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What do you really NEED for self overland trips

Discussion in 'Outdoors' started by Taconator_, Apr 11, 2018.

  1. Apr 11, 2018 at 4:25 PM
    #1
    Taconator_

    Taconator_ [OP] IG: ohv_tacotruck

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    I know traveling on your own is generally a bad idea, but unless my friends and family take their corollas and accords, I’m on my own with the girlfriend (and MAYBE dog.. she’s loony)

    With so much influence form social media, and people driving 100k+ rigs, I’ve forgotten what basic even means anymore. So instead of what I want, I’d like to start with what I truly need.

    -recovery gear
    This is one area where I don’t exactly know how much or what recovery gear I need.

    -satellite phone (since I’m on my own).. not sure if it’s overkill but good for peace of mind.
    -ground tent, food, things to cook the food with.
    -Good ol’ classic cooler..
    -basic first aid things..
    -cheap little air compressor
    -tools?

    -As for tires, are the stock tires sufficient? I think this is one area where it may be more of a want than a need. I was looking into dick cepek extreme country 255/85/r16.

    -And lighting, only because last time I was out on a dirt road I couldn’t see anything. It was so dark I felt like all my lights were turned off.

    -sliders/armor, necessary? I have a front skid plate. Don’t plan on rock crawling but I’m afraid of running into a situation where I’ll need them.

    I’ve done thousands of miles of “on-road” road trips, not so much off-road. I’m planning a trip to Death Valley which sparked this thread. I suppose I should call it explorative camping lol. I’m sure my mind wanders off into the Himalayas, but the truth is I’m in the 95% on road, 5% off road (if that) we do 1-2 roadtrips a year.

    So I don’t really know how to go about making it great on/off road without going overboard on something I don’t need.
     
  2. Oct 7, 2019 at 7:16 PM
    #2
    smartbomb

    smartbomb rcvr/xmtr

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    3" suspension lift, hard canopy, light bar in hood, ditch lights, aircraft cargo bars, powdercoated steel spares, desert tires, bed cargo bars (for rifle cases), misc interior doo-dads
    brother, I have a blast with just a sleeping bag, some firewood, and stuff to eat

    oh yeah, make sure you have gas
     
  3. Oct 7, 2019 at 7:18 PM
    #3
    El Duderino

    El Duderino Obviously, you're not a golfer.

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    Stuff, things, this, an ADS
    Pretty much going to be going across country like this but with a tent. Cause I got a dog
     
  4. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:33 AM
    #4
    PonyOnMyBoat

    PonyOnMyBoat Member

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    I have the same truck and questions as you. It seems like a common approach to off road is: (1) Buy a capable off-road vehicle; (2) Spend a lot of money and effort modifying it to be even more capable; (3) Go out with a bunch of people and try to get it stuck. I just want to be able to get places I wouldn’t dare take a car, and still get back. I live in the east but love to hike in the west; I’ve noticed that most of the good trailheads are miles down a “road” that would pass for off road in the east.

    I stumbled across this article a while back which presents some unorthodox opinions; I’m sure it will be met with wrath amongst the hard core wheelers but it’s good food for thought for those of us who want to get off the beaten track for a while and still be able to get back:
    https://www.outsideonline.com/2193931/do-you-really-need-modify-your-truck-go-road

    The OR stock tires are AT rated and from what I’ve read considered decent for off road.

    So far I’ve bought a Viair compressor (stepped up to a larger one than my first choice when I realized it won’t reach the rear wheels without kludging an extension with jumper cables) and a cheap plug kit (want to replace it with a better one such as Arb). Plan to add traction boards (since these are for the rare emergency rather than a regular occurrence I’ll probably go with the $100 ones on Amazon rather than Maxtrax), hitch receiver recovery point, a tow strap or two (no hooks) with shackles, and -maybe- a Wyeth Scott Power puller and tree saver. Also leaning toward an aluminum front skid plate. And, of course, need to carry sufficient water for multiple days for myself, wife, and kitty - looking at WaterBricks for that. Already have a Spot if I need 911.

    Hoping for feedback...
     
  5. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:47 AM
    #5
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    Food, water, and a sleeping bag with a shell for morning dew/light rain. Besides that, just get out there and do a few trips. Those will help you identify what luxuries you would like to add.

    Don't spend 10k on getting an rtt, bed rack, dual battery setup, fridge on a rolling bed thing, a microwave, and a fancy tailgate cutting board.

    Just get out there with the necessities, some recovery gear, and some friends
     
    BalutTaco and FireRoadFan like this.
  6. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:51 AM
    #6
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Sat phone is over kill. If you're concerned about getting help in an emergency, a SPOT or an inReach will do the trick. I have an inReach and really like it.


    Other than that, as the others have said, keep it simple. Some of my best camping has been off a motorcycle with very little storage space, it doesn't take much.
     
    chaoselephant23 and boston23 like this.
  7. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:57 AM
    #7
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

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    I’d say all you might want is a Vair 88 air compressor (65 bucks) so u can deflate your tires. Deflating really helps with traction and prevents getting stuck in most situations.

    A shovel to dig yourself out is also a great idea, also useful for many other things

    Also a headlamp and extra batteries is great
     
  8. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:00 AM
    #8
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

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    photogr4x4 and 0xDEADBEEF like this.
  9. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:05 AM
    #9
    velogeek

    velogeek Well-Known Member

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    4-wheeling necessities would mean:
    • First Aid Kit (w/ bandages for light trauma)
    • Shovel
    • Snatch Strap
    • D-Shackles (for said snatch strap) with hitch mount (or at the least a pin so you can stuff the strap end into the hitch and secure it)
    • Compressor (Viair 88p is the bare minimum, I'd suggest the 400/450 if you can afford it)
    • A good bottle jack, preferably with axle cradle attachment
    • Handheld dual band radio for emergencies (can't use otherwise without license) instead of sat phone. Baofeng is acceptable, Kenwood and Yaesu better
    • First Aid Kit (w/ bandages for light trauma)
    Notice which was mentioned twice. Then add in your typical camping gear for food, water (1 gal per person per day minimum), and shelter.

    Everything else is a nice to have that many of us have for one reason or another - typically because we enjoy the company of someone who is less open to roughing it or because we've learned things while on the trail.
     
  10. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:07 AM
    #10
    Rujack

    Rujack Stop Global Whining

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    Piece of at least 3/4 plywood to stabilize your jack should you need it. Maybe a jumper pack like a gooloo.
     
  11. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:09 AM
    #11
    GorgeRunner

    GorgeRunner Out There

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    The more stuff you take, the more stuff will break. Survival is being able to adapt and improvise, not load up with a bunch of stuff and hang on.
     
  12. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:10 AM
    #12
    Rujack

    Rujack Stop Global Whining

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  13. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:17 AM
    #13
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

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    Whats a hooptie? Ronny Dahl in his Land Crusier 79 series puts us Americans to shame
     
  14. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:31 AM
    #14
    Rujack

    Rujack Stop Global Whining

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    I see that my sarcasm wasn’t conveyed
     
    boston23[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 8, 2019 at 7:36 AM
    #15
    CRASHMAN50

    CRASHMAN50 Well-Known Member

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    Sherpa Equipment Co. rack, CVT Mt. Rainier, Mobtown sliders, 40" Rigid light bar, Dobinsons suspension w/Med. Dakars
    I do have the X-Bull traction boards that I got from Amazon. They don't stack all neat and low profile like proper maxtrax, but they've gotten a few vehicles unstuck from the mud. Always been super handy. Just keep that skinny peddle in check, and they work like a charm. I've got a set of 4 boards.
     
  16. Oct 8, 2019 at 5:55 PM
    #16
    smartbomb

    smartbomb rcvr/xmtr

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    i think the next step would be just make sure you have basics
    holy smokes no.

    what someone in Australia needs for 4 wheeling is seriously different than what someone camping needs, especially in the United States
     
  17. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:04 PM
    #17
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

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    Just saying he has a lot of good tips and is a cool dude- very down to earth, also i live in New Mexico so it can get very remote out here
     
    smartbomb[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:09 PM
    #18
    smartbomb

    smartbomb rcvr/xmtr

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    yeah, I used to live in the desert too. I just brought water, a full spare, a cigarette lighter compressor, and a full gas can

    other than that, It's just like camping anywhere else

    and as an aside, I like his videos too. he's pretty funny sometimes.
    but if you watch them, him and his friends are getting into situations just to get out of them. which is the basic premise of four-wheeling if you think about it. other than that, it's car camping
     
  19. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:15 PM
    #19
    boston23

    boston23 Well-Known Member

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    Oh cool! Yeah i find there’s a lot less cell service and gas stations here than other parts of the country. And thats the gear i bring too, extra water and a full plastic gas can, and a little board for the jack base. The compressor has been key, ive been going way out in the stock sr5 street tires and been fine haha
     
  20. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:17 PM
    #20
    bs63366

    bs63366 Well-Known Member

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    ARE Z-series shell, ImMrYo mirror lift, always on fog-lights.
    One thing that I don't think I saw mentioned anywhere yet is a fire extinguisher. Its seems like this is one of the most overlooked items, but if/when needed, one of the most valuable.
     
    photogr4x4 likes this.

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