Essential Expo Equipment List

Expo this, Expo that, Expo with a wiffle ball bat!

Now that that's outta the way. I'll comment a little bit as it's a worthy subject.

Common sense and experience go a long way.

I can not easy count my solo adventures...

My background before the truck was backpacking, canyoneering, and mountain climbing.

I know what it takes to survive for a week in wilderness without anyone's help and traverse rugged terrain. I know because I've done it many many times. I love the solo challenge.

When I got the truck it was so that I could get to even more remote locations for more adventure...

My advice to anyone preparing for off-road travel is to practice everything in the comfort of your driveway before you do it on the trail. This concept is fundamental because it creates experience in a relatively safe environment. And when shit goes wrong on the trail, it's the operators experience that is relied upon to fix things and get home.

The number one thing people should know inside and out is tire repair.

I have been on this forum long enough to see factory tools not work and strand people in remote areas. That's right, the fucking factory lug nut wrench was deformed and did not fit right. Dad got a flat and couldn't swap tires, and to walk xxx miles to safety with teen son...

My advice is buy a junk tire/wheel, poke some holes in it and plug the tire. Practice debeading the tire, reseat the bead, dismount the tire, replace a valve stem, a valve core, remount the tire. Drop the spare tire, change a tire, air up, air down, on and on and on. It is crucial to have an air pump or other means to put air in the tires.

Also critical is to build a tool kit to support the Tacoma. Half my tools are harbor freight and I use them frequently. I use the tools in the kit so I know they are solid. If something doesn't work, get rid of it and find something that does. Don't buy sh** to throw into a box and say I'm covered without actually trying it first. I know I can wrench nearly every bolt on my truck and my tool kit is pretty comprehensive for 99% of things I would encounter for emergency purposes.

Also, what kills a lot of people is the dreaded double failure. Have a plan and have a backup plan, and if possible have a backup for the backup.

Comms is an easy example.

I need help, medical or mechanical.

1. Cell phone
2. 2-Meter radio
3. 70-Centimeter radio.
   
4. Satellite phone
5. PLB
6. Shelter in place and wait (my truck has a satellite tracking device)

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Get a Hi-Lift and practice with it. Know how to use it, and what not to do. It's not an emergency tool if you use it often.

Books have been written to cover the subject, so don't be afraid to pick up some resources.

 

I have been pointing people to these videos lately. They are very specific to their large expeditions (and sponsors), but they give you a idea of the kinds of things you could need and bring from a real pro crew.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8749uhKhcvQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVGgeftXsf4

But from there it is all about personal preference, ambitions, and bank account (this hobby is espensive!). I have seen some really capable expos completed on the cheap, and some that could have bought them some land and a house.

 

Great thread idea and some very comprehensive posts here.
One way to keep gear limited is to make sure things serve dual purposes. I carry a tarp for rain events and to work under the truck. Add tent stakes & paracord and it doubles as a shelter. It frees up space instead of carrying an emergency tent. Same with the backpacking stove I use for coffee and the stove fuel that could be used as fire starter. All fit nicely in the backpack if you have to hoof it.
Duct tape, rope, pipe clamps, zip ties... universal items to MacGyver broken things. Gear wrenches are great; 8 sizes with two wrenches (still carry sockets. wrenches, and a bunch of other tools).
Another thing that helps is knowing your deficiencies and letting them bother you. I don't have a CB, but will definitely get one before the next trip.
Keep stuff compact and organized. I don't have to worry about not having the essentials because they are always in the truck- with room to spare.
A lot of it comes from needing things and not having it. Like when I ripped my sidewall open recently and didn't have a patch kit. That was the first thing purchased when I passed through the next town.
That being said, I often end up using my gear to help less prepared travelers- which is fine with me. I've been on the other end a few times...

 

Same here, I wanted to get to the trailheads that no one could drive to. The only thing better than truck camping on a secluded ridge, is backpacking the next day to a secluded lake on a hard to follow trail. I love not having to pack a bathing suit!

 

Explore

Exploring doesn't have to be expensive. In the beginning all I had was a stock Tacoma with rock sliders welded on. Very basic supplies carried, gas, water, tools, hi-lift. NO fridge, No cooler, No fancy heaters, stoves, tents. I sleep in the cab. Oatmeal, fruit, sandwiches, A jet boil and mountain house dinners, instant coffee. Simple. effective. fast.

A back country guide book, personal ambition, courage, gasoline and time off, was all that was required for a great adventure.

 

This is the type of stuff I want to do with the truck in the future. More expedition type of off roading vs crawling. Thanks for all the good information so far!

 

@Crom, I think we all started that way (unless you like to buy things twice). Then expand your rig with personal feedback. Just make sure you have what you need to come back from the trip in one piece to start. You made me realize I need to practice my tire fixing, I have plugged stick holes, but I have never had to reseat or replace a value stem (I would bring the beer for your tire repair "done learned" session).

Maybe we can put together a point to point multiple day trip for this forum in the future. Usually hard for a large group to coordinate that type of trip, so will end up being a smaller group which is easier.

 

I or we, my Dog and I, already have two summers under our belt. Expo? What is that? Oh, so that's what we have been doing. So there is a legitimate name of what we do. I get it now, we are Expo Flyfishing.

So two summers blogs.

www.rocketflyfishing.com

Life is not all about having your ass glued to a seat.

 

The obvious food, water, shelter like people have been saying. I know this next one isn't a "packing" thing, but how about telling someone who is not going with you where you are going, the duration of your trip, and when you plan on being back.

 

Good point. I usually seed someone with my start and exit with dates and maybe some locations of interest I may plan on visiting (peak, lake, hot spring....).

 

Expo builds are the most interesting to me. Really glad I decided to go that route. If I wanted to crawl and really crawl, I think the tacoma has too long of a wheel base. I've seen some extremely capable crawlers built on here but I just think my dad's cherokee would outcrawl any setup on here solely because of wheel base.

The Expo build is less stressful to me also. I can keep my truck as a daily driver and run less risk of breaking stuff.

 

Entirely untrue. Have you seen the RST truck? I have seen several times from 1st hand experience when a longer wheel base absolutely destroyed a short wheel base. Wheeling my old FJC was sketchy as hell specifically because of the shorter wheel base (not to mention the high COG).

Anyway, you'd be surprised by how many people wheel the shit out of trucks with longer wheel bases.

Have you looked through the 1st gen builds (4Runners and Tacomas?) There are several builds here that would crawl circles around a Cherokee.

 

I've seen the crazy crawlers too and said they are impressive. I've just never seen one do what the cherokee can't. Not discrediting any builds. Just not my thing. The trails I've been on in the Cherokee would leave a Tacoma stranded. They would drag their bellies. I've only been a few places in AZ so I'm sure there are trails where a long wheel base would be superior, just not any I've been on. I still think the true crawlers on here are sick just due to the amount of work the owners put into them. Jeeps are basically built. All they need is a little lift and some armor.

 

Not necessarily. You are forgetting that if you want to step up to a bigger, more "serious" tire (lets say 37"s), you are going to need new axles front and rear. New axles? Well that also means new gears and lockers. No platform rolls out of the factory ready to do serious crawling without major upgrades.

Hell even with 35"s on stock axles, JKs grenade axle shafts all day long.

All I am saying is that from my personal experience, I have driven past WAYYYY more broken down Jeeps than I have Toyotas. Don't get me wrong, if I had the money to throw at a JK I'd seriously consider it, but I have been less and less impressed with the quality of the products they have been producing. Just my .02.

Back to the expo stuff.

I can't believe no one has mentioned to bring TP or wet wipes....these are essential.

 

Haha funny you mention it. My dad and I break down every other time we take the Jeep out...

I always have TP in my truck. Never know when shits gonna go down.

 

Well I reckon you can't be out-wheeling a lot of the builds on here if you are breaking down every other trip

And yes, shit does happen. And it is always when you least expect it.

Never, ever trust a fart. Especially when wheeling.

 

Haha we normally get lucky enough to make it back to the road, start airing up and something horrible goes wrong. It's a junk build but it gets the job done. I like it I like my truck better though

 

With a big shovel and a the right angle, who needs TP?

I don't have one, but I know quite a few that have showers with water heaters.

 

Hot showers! Are you feeling a little envious and left out

 

I mean if its a no wiper then you're good to go!

I saw a video somewhere that displayed a Tacoma with a hot water shower and curtain (for the ladies). I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it pulled the water from the creek he made camp next to...let me see if I can find it.