Beginning to off-road and camp tips/gear

Once you see maxtrax flex you be like goddamn I need me a set!! Hahaha I love mine

 

I love mine too. Sometimes name brand is worth it, but it sucks to see slapping "overland" on something drives the price way up. In some areas theres no issue cheaping out and upgrading if necessary, but personally I dont think recovery equipment is the place for that.

 

Also OP you can easily sell “ new /use “ maxtrax fast they sell like damn hot cakes!!

 

I find this guys videos to be pretty informative, unbiased and without all the bro glamour bull crap. Obviously it would be best and probably way more fun to learn from a friend or old hand in real life situations but if you don't have that at your disposal initially I think this guy is a pretty good teacher for some basics regarding safety and recovery techniques as well as some product reviews.

https://www.youtube.com/user/RonBacardi666/videos

 

+1 love that channel. It's full of very useful information.

 

I see. Tbh I've never seen them in person. The only time I ever see them is on those big youtube overland channels. And they're all sponsored so they get them for free.

$300+ for traction boards is too steep for me. I'll take your word for it that they're worth it.

 

Here's a video pertaining directly to your question that seems to be a pretty good reference to start. Everyone personalizes their gear to some degree with regards to what they feel is best, also things can vary a bit by region. Don't forget water and some food. Seeing as you're in Florida its probably fine to drive in the old flops if you want but make sure to have good shoes or boots on hand in case you have to do some digging or hike out from some place.

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

As far as camping gear goes that turns into a pretty personal preference situation but for the basics. Tent, cot or sleeping pad, sleeping bag, flashlight/headlamp, some other lantern or light source for the camp area, maybe a citronella candle, work gloves, hat, long sleeves, rain jacket, sun screen, bug spray, food, 5 gallon water jug, beer/whiskey/rum/tequilla if you drink, Gatorade and other delicious beverages, cooler with ice or ice packs, some sort of cooking device if you want hot food, a decent skillet, cup or coffee mug or both, paper plates or reusable plates, cooking and eating utensils, salt and pepper, other condiments, paper towels, TP, garbage bags, dish soap, an EZ up, a big umbrella or an awning even a tarp and some cordage just something to provide you with a decent amount of shade, camping chairs and don't forget a speaker and maybe a table. That's kinda my basics for anything more than an over nighter with the boys, in which case its kinda just beer hotdogs and chips and pickles or something. Lastly and not to be over looked, bring whatever is going to make you're lady happy and want to do this again.

 

I have a 1st gen with 4WD, no lockers, no winch. (both next on the build list) hence why I only will go into National parks and only drive into the back country where the trails aren’t too gnarly. I keep a 50L Osprey pack with plenty of hiking gear that if I needed to hike out I could. I also keep a well stocked first aid kit and my truck well maintained and have replaced pretty much everything that needed replacing.

 

Maps, books, talking to people, the internet, repeating trails you’ve done before, walking ahead to scout terrain, turning around if it starts to look too “gnarly” knowing where you are and if you’re comfortable and prepared to hike out if necessary. Let people know where you’re going so if you don’t turn up they know where to look. It’s definitely more fun with other people as you have back up, you can push the limits a bit more and go a bit further into the back country but you can take a calculated risk and go by yourself if you choose to do so. Probably not advisable by most on here or for OP as it sounds like he’s pretty new. Many on here would say NEVER go it alone. I guess it depends on how much risk you are comfortable with and willing to take combined with preparation you’re willing to do. As well as many other factors.

 

Yup. I was out driving around and found a trail about 2 hours from home the other day. Ended up getting stuck with no one around. Wasn’t even planning on off-roading that day. Luckily I have a winch mounted and got myself out. If you go by yourself a lot, a winch would be priority number one. My locker could not save me

 

I guess it depends where you live a bit as well and what kind of terrain you’re running. Where I go out there’s no sand and typically very little mud. So barring mechanical failure or unless I get in way over my head and get hung up on some rocks or go over the side of a road or roll it’s unlikely I’d get stuck. Other places I’m sure there’s more opportunity to get buried.

 

You can also just stack rocks and logs for the same effect. Those are free.

 

Sometime I'll run 1-2miles out to scout. some good ole cardio. You'll end up doing the trail in reverse if you can't go through it!

 

That is a good way to look at it. Just have it ready in my garage for when I go out on the trail. I don't want to carry around hundreds of lbs of extra gear to and from school. That just more gas I'm needlessly spending.