Whats in your offroad kit?

Jono

One of each of the above, perhaps the GPS is optional, but I personally reckon they're a very handy little unit.

Rule No. 1 is to be self sufficient. Most ppl are happy to help you with your OWN gear. But if there's no one around you need to be able to get out on your pat.

Rule No. 2 ... see Rule No. 1

Recovery points front and rear, 1 but preferably 2 snatch straps, a bundle of rated shackles, tree protector strap, shovel. I also carry a short length of timber to join the straps, but that's not essential ... unless you're in the desert, just saves scratching around for a stick.

Old sack as a cable brake, good jack and base plates ... I go for a high lift, but some ppl don't like them. Leather gloves, axe/tomahawk and/or bush saw.

The list goes on and I've probably forgotten something ... and that's just the recovery gear part.

Bloody expensive pastime hey??

Cheers

Jono....Click on my Rig Pic.....detailed list

Jono, reckon that Willem has the long list I have the shortlist on mine but a longer list of all my travelling inventory that we use if you need that.

Different depending on the type of trip IM doing..

Day trip, weekend, long weekend, night run etc...

Mate,
All that stuff is good to have (it must be cos I've got it all + more)........

But.......................

The most essential thing to have is a HUGE DOSE OF COMMON SENSE.

That way, it'll be unlikely you'll get yourself into the brown, yukky stuff (I'm not talking about mud either) in the 1st place. In my case, I often forget to pack the huge dose and that's why I have to carry the other "important" stuff. All my gear lives in the truck 24/7. Fridge is always on with some drinks in it. Straps, shackles, axe, lump of wood, gloves, overalls, large first aid kit, torch (dolphin re-chargeable) + 2 versa-lites etc all live in cargo drawer. Compressor is hardwired in the back and plumbed in for airlocker and horns.

Another item which I consider virtually mandatory (in a wagon) is a cargo barrier.

Cheers,

Roachie

Jono,

Exploreoz have done some lists for these things. Click on Vehicle requirements then Recovery gear.

have fun

andrew

You must start with a Snatch Strap and two rated shackles. Then do a 4wd training course. These are run by state organisations eg VAFWDC in Victoria and you will learn the basics of four wheel driving. This will enable you to decide what you need to take. What you need depends on many things and you will learn that from a course and experience. Just by way of example, a compressor and a tyre gauge are essential for sand driving. Chunky mud tyres are not the best for a beach. A winch is very useful if you intend tackling mud. Leave your road tyres at home for that trip. You don't need a fridge for a day trip to the snow, but it's very useful for a trip across the Simpson Desert. Having said that friends travelled across the Simpson with us and didn't take a fridge and managed very well. Getting the idea? Learn about 4wding first then tailor what YOU want and need according to the trip. Mind you in a Jeep I think the two major issues are range and load space for long trips. I'd be looking at extending the fuel capacity to something like the 180l in a Prado as a minimum. Good luck and you'll enjoy it!

G'day jonojeepster, whether you've got it all, or not enough. You'll always want more. Pack for 'your' individual needs then add what you don't usually take.

Jono,

In my way of thinking, none of the items you mention are anywhere close to being at the top of the list.

Consider your typical off road trip and look at the potential consequences of the things that could go wrong. Then think about the things you will need to reduce or eliminate those consequences.

You will probably come up with one of the following at the top of the list:
First Aid Kit
Sufficient Water
Emergency Communications

All of the items you suggest will provide little help in a life-threatening situation. They will of course be of benefit for many of the more common situations you will find your self in, but given a risk based perspective, they are all “Nice-To-Haves”.

Food for thought.

Pluto

There is no end to a list if you really want to be self suficiant have a semi following you but for all that the first thing to start with is a shovel, then pick out of all the lists what you need for your trip you may even leave so behind when with group as you can split the load between you, lastly the common sence peice should also start when packing, i carry far to much to my mind but on last trip used nearly all of it

frank

The most important things to have are:
4x4 training
A well maintained car
Company (someone to pull you out)
Sense of humour & lots of patience
& a pair of sunglasses as it's always late when you're going home & the suns bound to be in your face.
(notice the GPS didn't make the list) Cheers Craig.......................

Jono,
All of the above, and as Roachie said a Fire Extinguisher. If you have a fire in the vehicle all will be lost. The fire extinguisher should be close to the driver, on the floor near the seat, not in the back attached to the cargo barrier for all to see.

Wayne

Jono,

Water, matches, first aid kit and EPIRB........... then a bunch of other stuff depending on what I am doing.

Hugh

Jono,

I have a St John Ambulance "Off-road" first aid kit. Comes in a plastic carry case with handle, about the size of a small tool box. The kit is very comprehensive and from memory was not all that expensive. I haven't had to use it yet but it lives in the car. Have a simpler kit that my wife carries in her car.

I won't list all the bits but main things are: first aid books; vials of general wound irrigation fluid; vials eye irrigation fluid; thermal blanket; field dressings; triangular bandages; elastic bandages, crepe bandages, eye patches; sterile dressings; adhesive tape; scissors; tweezers; burns sheets; safety pins; pain relief tablets; disposable glove; antispetic cream; bandaids; stingoze; etc

Regards,
Hugh