’re off-grid
- Ability to check weather (which can change quickly in the mountains/desert)
- Emergency communication if something goes sideways
- Staying in touch with family so they know you’re good
If you’re just starting out, you don’t need it on day one, but it’s definitely something worth considering as you get more into longer trips or remote trails. Just passing along what I have learned.
BadSquatch
Huge Member
I have the Starlink in my Bronco, love it! The really cool thing is that when I’m not using it I can reduce the monthly bill to just $5.
SoCalBroncoLife
Small Member
Exactly! Then you can turn back on whenever you need it.
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