Recommended gear for new wheelers

[TBird]

I was reading in the Trail Rides>GWNF Trail Ride 02Feb08 Forum a list of what to bring. Not to sound like a Noob but to wheeling that is what I am and I am very concerned about getting stuck, fires and emergencies. I have 3 boys that I have no doubt as they get of age will want to go wheeling with me when I go so this has really got me thinking.

To best be prepaired (not just for me but all noobs to wheeling) what is a good list of items to have when going wheeling. I can already see somethings from the GWNF Trail Ride that I would not have thought of to bring.

What do the experienced wheelers think are "MUST HAVES" when wheeling?

Thanks

[Pacifier]

The following is the minimum equipment you must have present on/in your vehicle

1. Full Size Spare Tire (each veh)
2. A jack capable of lifting a wheel off the ground (each Veh) (HiLift group)
3. A tow strap (group)
4. Tow Hooks Front and Rear (each veh)
5. A 4WD vehicle in good working order (each Veh)
6. First Aid Kit (basic - each veh, bigger - group if EMT)
7. Fire Extinguisher (each veh)
8. CB (recommended each veh) FRS/GMRS (recommended - talk around)
9. Tools and fluids (each veh)
10.) GPS \ Cell phone

Other:

Recommended standard equipment list, kept in the vehicle at all times.

Flashlight and spare batteries.
First Aid kit.
Food and Water
Tarp/Poncho. (Shelter)
Lighter/Matches. (Fire)
Fire Extinguisher.
Basic Tool Kit.
Knife/Leatherman Tool.
Spare tire, Jack, and Lug Wrench.
Leather Gloves.
Tow Strap.
Spare Key.
Paper Towels&Toilet Paper.
Sun Glasses / Perscription Glasses.
Seasonal additional clothing.

A good trail repair kit contains:

Standard and Phillips Screwdrivers. (Various Sizes)
Allen Wrenches. (Standard and Metric)
Large Socket Set.
Pliers. (Standard and needle nosed)
Wrenches (Cresent and Open end combination box, standard and metric)
Vice grips, various sizes.
Channel-locks. (Large)
Torque Wrench.
Pipe Wrenches x 2.
Hammer (All types)
Prybar(s)
Bolt cutters.
Sledge (Small)
Files (Various)
Razor Blade Knife.
Hack Saw with additional blades.
Electrical Tool Kit.
Tire Patch/Plug Kit.
Jumper Cables.
Duct Tape.
Electrical Tape.
JB Weld.
RTV. (Gasket Maker)
Bailing Wire.
Letherman Tool (Wave)
Tire Lug Wrench.
Tire Pressure Gauge.
Fix a Flat (Four Cans)
Zip Ties.
Assorted sizes of hose clamps.
Assorted sizes of nuts and bolts.
Air Pump. (OBA)
Rags.
Funnel.
Bungee Chords.
Ratchet Straps. (Numerous for lashing gear, field repairs, etc.)
Large Shackle to remount tires.
Cotter Pins.
Radiator Stop Leak.

Electrical Repair Kit:

Multi Meter.
Wire Cutter/Crimper/Stripper Tool.
Electrical Wire. (Various Gauges)
Electrical connectors. (Various Gauges)
Electrical Tape.
Fuses (Various Sizes and Types)
Electrical switches.
Electrical Relays.
Soldering Iron and wire.
Zip Ties.
Wiring diagram of vehicle.

Spare Parts / Field Repair Items:

Hoses (Siphon, Radiator, Fuel, to fill Diff, etc.)
Serpentine Belts.
Lug Nuts.
Nuts and Bolts. (Various Sizes Standard and Metric)
Universal Joints (Drive Shafts and Axles)
Valve Stems/Valve Stem Remover.
Spark Plug Wire (Long)
Spark Plugs.

For very long distance movements into remote areas or very difficult trails:

Spare Tie Rod assembly Tie Rod, Drag Link, Ball Joints, Nuts and Cotter Pins.)
Spare Drive Shafts (Front and Rear)
Welder (On-Board with Supplies)
Past broken parts / items susceptible to damage and required for vehicle mobility.

Vehicle Fluids:

Engine Oil
Brake Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Gear Oil
Coolant/Waterx1Gal
Extra Fuel (As required 5 Gal minimum)
Bearing grease
WD 40x1 can
Starter fluid
Automatic Transmission fluid if the vehicle is an automatic

Recovery Equipment, for Self and Assisted Recovery.

Learn how evreything works BEFORE you have to use it in a high stress enviornment in low light conditions!

Gloves
Shovel / Pick / Axe
Hi-Lift Jack w/Large footprint base
Jackmate for Hi-Lift Jack
Hi-Lift accessory Kit to allow for use as a 'Come-Along'.
Chain (Properly Rated)
Tree Saver
Clevisx2 (Minimal)
Snatch Blockx1 (Minimal)
20' - 30' Snatch Straps x 2 (Properly Rated)
Pull Pal
Sand Ladders (PAP or PSP)
Come-Along
Winch and controller with damper material
Wheel Chocks
Hi-Lift 'Lift Mate' and 'Bumper Lift' if required for your vehicles setup.

I hope this helps. /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

[miljeep]

Damn, that is a pretty thorough list. I may have missed it, but a GPS and a cell phone?

I know it seems like a lot is listed above, but if you roll with 10 jeeps, you would be amazed at what everyone is actually carrying. I know I bought a better ratcheting strap after seeing what a strong one can do with holding an axle in place.

I just add stuff as I go.

[fishjrl]

bring your brain with you. most breaks are caused by bad decisions on the trail. its one thing if you are challenging yourself and your vehicle, but putting yourself and others in danger is just not good and is a good way to lose wheelin buddies

[Pacifier]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fishjrl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bring your brain with you. most breaks are caused by bad decisions on the trail. its one thing if you are challenging yourself and your vehicle, but putting yourself and others in danger is just not good and is a good way to lose wheelin buddies </div></div>

Not always the case. Parts and components from vehicles tend to get loose and break from previous wheeling trips or just from time taking its toll. I broke my rear axle bracket completely off my 2003 Rubicon on a scenic trail. Not a sermon, just a though /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f108/irkermit/Damage.jpg

[fishjrl]

you will always have your mechanical failures and such. but io have seen plenty of breaks and accidents from not thinking about your next move

[02tj]

I always do rock drills in my head!

[E5EDDIE]

Diego, it must have been easy to find the failed component with the handy undercarrage "circle and arrow" holographic display on that Tomb Raider, was that an option or aftermarket? I can't find a vaccume leak and it would sure come in handy!

[TexCJ7]

what ever happen to just rockin it out your goin wheelin not to space

[Pacifier]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TexCJ7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what ever happen to just rockin it out your goin wheelin not to space </div></div>

If you trailer you vehicle, then you're right WHO CARES!, but most individuals drive their vehicles to the trail and then have to drive them home.

Option one = you break something, you have you rig towed home $100 - $300 depending on the distance, plus parts to fix it once the vehicle is home. One more thing.... You still need to get the rig to a main road somehow, just to have the tow truck pick it up. Here in VA, if you need your rig recovered from a trail by a off road tow rig will run you about $150, and that's just for the recovery, add the other $100 - $300 for the tow.

Option two = Be prepared for the worst and make it home hobbling under your own power and fix it when you get home.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f108/irkermit/Damage.jpg

During this mishap for example, we drove about 90 miles from home, and my rig broke down 10 miles on top of the mountain. Since we all carried most of the equipment on the list, with the exception of a welder, we were able to improvise
just to get my Jeep back down the mountain on Icy terrain. We used heavy duty straps to semi-stabilize the axle, thus allowing me to get back down the mountain at 5MPH. Even then, my rear tires suffered some slight damage from the spring buckets rubbing the insides of my tires. Each tire costs about $250 plus, and if it wasn't for those straps, I would not have been able to drive my rig off the mountain, and surely have blown one, if not both of my rear tires, due to the axle shifting from side to side. Anyway, we got the rig to the bottom of the hill, met some locals with a welder, and welded the rear track bar temporarily until I got the rig home. Cost $100 to use the welder and $75 for the new lower control arm and track bar bracket from RE.

The moral of the story is.... Is better to be prepared for the worst, than not at all.

[korisu56]

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