[PhotograJeep]

Here is an exhaustive list of things to do and tools to bring prior to and during an offroad expidition. Prior to telling me that it is too much stuff, please read over it anyways, because it isn't a rule, it is a guide. It jogs your memory and you can decide what to bring. If you can think of other stuff, I will update this post. Wonder if this will be a sticky...


Basic Tips

Always travel in groups of 2 or more vehicles
Always alert someone back home where you are going and when you expect to return
Take at least a basic supply of tools and gear (see The Basic, Minimal Offroad Checklist)


Pre-departure Maintenance Checklist
Check engine oil
Check transmission oil
Check brake fluid
Check radiator coolant
Check windshield wiper fluid
Check fan belts
Check hoses
Check air cleaner
Check seat belts
Check tire air pressure (air up to recommended pressure for highway driving, air down at trail head, air up prior to trip home)
Check for tire wear or damage
Tighten drive shaft u-bolts
Check and tighten lug bolts
Check for frame cracks
Check brake pads & shoes (adequate braking pad material, in good condition and without contamination)
Check for loose bolts or nuts throughout vehicle
Grease all fittings (u-joints, steering)
Check gear oils: transfer case/differentials, replace if necessary
Check Winch for proper operation, check winch cable for kinks, frays or damage, straighten winch cable if necessary
Check shocks




The Basic, Minimal Offroad Checklist
The minimal list is the basics that you should always carry in your vehicle when offroad. These items are good to have in the vehicle at all times.

First Aid Kit (See Safety and Survival below)
Basic Personal Essentials (water, food)
Spare Tire, Full Size
Jack and tire iron to change your tire
Tow strap
Tree saver
Come-alongs
Basic Tool Kit
Spare Key for vehicle




Safety and Survival
The First Aid Kit
First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can buy them, or you can make your own kit. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items, such as medications.
Here are suggestions for the contents of a first aid kit:

Activated Charcoal (use only if instructed by Poison Control Center)
Adhesive Tape
Antiseptic Ointment
Alcohol swabs, individually wrapped
Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
Blanket
Cold Pack
Disposable Gloves
Gauze Pads and Roller Gauze (assorted sizes)
Hand Cleaner
Plastic Bags
Scissors and Tweezers
Small Flashlight and Extra Batteries
Syrup of Ipecac (use only if instructed by Poison Control Center)
Triangular Bandage
Burnaid gel
Snake Bite kit
Disposable emergency blanket
Instant Cold pack
Instant Hot pack
Medications:
Anti-diarrhea medication, Tylenol ( fever reducer), Ibuprofen (Nuprin, Motrin, Advil) inflammation reduction, sprains bruises, etc, Benadryl for mild allergic reactions, Epinephrine in the form of an Epi Pen to treat more serious allergic reactions that might otherwise be fatal.


Safety Items

Safety Glasses
Leather Gloves
Fire Extinguisher - Should be mounted in the vehicle in an easily accessible location.
Flares
Tarp
flashlights
matches / lighter
Basic Personal Essentials

Water - At least one Gallon per person, per day if not more. Drier, hotter climates may require more. Remember: Alcohol doesn't hydrate. In fact alcoholic beverages dehydrate since it take more water to metabolize alcohol than the beverage contains. Plus it may cause you to require the above mentioned First Aid Kit.
Food - Bring food for twice the amount of time you are planning on being gone. Should you be delayed and have to spend a night out on the trail, you wont have to worry about going hungry. Good ideas for trail food: trail mix, beef jerky, fruits, dry/canned food, etc.
Extra Cloths - Nobody likes to sit in wet cloths or an extended period of time.
Personal items - This includes toilet paper, anti- microbial hand cleaner, etc
Sun block
Rain Jacket
Communication devices - Cell Phone, CB Radio, GMRS/FRS radios
Power inverter if necessary (e.g. Cell phone recharger, battery recharger for communication devices and camera)
Trash bags - Keep your trails clean
Maps, information about the area
Compass or GPS
Water purification tablets
Survival - Seasonal Specific

Winter

Extra clothing
Warm outer layers (jacket, wind breaker)
Head gear (warm hat, hooded jacket)
Emergency blanket (compact survival type)

Summer

Sun Block
Insect repellant
Sunglasses



Beyond the Basic Offroad Checklist
What goes beyond the basic checklist are items that depend on many factors. Factors like what form of offroading you will be doing, your driving style, the terrain you will encounter, how much room you have for packing gear, how remote you will be traveling, how long you will be gone as well as many other factors you should consider. However three primary things you should gear up for are Safety and Survival, Vehicle Recovery and Vehicle Breakage.



Vehicle Recovery
Recovery Items

Hilift Jack
Tow straps - 2 or more, 2 inch width or wider, 20 foot or longer
Tree saver
Come-along (one or more)
D-rings, Shackles
Shovel
Chainsaw and bar oil, 2 cycle engine oil, spare chain (can be handy in recover situations, as well as for trail clearing on wooded trails)
Winch Kit: tree strap, hi-lift jack, snatch block, pickle fork, shackle, gloves
Pullpal
Snow tire chains (if tires don't cut it)


Tools

Basic Tools
Basic tools are the versatile, essential tool sets that consist of a variety of sizes and combinations of commonly used tools such as socket sets, wrench sets, Allen wrenches, Torx sets and screw drivers. Your tool sets should cover the variety of sizes found in your vehicle. Regardless of whether your vehicle is American made or an import 4x4, when it comes to socket sets and wrenches, it's sometimes wise to carry standard and metric socket since sometimes there are a mix of both standard and metric on custom vehicles not to mention helping a fellow 4wheeler.

Complete Socket Set with SAE (standard) and Metric with 3/8" and 1/2" drives. Deep and standard sockets.
Crescent, open end combination box wrenches SAE (standard) and Metric
Allen Wrenches
Torx sockets (especially if you own a Jeep)
Standard & Phillips screwdrivers, large, medium, small

Versatile Tools
Versatile tools are those that have many uses.

Large Hammer (a.k.a. the "BFH")
Pliers (various sizes)
Needle Nose Pliers
Vice Grips, various sizes
Large channel-lock Pliers
Pipe wrenches - having 2 medium of these can be useful for tie-rods.
Utility knife or razor blades
Crescent wrenches (medium & large)
A BIG pry bar or length of strong metal pipe, inside diameter of pipe large enough to slip over a wrench or socket drive for extra leverage.
Magnet

Specialty Tools

Snap ring pliers
Air Pressure Gauge
Portable air pump
Jumper cables


Additional Items
Versatile Items

Duct Tape
Bailing wire
wood blocks - Useful as chock blocks, jacking platforms, ramps, suspension supports (for broken torsion bars)
Bungee cords, several in multiple sizes - good for securing gear, temporary repairs, etc.
Rope lengths
Super glue
Epoxy
Tie wraps
rags
Work Gloves, leather


For the Vehicle
Fluids

Engine Oil
Brake Fluid
Power steering fluid
Automatic transmission fluid
Coolant or Water
Bearing Grease
WD-40
Starter Fluid
Extra gas
Funnel, siphon hose
Spare Parts / Repair Items

Lug Wrench
Extra Fan / serpentine belts
Hoses, fuel line, coolant hoses
Spare Tire
Tire repair kits, plugs
Extra Lug nuts, tire star wrench or lug key with key socket
Cotter pins / keys - various sizes
Valve stems, Valve stem remover
Nuts & bolts assorted standard and metric sizes
RTV or Hylomar HPF - form-a-gasket
Radiator stop leak - silver flakes in tube
Spare Hub (and hub fuses if applicable).
Electric fuel pump
Coil / electronic ignition
Spare Universal Joints (U-joints for drive shaft & axles)
Spare Drive Shaft (rear and front)
Extra spark plug wire (size of longest wire)
Spare points
Electronics Repair Kit

Volt ohms meter (multimeter)
Wire cutters / wire crips / wire strippers (multi-tool)
Spare fuses of all sizes and types used in your vehicle
Electrical tape
Spare wire - lengths of various gauges
Spare switches
Spare relay if you use relays
crip on ends (male and female, various gauges)
Small pocket sized needle point blow torch (handy for soldering wire)
Flux core solder for repairs
Wiring Diagram of your vehicle


Expanded List

The Expanded list includes items for the extreme wheeler with tools and gadgets that you may want to consider if you are serious about offroading.

Winch and Winch Accessories
Onboard Welder, welding supplies and welding gear
Onboard Air
Spare axles (rear left / right, front left / right)
Spare tie rod assemblies (tie rod, drag link, ball joints, ball joint nuts and cotter pins)
Spare Idler Arm
Parts that have broken twice before (if you can't carry it, you should have upgraded it)

Camping List for Extended Stay or Remote Excursions
Maps, information about the area
Camera
Compass or GPS
Duct Tape
Flashlight
Propane Lanterns
Mosquito repellant
Lighter, matches
Firewood
A knife of some sort
Toilet paper
Towel
Water purification pills
Backpack/sacks
Cooler with beverages
Cooking Pans for breakfast
Paper plates
Paper towels
Folding camping chairs
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad or air mattress
Stove or grill and fuel
Tarps, lots of tarps
Tent(s)
Bathing suit
Flip flops or swimming shoes (no bare feet while swimming)
Funky fishing hat
Hiking boots
Rain jacket
Sunglasses
Sunblock
Binoculars
Bottle opener
Cooler cup
Jacket
Pocket knife
Snacks
Trash bag
Water
Extra keys
Compass
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses and/or goggles
Ice and ice chest or cooler
Camera, case, film and batteries
Maps: Sidekick Off Road Maps, state, county, Forestry, BLM Desert Access Guide, etc.



25 TOP TIPS TO DO
BEFORE GOING OFFROAD


Check the Basics - Check all your fluids -coolant, oil, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, ATF, differentials, etc. Make sure there are no leaks, everything is at the proper level, and carry extra fluids just in case. Also check the air filter and the air filter box for debris. Also, if you are aware of any mechanical or electrical problems with your 4x4, repair them before hand.

Check the Tires - Check the condition of your tires, including the spare. Be sure they are all inflated to the proper highway speed pressures. Take note of your tread and think about the terrain you will be traveling on. Are you ready for that deep mud hole with that tread?

Ball Joints - Check all your ball joints, tie rods ends and wheel bearings by jacking up and securing the front of your 4x4. Grab the tire by the and at the top and bottom, and check for any excess movement by rocking the wheel in and out. Do the same by rocking the tire side to side. Any excessive free play should be checked out by a qualified mechanic. Also check the rear in the same manner. In solid rear axles you're checking for worn bearings and other damage.

Shocks - Check your shocks for signs of leakage or damage or just plain worn out. Your going to need those shocks.

Plan the Trip / Inform Others - Tell those that should know where you are going, when you are leaving and when you’ll be back. Let them know when they should start to worry about you if they haven’t heard from you. Give them contacts in case they need them. Prepare your trip. Have a map of the area you are going to and how you should get there (and home again).

Weather - Watch the weather for the region you are visiting and the route along the way. Be prepared with the appropriate clothing and protective gear (rain jacket, hats, sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen). Pack extra clothing in case you get wet or it gets a little colder than expected. Even if you are not "planning" to stay the night, its good to have a sleeping bag. Its better to be over prepared than under prepared.

Necessities and Nature's Calling - Bring a roll of toilet paper packed in a air tight zip-lock plastic bag. In fact, ALWAYS carry a roll in your vehicle. When you need it, you’ll thank yourself for putting it there.

Communications to the World - Pack a cell phone and give it a full charge before departing. Pack the phone car adapter or the 120 volt charger along with a power inverter. When you're remote and offroad, you can still find a signal even if its atop a ridge or up a tree. Be aware that if your are out of signal range, your cell phone will be hunting for a signal and this will deplete your cell phone's battery quicker than just sitting in standby when in range.

GPS Navigating - A handheld GPS is a great thing to have. Prices have come down to the point that if you spend any time in the woods or off the road, you should have one. Hand-held units are easy to operate and once you are familiar with it, it can be a valuable tool to get you places. Should a real emergency arise, you'll learn quickly how valuable they can be. Bring spare batteries in a zip-lock bag and a car adapter for the GPS unit.

Communications Vehicle to Vehicle / Person to Person - Handheld Family Radio Service (FRS) walkie-talkies are very handy and inexpensive. They have great range and are very portable. Whether on foot or in the vehicles, it makes good sense to carry one. And communication can add to the fun and in the case of an emergency where the you need to temporarily split up the party, you do no want to be out of touch. If you have to separate, stay in range. CB Radio's also fall in this category but are less portable (most units stay with the vehicle) and the range is sometimes shorter than FRS (and the GMRS frequencies on more FRS radios) depending on the radio and the antennas.

Food / Water - Bring plenty of food and drink. Even on the short trips. Bottled water, energy bars, and dried fruit, sports drinks, anything that has compact energy are good items to pack. Pack items that do not need refrigeration. Avoid salty foods such as chips and salsa, beef jerky, unless you have plenty to drink. And no, beer doesn't count. In fact it takes water to metabolize alcohol so the beer and liquor will dehydrate, not hydrate you. Alcohol is never a good idea when you have to think clearly.

Top off the Gas - Fill the gas tank prior to every trip. When you reach your destination, top it off again before hitting the trail. The last thing you want to do is start worrying about running out of gas while offroad. Remember the One-Third/Two-Third Rule: Use one-third of a tank to get where you are going and save two-thirds for getting out. If your fuel tank doesn’t have the capacity for the offroad portion of the trip, carry extra fuel or re-think your route.

Transporting Gas - Always carry your extra fuel outside the vehicle. Fuel containers have vents and gasoline fumes are explosive and toxic.

Jumper Cables - Have a good set of jumper cables with heavy-gauge wire and quality connectors.

Recovery Straps and Come-Alongs - Bring at least one recover strap, preferably 2 or more and make sure you have a place to hook it up on your vehicle front and rear. Also get a good come-along if you don't have a winch. A High-Lift jack also doubles as a come-along and a jack (and lots more). Its also good to have extra pieces of recover equipment such as a D-ring or two and a tree saver. If you have a winch, make sure you have winch related equipment such as a snatch block, gloves, tree saver, Pull-Pal, etc.

Belts and Hoses - Check all your belts and hoses, and carry spares. The lower radiator hose is the one that usually gets damaged while off-roading, so ensure that you have a spare. Alternator/water-pump belts are the most important. Newer vehicles often use serpentine belts. While much less prone to failure, they can be difficult to change. The are also expensive, but carry one. Replacing an old serpentine belt and saving the original as a spare is a good idea.

Jack - Make sure you have a working jack and know how to use it. A High-Lift jack is a great universal tool and also doubles as a come-along (and lots more).

Spare for the Spare Tire - If you have room, carry a second spare wheel and tire. At the very least, carry a repair kit just in case. Nothing is worse than getting a second flat tire on the same trip.

Cold Weather Wheeling - If there is even the remotest possibility of snow, or if you will be at high altitude, carry tire chains for all four wheels and know how to install them. Don’t forget the chain tensioners, which look like big rubber bands with hooks. Remember that the chain tensioners will deteriorate over time, so check them periodically for cracks and splits.

Tool Kit - Carry a tool kit that covers the basics of your vehicle. Put your own together, don't use one of the Christmas gift kits that are junk in a pouch. Carry quality tools. See this checklist

First Aid - Carry a well equipped first-add kit. See this checklist

Emergency Kit - Carry an emergency kit that covers situation beyond first aid. This might include special medication, poison ivy treatment, etc. See this checklist

Flashlight - Carry a flashlight and an extra set of fresh batteries

Blocks of Wood - Brink a few scraps of plywood measuring about about 10 to 12 inches square. You may need them to support your jack if you have to change a tire on the uneven ground. 2x4 or 4x4 blocks also come on handy.

Lights and Markers - Make sure you headlights, taillights, and brake lights work. A ticket from local law enforcement can be a bummer. It’s a good idea to carry spare bulbs.


info from Offroaders.com Source for 4x4 off-road trail reports, tech articles, 4x4 clubs, Product Reviews

[cidd]

This may look like a lot of stuff to carry but in reality its not I carry good tool kit / large first aid kit / firer starter supplys / water treatment tabs / good jack!!! this is a must / 1 change of cloths and extra jackets/ 2 blankets/ 2 pair of leather gloves/ small hand saw- machetti / jumper cabels / flashlights- 1 charges off the jeep and 1 hand crank- cold old batteries suck / 1 set of hoses-1 belt-and 1gall antifreez / knife-tape and other odd& ends This is in my jeep at all times and fits in a plasit tuffy box 12"x24"x24". Cost $50 had to buy the box and the firstaid kit the rest of it I had.The FIRSTAID kit is not the item to be CHEAP on a $30 firstaid kit is not out of line dont think someone else will have one or be close enough to get it to you.There are pleanty of places to get a good one it may save someones life like yours!!!

[energy0uth]

awesome write-up...I had seen a post like this before but this is 10x better.

[FmrVette]

I piece together my own first aid kits. One of the areas where you can cut costs without reducing functionality is to buy large boxes of band-aids, large bottles of Tylenol, etc. and then divvy the contents up into smaller kits for home use and vehicle use.

Remember that medicines expire - go through your kit(s) on a regular basis, replace any that are near their expiration date.

One item frequently overlooked is something like OraGel - a medicine which immediately numbs an aching tooth. If you're out in the bush and lose a filling (hey, these Jeeps ride hard ) having a way to alleviate the pain can be a blessing.

(Actually, I don't off road. But a well stocked first aid kit can be very handy at a little league soccer game or at a Holiday Inn after too much pizza and liquid refreshment ). I've used mine at parks (kids falling off of swings), concerts (adults falling out of chairs ), etc.

[ClimbStuff]

A Hatchet, Machete, and a Survival Knife are always nice to have. May never need them, but better to have and not need, then need and not have.

[Unlimited04]

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f27/off-road-tips-techniques-808434/

[fishinjeeper]

wow. i love the write up. but where do you put all that...

[Mike in IL]

I was wondering the same thing. He must tow a covered trailer. Shucks, me, the wife, maybe one passenger, a couple of jackets or coats, Jeeps darn near full. I have recovery gear behind the rear seat, and some tools, fire ext., 1st aid kit etc. I worked as an EMT for a number of years, his list looks like what we had on the Unit, and it was packed.. and had quite a bit more room than my 04 TJ. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be able to carry all that stuff, simply can't. Nice list though, thanks for sharing..

[karlo]

Aside from bringing those important stuffs, there are simple off-road trail repairs that you should know.

[PhotograJeep]

In another forum I got a lot of bad replies to this. I was like dang, back up a little. I am NOT telling people to bring all of this stuff. I don't and neither should you. You CHOOSE what you bring. Like my post said,"it is to jog your minds of things that you may not think of otherwise.". People asked why I didn't just put a link instead of the list...because many will graze over the link, and here I can add your awesome suggestions to the list. I know it is a hefty post, but that is why I put it in the general forum. Thanks for the comments and I will update the list soon.

[Fizzle1979]

I didn't see gun mentioned on the list. ha