Friday, May 19, 2006 at 16:48
Putting stuff on your your 4wd lasts forever. You can spend more than the value of a new car without trying. There is always something else that you need/want/would be handy/make life easier. It is often best to get bits as you really need them. A lot depends on what you are using your truck for. If you are going with others then as long as some one in the group has all the
recovery gear it is a good start. If you are going by yourself you need to be able to get yourself out of trouble (and if possible stay out of trouble in the first place). If the other half is over it then you need to put a positive spin on it. Mine got a choice of a winch or a shovel ie she has to help do any digging. She told me she does not dig so I got a winch and I don't get her to dig :-)
For my two cents I would be thinking along these lines:
1) Am I going somewhere by myself ie only one truck?
2) Am I really going somewhere out of the way?
3) Am I likely to do something wrong/risky and end up stuck somewhere?
Then
1) What do I need to keep us alive if I do any/all of the above?
2) What do I need to get the truck out of most predicaments?
3) What would help me keep my truck going?
This will give you what you really NEED as opposed as what you want.
So number one has to be a good
First Aid kit (training is also a bonus). You hopefully do not need it personally but if you happen apon an accident at least you can render some meaningful assistance, there may not be anyone else. Beats standing there watching some poor sod bleed to death.
If you are going by yourself anywhere out of the way a distress becon is a good last ditch just in case measure. They are not that expensive. You just need to be able to survive the two days it could take for someone to turn up.
So stuff to carry sufficent water and non perishable food is a must. We tend to carry at least 7 days worth of extra food. You need quite a bit of water. In very hot conditions you need 10l/day/person. A 10l container of water will not go far.
A good 4 wheel driving course will help you stay out of trouble and get out safely if you do get stuck.
Recovery gear (
winches and snatch straps) can and do cause seriuos injury/death if incorrectly used.
Now you can start on the stuff for the truck. Spares, extra tyre would have to come high on the list. These things keep your truck going. A good set of spares to cover most situations can cost a bit say $750.
If you are going with others an
UHF radio is good value and not that expensive.
If you are going to (may have to) drive at night then a bull bar is a good idea. It also gives you something to hang other toys on!
You can live without a
fridge for a while if you are in an area where
ice is easily available every few days.
As always only you know what you are going to do, and where you are going. You need to be prepared for the worst outcome not the best. Hopefully you never end up needing some of the stuff you have but you will be bloody glad you have it if you ever need it.
Hope that helps
Steve
AnswerID:
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