A lot can happen on an off-road trip, and not all of them are good. If you get into an accident or if one of your tires gets damaged, the nearest shop or mechanic could be hours away from your location. Because of this, you need to be prepared for all situations. This means preparing for punctured tires, stuck vehicles, and dead batteries.
You should also be prepared for the worst. It’s a good idea to prepare a bottle of water to drink in case of emergencies. You can also add water to your cooling system.
If you plan on going on any off-road trips, here are some must-have upgrades and accessories to have on your vehicle at all times.
Portable Air Compressor
Make sure to bring a portable air compressor with you for off-road journeys. This will help you inflate your tires if they ever rupture or burst. You won’t be able to get very far with a flat tire so why take chances?
First Aid Kits
It’s always important to keep first aid kits in your vehicle — especially if you plan on going off-road. Most routes are far away from nearby hospitals and clinics, so it’s best to pack a first aid kit. If you get injured in the wilderness, you won’t have any other safe and reliable way to treat your wounds.
First aid kits typically contain adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments, soap, hand sanitizer, and other useful things you’ll need to take care of yourself.
Jump Starter
Another useful item to always keep in your vehicle during an off-road adventure is a jump starter. This will come in handy if your car battery fails you.
If your vehicle’s battery runs out of power, you can use a jump starter to recharge it without plugging anything into an electrical socket.
Tire Repair Kit
If your tire gets punctured, you’ll need to repair the hole right away with a tire repair kit.
Some kits include plugs to seal holes, while others come with a patch and tire sealant that’s slathered on to repair punctures.
While it might be more practical to carry a spare tire with you, sometimes the damage a tire sustains is so minimal that you can fix it yourself. You can spare yourself the time and trouble of swapping tires this way.
Recovery Kit
Recovery kits are used to help you pull your vehicle out of the mud or other areas where your car might get stuck.
These kits consist of a snatch strap, a tree trunk protector, bow shackles, and a snatch block. These tools let other vehicles tow your vehicle out of the ground safely.
Tool Kit
Nobody ever said you had to leave your tool kit in your garage. Though the tools inside vary from kit to kit, a basic set should at least have wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers. Some will have hex keys, wire cutters, ratchet straps, and zip ties as well. It’s always handy to keep these tools around in case you need to perform minor repairs during one of your drives.
Bottle Jack
Another must-have item for off-road trips is a bottle jack. Despite their size, these tools are capable of lifting heavy objects off the ground.
If your vehicle ever gets stuck and needs to be lifted to get pulled out, a bottle jack will come in handy. Its hydraulic design uses a piston to push upwards, lifting your vehicle in the process.
Cargo Strap
If you need to keep your cargo securely fastened to your vehicle, invest in getting a cargo strap. This handy tool is used to secure anything you might be hauling in your cargo space or truck bed.
They help tie down loads as you drive, preventing them from shaking about. Not only do cargo straps minimize the damage your cargo sustains in transit, but they also keep the cargo safe and secure.
Gloves
Every driver needs to keep at least one pair of safety gloves in their vehicle at all times. Wearing gloves keeps your hands clean from dirt and grime while doing maintenance work.
Similarly, some situations in an off-road trip will require you to get down and dirty. You might have to push your vehicle or handle rough materials like rock and wood. Gloves can help you avoid getting minor cuts and injuries.
Shovel
Shovels are another must-have item to keep in your vehicle. This is useful for emergencies where you need to get rid of snow and other hard clumps of soil.
This tool may come in handy in situations wherein your vehicle gets stuck in difficult terrain.
Spare Tire Carrier
A lot can happen in the wilderness so it’s best to be prepared for all sorts of problems. One of your car’s tires can get punctured or become unusable due to the damage. If that happens, you’ll need to replace it with something else.
It’s never a good idea to go on an off-road adventure without a spare tire. Because of this, it’s important to invest in a good spare tire carrier.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
