Off-roading for Beginners

I made an oh shit bag that has 2 shackles, 2 snatch blocks, 30 foot snatch strap, 30 foot tow rope, 60 ft winch rope, a military foldable shovel and gloves. Easy to toss in the bed. Being a retired firefighter/emt old habits are hard to break I keep a trauma kit in a back pack behind the back seat all the times.

 

You are the first person to mention a shovel... I was beginning to wonder about that. Moving some dirt/stones around to fill a hole or to top off a high spot can be necessary and it's easier with a small, lightweight shovel than using your hands or cutlery.
Not a bad idea to have a fire extinguisher around either.

 

Get a tire plug kit. Repair the tire on the truck. Use the spare as a last resort when you can’t repair the tire. Only thing worse than getting one flat is getting two and not being able to repair it.

also, air compressor

 

I’m new to off-road in a light truck as well. I am a highly experienced driver. Learning has been great fun. First, I’d say get out wheeling, and use your head. Nothing beats experience, and that includes knowing when to turn around. I’m constantly amazed at what a stock truck will do. Air down always. I do 18-20 psi. Never overrun your ability to stop. It’s a great hobby. Glad I found it.

 

If you’ve lifted your vehicle and put in larger tires, get a taller bottle Jack as well.

But don’t throw out your old when. When you’re buried you can use the small one to get the clearance for the larger.

 

Thanks all for the info posted in here! I am comfortable off-road but know enough to know that I don't know everything. It's always good to be reminded about general tips, especially w/r/t safety

 

I've got a story here.
Back in the late '70s I was wheeling in the back woods of Maine with a friend riding shotgun. I had a '73 Jeep Wagoneer. Went down a steep hill which was all ledge like a rough stair way. At the bottom was a stream which was 2 feet down from the banks. Someone had built a narrow bridge (for snowmobiles) across from small tree trunks. Well, my buddy and I figured we could get across if I kept the tires on the out side trunks. You know where this is going.... Half way across the right wheel dropped off and we were hung up on the spring bolts! The only way we managed to get out of there is my buddy found a downed tree and used as a lever to lift the front end enough for me to back off the bridge.
You never know what you will run into. I wish I had a winch then.
BTW it was an auto and I succeeded in over heating it to the point where it wouldn't move. Boiled out the fluid. As luck would have it, I had a can of 30wt under the seat. Last resort, but we got out of the woods.

 

A pair of traction boards can come in handy

 

Hi-lifts do work on my rock sliders, but do yourself a favor and purchase a Hi-lift base that can also double-duty as a sand/mud shovel.

 

Hi-lift safety accessories to secure the top of the hi-lift to the vehicle (and more):

SAM-2
D-Lift adapter

Check out the videos on each page. Proper use will help greatly with safely using a hi-lift. No affiliation of any kind.

 

Wow, I am impressed. After watching the two videos and the fact I do not have aftermarket bumpers I am all in for a DLA. It will work perfect on my rock sliders.

 

Depending on the off-roading you are doing and where you are going, it never hurts to carry extra fluids (engine oil, diff oil, transmission fluid etc) and reasonable spare parts and the tools to replace those spares.

 

Double check that all your gear functions properly and is present before you leave.

Especially chains, ropes/straps, winches and jacks. Check over every inch of your straps, ropes, and chains. Your looking for bad frays/chops/bird cages (more than 1/4 of the web / rope compromised? ) and stretched or cracked links and hooks. A failure in any of these can turn an inconvenience into a dangerous situation.

If they're missing, it would suck to find out when you're depending on them.