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2.11 Recommended Equipment List
NOTE: This list is extensive! This list should be used only as a starting point. You should create
your own customized equipment list based upon the trip, expected obstacles, your vehicle, and your
repair expertise.
REMEMBER: Only you can determine what is appropriate for each trip!
RECOVERY:
NAVIGATION/ASSISTANCE:
REPAIRS:
VEHICLE EXTRAS:
NECESSITIES?:
EXTRAS & CAMPING:
REMEMBER: Only you can determine what is appropriate for each trip!
RECOVERY:
Hi-Lift jack
Solid front and rear tow hooks:
Tow strap or recovery strap without metal hooks:
Winch or comealong:
Folding shovel
Jumper cables
Rescue beacon or locator beacon
Solid front and rear tow hooks:
On the front, the stock tow hook is acceptable, the "tie-down" eyes are not. The
"tie-down" eyes were meant to secure the vehicle while it was on the car carrier, they
were never designed to stand up to the huge forces that can be exerted during a recovery. The front
stock tow hook itself is sufficient, but not ideal.
The stock rear bumper and tow balls are NOT acceptable tow hooks. Stock bumpers can quickly become pretzels when used for recoveries and straps come loose from tow balls with amazing force.
Don't believe me??? Check out this video! (not work safe!)
If you have a hitch receiver, this is an acceptable tow hook:
If you don't have a rear hitch receiver but do have some way of attaching D-rings, these are also acceptable:
Attaching this to the rear bumper is not acceptable!
It needs to be attached to the frame or to something that is attached directly to the frame!
The stock rear bumper and tow balls are NOT acceptable tow hooks. Stock bumpers can quickly become pretzels when used for recoveries and straps come loose from tow balls with amazing force.
Don't believe me??? Check out this video! (not work safe!)
If you have a hitch receiver, this is an acceptable tow hook:
If you don't have a rear hitch receiver but do have some way of attaching D-rings, these are also acceptable:
Attaching this to the rear bumper is not acceptable!
It needs to be attached to the frame or to something that is attached directly to the frame!
Tow strap or recovery strap without metal hooks:
Tow strap? Recovery strap? What's the difference?
A tow strap has a fixed length. When using a tow strap, the recovery vehicle needs to exert a lot of force to unstick the vehicle. Doing so generally requires a jerking motion which places a lot of strain on both the struck vehicle and the recovery vehicle. Using a recovery strap results in neither vehicle from exerting a lot of forces. Generally the recovering vehicle just starts to move away from stuck vehicle. When the recovery strap has extended to it's maximum length, the recovery vehicle continues moving away. The recovery strap continues to stretch. Eventually the recovery strap will stop extending itself. At this point the forces gently pull the stuck out resulting in no jerking forces to either vehicle.
Notice the non-metallic loops stitched into the ends of the strap?
These are the perfect ends for any recovery item!
A tow strap has a fixed length. When using a tow strap, the recovery vehicle needs to exert a lot of force to unstick the vehicle. Doing so generally requires a jerking motion which places a lot of strain on both the struck vehicle and the recovery vehicle. Using a recovery strap results in neither vehicle from exerting a lot of forces. Generally the recovering vehicle just starts to move away from stuck vehicle. When the recovery strap has extended to it's maximum length, the recovery vehicle continues moving away. The recovery strap continues to stretch. Eventually the recovery strap will stop extending itself. At this point the forces gently pull the stuck out resulting in no jerking forces to either vehicle.
Notice the non-metallic loops stitched into the ends of the strap?
These are the perfect ends for any recovery item!
Winch or comealong:
If you are either deciding which winch to purchase or need to replace your current winch cable, based
upon the above comments, consider purchasing a winch you can use with a nylon cable or replace your
current metal cable with a nylon cable. By eliminating the metal cable, you will greatly reduce the
risk of injury in the event the nylon cable breaks.
Folding shovel
Jumper cables
Rescue beacon or locator beacon
NAVIGATION/ASSISTANCE:
Compass (be sure you know how to use it!)
GPS (be sure you have the background maps for the area you will be traversing!)
Maps (these will be used to SUPPLEMENT your GPS!)
CB Radios or GRMS/FRS radios.
GPS (be sure you have the background maps for the area you will be traversing!)
Maps (these will be used to SUPPLEMENT your GPS!)
CB Radios or GRMS/FRS radios.
Cell phones are generally unreliable in the areas you drive off-road!!!
REPAIRS:
First aid kit
Air compressor
Tire pressure gauge
Flashlight or headlamp w/extra batteries
Rope
Duct tape
Leather gloves (cables and hot stuff)
Electrical repair kit (with spare fuses!)
Bailing wire
Latex gloves (for grease)
8' x 10' tarp
Propane torch (spare propane cylinders???)
Acid core solder
Tool kit with everything and anything
Bring a spare everything
Air compressor
Tire pressure gauge
Flashlight or headlamp w/extra batteries
A spotlight that plugs into a 12-volt outlet may be an acceptable substitute but remember, it can
drain your battery!
Rope
Duct tape
Leather gloves (cables and hot stuff)
Electrical repair kit (with spare fuses!)
Bailing wire
Latex gloves (for grease)
8' x 10' tarp
Propane torch (spare propane cylinders???)
Acid core solder
Tool kit with everything and anything
Bring a spare everything
VEHICLE EXTRAS:
Spare tire
Extra gas cans (carried on the EXTERIOR of your 4x4; never in the interior)
Extra engine oil (3 or 4 quarts???)
Extra brake fluid
Engine oil filter (and wrench)
WD-40
Road flares
Spare fan or serpentine belts
Transmission fluid
Something to drain fluids into (don't leave them behind or on the trail!)
Extra gas cans (carried on the EXTERIOR of your 4x4; never in the interior)
Extra engine oil (3 or 4 quarts???)
Extra brake fluid
Engine oil filter (and wrench)
WD-40
Road flares
Spare fan or serpentine belts
Transmission fluid
Something to drain fluids into (don't leave them behind or on the trail!)
NECESSITIES?:
Food/water
Extra clothing
Rain gear / poncho (garbage bag?)
License, insurance card (passport???)
Cash (don't depend upon someone to take a check!) or credit cards
US Forest Service Pass or other pass for the area(s) you will be traversing
Extra clothing
Rain gear / poncho (garbage bag?)
License, insurance card (passport???)
Cash (don't depend upon someone to take a check!) or credit cards
US Forest Service Pass or other pass for the area(s) you will be traversing
EXTRAS & CAMPING:
Tent, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, tarps
Waterproof matches (in a waterproof container!)
Small fire log: Can be cut into pieces to last most of the night
Clothes dryer lint (makes a great fire starter!)
Tie downs
Coveralls & extra clothes
Roll of shop paper towels
Plastic garbage bags
Bear bag (and rope to suspend bag above the ground!)
Zip lock bags
Sunscreen
Bug repellant
Camera (spare film, spare battery(ies), and spare memory card(s))
Axe and/or machete
Lantern (and extra fuel for lantern!)
Cooking & eating utensils
Propane grill (and extra propane!)
Charcoal burner (and extra charcoal) and lighter fluid
Cooler (and ice packs to keep contents cool)
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, etc.
Prescriptions
Waterproof matches (in a waterproof container!)
Small fire log: Can be cut into pieces to last most of the night
Clothes dryer lint (makes a great fire starter!)
Tie downs
Coveralls & extra clothes
Roll of shop paper towels
Plastic garbage bags
Bear bag (and rope to suspend bag above the ground!)
Zip lock bags
Sunscreen
Bug repellant
Camera (spare film, spare battery(ies), and spare memory card(s))
Axe and/or machete
Lantern (and extra fuel for lantern!)
Cooking & eating utensils
Propane grill (and extra propane!)
Charcoal burner (and extra charcoal) and lighter fluid
Cooler (and ice packs to keep contents cool)
Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, etc.
Prescriptions
Frame last updated: January 11, 2009