| Extinguisher: all
extinguishers have a label indicating what it is effective for... when
purchasing one for your vehicle it should have at least a B-C rating
meaning it is effective on Oils, electrical and solvents. Majority of
Automotive extinguishers are of a dry chemical type. Always make sure to
keep your extinguisher in a safe yet handy place. Rolling around on the
passenger seat where the kids can play with it or it can become a
projectile isn't ideal.
|
First Aid Kit: First Aid kit can be
the determination between going to the hospital for that thorn in your
backside or having a set of tweezers to pull it out. You can always create
your own First Aid kit and it can actually be better than buying one- just
remember to keep everything in a strong water proof container. Here are
recommended items:
Of course certain items
can be substituted and everyone has their own opinion on what should be in
a good First-Aid kit. I know it seems like a lot but when you don't have
it on the trail and need it- you miss it. |
| Decent Jack: For
a stocker a good jack can be your savoir off-road - Always make sure you
have a jack that can adequately reach the frame rail of your vehicle and that you
know how to use it properly. Later in the write up we will cover another useful
jacking tool the High Lift.
|
| Board: A board?... what do they mean bored? not that kind of bored! Even though you have a decent jack you need a solid base, no matter what type of jack it is. Its one of those deals where if you want to be able to jack the vehicle instead of drive the jack into the muck you need a solid base- and it really doesn't need to be big. Recommended size by most is a solid/strong non-bending material at least 3/4 inch thick and at least 8 X 8 in size. Actually a board can have many uses when not being used as a jack base.... good for sitting on for those trail lunches or good for throwing at people you dislike. |
| Tow Hooks: Someplace
that someone can tie off too to get your sorry butt out. Tow hooks should
be mounted to a strong point on your frame... for the more serious- a tow
hitch or receiver of some type or an aftermarket bumper that is strong and
ties into the frame of the vehicle.
|
| Yank Strap: No
matter how much you go off-roading and how invincible you think you are-
you will be calling eventually for a yank strap. A good heavy duty yank
strap can get you out the stickiest of situations.
|
| Shovel: Many of you wheelers and non-wheelers know what this is for - yup! burying dead animals! actually on the trail a shovel is a more effective tool than using your hands to dig that junk away from your tires. You can get nice compact shovels such as lawn and garden shovels or even folding camp shovels that are very easy to hide... makes it great when you have to bury that guy in your trunk. |
| Gloves: Its always handy to have a pair of leather or heavy gloves
for those times where you need to grab something hot, sharp, or frankly
anything you just don't feel like touching.
|
| Tools: Ok the verdict is still out on what tools to bring on the trail- and no matter who you ask, they are going to have a different answer and of course it is very hard to pack the kitchen sink in, so try to bring what you use most commonly or can be used many different ways. Items that are very handy are adjustable wrenches (more than one), WD-40 (this definitely has more than one use), A sharp but strong cutting instrument, multi-tip screwdrivers), prying tool (B.F.S), or my favorite multi-use tool the B.F.H. |
| Water: Just remember you never know how long you will be if you get stuck- it is always good to have water of some type or quantity. If not to quench your thirst... to quench the thirst of your ride (or friend's ride) if it springs a leak.... |
| Duct Tape: In
my personal opinion this is right next to being as important as the item
below this one. Duct Tape.... the ultimate tool! Great for holding things
together... temporarily fixing a hose... or getting back at your buddy for
eating your trail lunch and drinking the 5 gallons of water you brought
for yourself. ( I dare you to do a search on duct tape on the net )
http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/ |
| A Friend: We can't stress this enough - if your out in the boonies, whooping it up... your best bet- is a friend. Your friend will be there when you need to con someone to reach in under the mud to attach a yank strap to your tow hook... a friend will be there with the extinguisher when your ride decides to become a Car-B-Q. A friend will be there to suck the poison out of that mosquito bite and bandage the boo boo. And a friend will always be there to lend.... a glove. Just hope he doesn't remember what you did to him with the duct tape. |
| Come- A- Long: The poor man's winch... let's you be able to winch yourself out but by hand power on a ratchet operated cable. |
Hi Mom!
