Section 6: What to bring
Be Prepared
When you head out on a desolate road or dirt trail into unpopulated wilderness, it is important to be prepared for as many contingencies as possible.
A good first aid kit is essential. Make sure that you add a few rolls of gauze wrap and a tourniquet. Out on the trail, YOU will be the first responder! Cuts and scrapes are common when someone slips or trips outside the Jeep.
Even with Garmin In-Reach or iPhone satellite options, help is still a long wait away; so you must be ready to “stop the bleed” until 911 eventually arrives. Unless they have helicopters, their 4x4’s will take just as long as yours did to arrive at the accident scene.
One of the advantages of being part of a caravan is that there is usually at least one trained first responder amongst us (nurses, firefighters, EMT/paramedics, former combat medics).
Some of the local offroading clubs conduct first aid and “stop the bleed” classes or just ask at a fire station for how to find a class.
“Classes taught by firefighter paramedics tend to be more practical to our situation than classes put on by Emergency Room nurses. The first responders are accustomed to stabilizing injured victims at the accident scene, as opposed to dealing with patients on a gurney or operating table in a hospital procedure room. ”
A strong shovel allows you to dig out along the tire path if you become stuck in sand, snow, or mud. Look for something with a decent length handle; the shortie “survival” shovels will wreck havoc on your back.
If you have storage space -- such as side or roof mounts, or a truck bed -- then just get a garden shovel at the hardware store.
Several companies offer modular shovels that break into short carry bags but assemble into a full-length unit. Be wary of the cheap, folding surplus store “entrenching tools”.
Not only will a long handle be easier on your back, but the longer reach will allow you to dig out from being high centered in soft material.
We like the shovel system sold by Iron Man. It is a beefy shovel that has the option of being assembled with a short or long handle.
Carry an all purpose (ABC) Fire Extinguisher. Many of us also carry containers of water, which we can use to extinguish campfires or general cleaning.
A pair of leather work gloves are important. Too many things that you might have to grab can be hot or have sharp burrs (such as recovery gear). Latex examining gloves or food handling gloves are convenient if you have to deal with messy engine fluids.
Flashlights, of course.
A soft bag with a change of clothing, in case what you’re wearing gets drenched or muddy or something. Some warm outer garments, such as fleece lined sweatshirts or thin jackets, since it gets cold at night or in higher elevations. Some sort of rain jacket or poncho. Don’t forget sunscreen and hand sanitizer.
Food and drink. Driving around all day, even with the AC set to 65 degrees, will still leave you dehydrated. Bring and drink lots of water, Gatorade, or electrolyte refreshers. Bring extra, in case you get stuck out there longer than expected. Snacks, sandwiches, candies or energy bars. Sodas will not rehydrate you. No alcoholic beverages unless you’re camping overnight.
Note: Some people might defend getting buzzed while sitting around a campfire at night before crawling into sleeping bags, but driving on the trail demands total attention and concentration. Our club has strict rules against any impaired driving.
Toiletries. Literally. TP, personal wet wipes, hand sanitizer, small baggies (for the used TP or wipes) and/or a tiny spade/shovel. Leave your modesty at home; we are all adults and aware of anatomy and bodily functions. Wear clothing that is easy to undo after you find a suitable bush 25 yards from the trail.
Tool kit. Carry at least the basics: pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, some sockets, and don’t forget a torx set for those special Jeep bolts. Fastening stuff, like duct tape and bailing wire. Have an assortment of thick bolts and nuts in case something in the suspension snaps loose. They don’t need to be OEM perfect fits; just something to hold things in place temporarily.
You can purchase general-purpose tool kits at Harbor Freight, Lowes, or Home Depot for under $50. If you are not versed in auto mechanics, then there probably is no need for an extensive array of tools… what would you actually do with them?
At a couple of offroad events, I did find a vendor (Red Dog Tools) who sold small tool rolls that were customized for specific vehicles (such a Wrangler JL) with proper sized wrenches and sockets. Although I hardly consider myself to be a mechanic, I did think that it was a good idea (as a Trail Leader) to have tools on hand in case someone else was better at fixing things on the trail.
General sundries. Depending on the itinerary of the event, you might want to pack folding camp chairs, a small drink cooler, some simple cooking utensils, paper towels, and trash bags.
A furniture moving blanket is multi-purpose: soft padding when working on your knees or under the jeep; as a weighted line damper when winching; a picnic blanket; and a first-aid litter.
Dress like a naturalist or experienced hiker!
We see a lot of newbies showing up for their first trail runs dressed for a day at the mall or a day at the park.
Know the environment in which you will be driving. At some point, you will get out of the Jeep and walk around.
No flip-flops or flimsy sandals; choose hiking boots or strong footwear. Even if you don’t hike to sightsee, you will have to traverse some terrain for a bio break. Open footwear is just waiting for small stones and icky crawly things to challenge your toes.
It may be tempting to wear short pants on hot days, but Mother Nature has cactus and shrubs that are no fun to walk through.
Loose fitting, long pants and long sleeves are the best choice. Look for UV resistant fabrics. A wide brimmed sun hat is important; make sure it has a “stampede string” or chin strap, because it will get windy at times.
Firearms?
This is a topic that most YouTube offroaders stay away from, because it is controversial and might have an impact on their social media presence.
In our Nevada jeep club, I would estimate that 20-30% of the drivers are armed, either carrying on their person or handy in their vehicles. We tend to travel in large groups, maybe 6-20+ vehicles, so it is extremely unlikely that we would be approached by evil intentioned. However, if you are traveling with only a couple of vehicles, or planning to camp overnight – the risk increases.
Personally, I carry concealed (yes, I have CCW permits valid in most states) along with a ranch rifle in my Jeep. Even Brad from the famous TRAILRECON (YouTube) carries, although he only discusses it in one video.
The argument in favor is pretty simple. We are going outside of civilization. There is no 911. Heck, there isn’t even any cell service. Even if you were able to get a message out, using your Garmin or iPhone satellite device, the calvary can’t get there for a very long while.
Realistically, you are not going to call 911 because another group of people may appear suspicious; only if it is clear that they are actively threatening you, and at that point it is a matter of minutes, not hours.
Depending on where you travel, you may also have to defend yourself against four legged wildlife (bear or wildcat country?) or have snakeshot handy for smaller varmints. Firing at wildlife should only be a last resort; bear spray is preferred. Shovels can be used to relocate small snakes humanely.
Check with the local Ranger office to learn what wildlife you should be aware of, as well as to inquire about firearms policy on the lands you will be exploring. (Do NOT carry a firearm into their government office).
I have spoken with several local Rangers (BLM as well as Forestry) and they tend to be supportive of being armed on the trails, especially the remote places. A few have confessed to coming across bodies or crime scenes, even in regulated wildlife preserves and national forests. The general rule is that it is okay to bring a firearm for protection, but not to shoot it in restricted areas (no target shooting). Keep your firearms safely holstered or stored in the vehicle; no gunplay or brandishing.
However, firearms are frowned upon in crowded National Parks, and officially you cannot carry a firearm into a Visitors Center (government building) – although you really may not have the option to hike a mile back to the parking lot to stow your weapon just so you can use the bathroom and buy a souvenir – but at least keep it hidden so as not to rattle the other tourists.
Make sure that you adhere to the local laws regarding firearms that apply to any jurisdiction that you will be driving through.
When in doubt, just politely ask any local law enforcement officer (do not be carrying when you approach him). Open carry might be fine, or some states insist on keeping things concealed. CCW’s may or may not be required. Some states are draconian. Some counties are okay to carry in the boonies, but not in urban areas.
Luckily, we tend to offroad mainly in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona – states which are gun friendly. Nearby California and Colorado are very restrictive.
“On one trip, we were driving back along the interstate after a trail run upstate in Nevada (near St George Utah) and noticed someone from our trail group stopped in the shoulder of the highway. We pulled off the road, a hundred yards past him, and began carefully inching our way back towards our comrade. A highway patrol vehicle pulls onto the shoulder right behind me. I was still wearing an exposed shoulder holster without a cover garment, fresh from the trail. The officer barely glanced at my holster, but realized that I was non-threatening, and had only stopped to see if my wife and I (both seniors) were okay. I explained about our friend being stopped just a short ways down the road. He wished us well and drove away. Never even asked about the weapon. Apparently, it was normal for hikers, campers, and offroaders to be armed in that neck of the woods.”
We haven’t discussed the more specific trail equipment yet. But unless this is your first run or two — you might need to begin shopping for a GMRS radio, a tire deflator, air compressor, or even some basic recovery gear. We’re going to discuss Recovery gear and Comms in the upcoming chapters.
Attend a Beginners or Training Run once or twice before you go out and purchase specialized offroading gear. When you go offroading with a club, the other drivers will be well equipped. See what they are using, and decide what appeals to you.
Stocking your vehicle with all of the goodies is an evolving process. Take your time, and don’t spend impulsively until you have done diligent research and asked advice from experienced offroaders.
