Off-roading is a lot of things. It’s a thrilling hobby, a constant source of wonder and a way to see parts of the world most people will never get to see.
What it’s not, however, is predictable. That’s why there is so much gear associated with an off-roading trip – you never really know what you’re going to need and it’s better to be over-prepared than ill-prepared.
Of course, the flip side is that you could end up with a vehicle weighed down by equipment and parts that you simply don’t need.
This is why we’ve put together a comprehensive but not exhaustive checklist of the absolute essentials to ensure you’ve got ready to go before you embark on your off-roading adventure.
Starting with the essentials
Before we go into the checklist itself, let’s look at the absolute basic checks that need to be done in the garage.
- Check your fluids – Engine oil, brake fluid, and windscreen wiper fluid and radiator coolant all need to be topped up before heading out.
- Nice and tight – Check that all of your nuts, bolts, and shocks are as tight as they possibly can be. If you don’t trust your hands then don’t be afraid to reach for the power tools.
- Don’t forget the belts – Fan belts and seat belts should be checked to ensure they’re in perfect working order. The same goes for your brake pads.
- Seal the cracks – Go over the frame checking for cracks that have the potential to become more serious problems on an unpredictable off-road trail.
The off-road checklist basics
The following off-road checklist represents the basics you should always have on hand during a 4×4 adventure.
Remember though, there are plenty more maintenance items, personal items and more that you might want to bring depending on your vehicle.
And it’s always safer to travel in groups and spread the equipment amongst your rides, if possible.
- First aid – A first aid kit should always be the priority, as your health is ultimately far more important than the health of your vehicle. Kits can contain everything from bandages and medicines to burn gels and snake bite salves. It will depend on where you’re going and what you perceive as your greatest risks.
- Personal essentials – More food and water than you think you might need (a gallon of water per person a day, at least) and the essentials like bin bags, sunscreen, and toilet paper are all necessary. If you’re planning on really heading off the beaten path, meanwhile, packing some water purification tablets is always a good idea.
- Spare tyre – This should really go without saying. In fact, we’d say take at least two spare tyres if you can fit them. Also, a jack and tyre iron to change the tyres is obviously a necessity.
- General tools – Typical tools like hammers and wrenches might not seem like they would be much help but you would be surprised.
- Navigation – We’re not just talking about maps and information here. We’re talking about a good compass, GPS and, of course, a cell phone with decent reception.
As we’ve already stated, this just represents the basics. There are hundreds of potential options to suit your individual adventure.
Contact us today at 4×4 Works and we’ll be happy to go through them all with you and help to prepare you for the off-road adventure of a lifetime.
Image: Shutterstock.com / mansong suttakarn
