The right off road tools aren’t just handy to have, but they really should be mandatory equipment for every 4×4 enthusiast who likes to explore far off the beaten path. And isn’t that the whole point of owning an off-road vehicle?
If you do regularly explore new areas, chances are you will eventually run into some trouble and end up very stuck, very lost or very hurt – possibly hours away from help.
Fortunately, with the right equipment, you can often help yourself. Here are 10 off road tools every explorer needs to have on board their rig…just in case.
Air Compressor
Dropping the air pressure in your tires is a great way to increase traction off-road — but what about when you get back on the road again? Driving at highway speeds with low tire pressure can lead to a blowout. A simple air compressor will get you aired up and ready to go, while a more elaborate unit can fill a tank to power air tools — a boon for repairs on the trail. You NEED one of these with you when you go off-road.
Hi-Lift Jack
If you do happen to get a flat off the beaten path, the spare jack that came with your rig probably won’t be much help – especially if you have big tires or a suspension lift. This is why we included a hi-lift jack on our list of essential off road tools. A Hi-Lift jack gives you the reach you need to get your rig off the ground in a pinch.
Fire Extinguisher
We’re of the opinion that every project vehicle should have a fire extinguisher, but for off-roading, it’s especially important — because if watching your rig burn miles away from the nearest fire department isn’t bad enough, starting a brush fire can really ruin your day. Buy an extinguisher and mount it within easy reach, but remember that if a fire gets out of control, keep yourself safe and don’t be a hero.
Recovery Straps
Every vehicle that ventures off-road, no matter how capable, can get stuck. Adding a set of recovery straps to your collection of off road tools is the difference between using your buddy’s rig to tow you out of the muck and waiting (and paying for) a tow. Along with the strap, you’ll need a good set of D-rings and solid, easy-to-access attachment points on the vehicle.
First Aid Kit
You know how, back before the days of modern medicine, people used to die from silly things like bad cuts? Well, out on the trail, miles from help, that can happen to you and your companions. No one should even think about venturing off road without a first aid kit. You don’t need to carry a portable emergency room, but add a comprehensive kit to your kit of off road tools and take a class so you know how to use it.
Tire Repair Kit
We all know Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong, it will. As in, when you get a flat and have to use your spare, you’re more likely to get another flat. Repairing a tire on the trail isn’t the simplest thing to do, but it can get you going in a real pinch — and the repair kits are reasonably priced. Why not get one just in case?
Recovery Ramps
As we’ve said before, even the most capable rig can get stuck. How are you going to get out? If traction is the problem, a set of recovery ramps (also known as extraction ladders) may be able to give you the grip you need to get moving again. They aren’t very expensive … especially compared to the cost of an off-road tow (assuming you can find one). Because they lie flat, you can easily store most of your off road tools on top of them in the back of your rig.
Paper Maps
In these days of hand-held and car-mounted GPS units, the paper map is an anachronism — but batteries can die and electronics can break down, while paper maps need nothing but a skilled eye to use. Carry a set for any trip you plan.
Compass
Because those paper maps work best when you know what way you’re pointed (and besides, it can never hurt to know which direction you’re facing), a vehicle-mounted compass is a good thing to have in your off road tools kit. We like to keep a hand-held one in the glovebox in case the vehicle is at an angle that makes reading the mounted compass difficult.
Hacksaw
Let’s be clear: We don’t recommend cutting up the landscape (tread lightly, and all that). But if you go far enough off road, you may be in a situation where you need to cut yourself out of trouble — or where you need wood to build makeshift ramps or a fire to keep warm (or to dispose of your rig when it really gets you angry). A small hacksaw is a great just-in-case tool.
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