Basic kit

[Shibadog]

I see lots of new folks here and read tales of woe when they get hung up/stranded. Folks need to understand (1) that ANY vehicle ever made “can” get hung up, and (2) if your vehicle is the only one there, more than likely getting going again will be YOUR job-you cannot rely on somebody else happening by to save your tail.

Accordingly, I would strongly encourage each of you to carry a basic kit with you whenever you leave the pavement. It can be assembled fairly cheaply, but will be worth its weight in gold if (when?) you need it. This is especially important If you are doing a one Jeep adventure, but can be handy anytime.
Specifically, For the Jeep
1. GI entrenching tool
2. Good, heavy duty quality knife with at least a 3” blade
3. Nylon snatch strap
4. Tire plug kit
5. Compact air compressor
6. Breaker bar and socket for removing wheel lugs
7. A few assorted screwdrivers
8. Pliars
9. 8 and 12 inch adjustable wrench’s
10. Electrical tape and duct tape

The above will all fit under the carpet in the back of the Jeep. ( If you do not have a winch you will also need a heavy duty come along)
This gear will get you out of almost any spot you can get into ( it WILL not be fun, and will be hard work!)
Carry a small first aid kit
In addition to the above, get a 50 cal ammo can and fill it with the following
1. 2 bottles of water
2. High energy “survival” bars, sufficient to provide 2000+ calories/day (minimum) for two people for at least two days
3. Water filtration straw (to allow use of water you “find” in streams, puddles etc.)
4. Small box waterproof matches/pack of fire starter cubes
5. 100 hour candle
6. 4 “space blanket” survival blankets.
7. Metal cups, can be used to hold/melt snow, warm/cook, etc.
The above will keep you hydrated and fed while you are stuck, and will keep you warm at night if you are out overnight.
All above items noted live in my Jeep ALL the time.
When I am actually going into the toolies I also bring extra clothing warmer than what I am wearing (even a desert gets cold at night), and a 5” barreled Smith model 60 with both shot and magnum rounds (a Henry .22 survival rifle is also a very good choice).
I have traveled extensively with the above gear for many many years-seldom need it, BUT it’s there if you do, and it just may save you and the person with you if things go bad. Having the right gear gives YOU the confidence you need to face adverse situations and not leave you to the mercy of nature or chance encounters with a helpful stranger. DO NOT travel solo in the sticks by yourself depending on your cell phone for help-if you are really out there you won’t have any service, and even if you do, help may be a long time coming. Be smart, enjoy the wilds, but follow the old Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared”. Enjoy your Jeep, have adventures and see places you’d never see otherwise, but use the brain the Good Lord gave you to stay out of trouble.
Thanks for listening to an old man?

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[slowcrawlerZJ]

From one old man to another I like your basic list. I do most of my wheeling on my own and carry those items at a standard minimum. I also carry a few MRE's and of course a boom stick or multiple boom sticks. To add to that a pelican case with miscellaneous oils and small jeep quick fix repair items can make a world of difference.

 

[ChuckQue]

Bailing wire is also great and versatile for trail fixes…

 

[Reinen]

Not relying on your cell phone can't be stressed enough. A few weeks ago I found an abandoned vehicle deep in Capitol Reef NP. The occupants walked 8 miles through a desert without hiking equipment, looking for a cell signal that was at least 35-40 miles away. Their decisions took them straight into a survival situation and made their rescue more difficult.

Their disabled vehicle was found long before they were. A vehicle parked in the middle of nowhere can be seen for miles. An open hood is a clear signal that you're stranded (which they didn't do). People walking through desert scrub brush is much harder to notice.

Not only should you have equipment, you should have a plan for getting stranded that does not blindly rely on your cell phone.

A basic precaution anyone can take that costs nothing is to leave your planned route with someone and an expected check-in time when you'll be back in cell communication. If you don't check in then someone will know to send a search party and where. Always bring enough food & water to last until your failed check-in and the time it will take to reach you.

 

[AcesandEights]

1. GI entrenching tool
There are much more useful shovels than the hokey, flimsy GI tool. It is tacticool though!

2. Good, heavy duty quality knife with at least a 3” blade
You don't need more than a three-inch blade for anything, including skinning a grizzly bear.

3. Nylon snatch strap
Good one!

4. Tire plug kit
Unnecessary, difficult to use and you should have a spare.

5. Compact air compressor
Unnecessary if you carry a spare.

6. Breaker bar and socket for removing wheel lugs
Unnecessary, just bring your tie-iron.

7. A few assorted screwdrivers, 8. Pliers, 9. 8 and 12-inch adjustable wrenches
Assorted, or specific to your rig? Bring the right tools for the job.

10. Electrical tape and duct tape
One or the other, maybe.

The above will all fit under the carpet in the back of the Jeep. ( If you do not have a winch you will also need a heavy duty come along)
A come-along isn't rated to pull the vehicle, when stuck.

Carry a small first aid kit
Good one!

In addition to the above, get a 50 cal ammo can and fill it with the following
1. 2 bottles of water
Your body needs water, not food. An average person needs 1 gallon of water per day. Two water bottles is a joke. You're going to die of dehydration with cookie crumbs on your shirt.

2. High energy “survival” bars, sufficient to provide 2000+ calories/day (minimum) for two people for at least two days
You don't need food, you need water. Your body can't process those calories without a gallon a day of water. You're dead in three days, so leave the food at home, unless it makes you "feel" better emotionally to have it.

3. Water filtration straw (to allow use of water you “find” in streams, puddles etc.)
Not stupid, but probably not necessary, depending.

4. Small box waterproof matches/pack of fire starter cubes
For what? You're not sleeping outside.

5. 100 hour candle
I'd rather have a 50-hour candle and an extra cookie.

6. 4 “space blanket” survival blankets.
Why not five?

7. Metal cups, can be used to hold/melt snow, warm/cook, etc.
This is so situational dependent as to be unnecessary.

 

[rkwfxd]

Great thread and list. One thing Im in the habit of doing is filing a “flight plan” as mentioned above.

I often go into places for days at a time with no cell service. I make sure a family member knows when to expect me and give them a time to call rescue if they do not hear from me. I also provide the number for them to call.

Also, side note based on the replies to this thread and his other buffoonery on my posts I have added a ? to my ignore list.

 

[RugbyRef]

@Shibadog - as someone who has quite a bit of experience living off the the grid outside of (and inside) the U.S., you're list is right on the mark. Especially for the folks just stepping into off-roading or overlanding. Eventually they will learn to pare down on certain items as time goes on.

[email protected]'mon man, the OP is just trying to be helpful. Your post was monumentally douchey.

Edit - I see this isn't the first time for his alligator mouth overloading his hummingbird a__!

 

[Astro Jeep]

Bailing wire is also great and versatile for trail fixes…

Can you give some examples? I am genuinely curious.

 

[Astro Jeep]

Great thread and list. One thing Im in the habit of doing is filing a “flight plan” as mentioned above.

I often go into places for days at a time with no cell service. I make sure a family member knows when to expect me and give them a time to call rescue if they do not hear from me. I also provide the number for them to call.

Also, side note based on the replies to this thread and his other buffoonery on my posts I have added a ? to my ignore list.

Yeah, you are pretty nice with only calling him a clown. He has continually shown himself to be a shit bird.

 

[AcesandEights]

...

[email protected]'mon man, the OP is just trying to be helpful. Your post was monumentally douchey.

You might be right, but the ten-essentials, which is probably more important, is posted just about everywhere you can imagine. The OP was worded with language that made it appear his/her's was the list everyone should or needed to carry. It isn't. Not by a long shot.

Much more helpful is "this is what I bring, what do you bring". Much more inclusive, more likely to promote additional thought and relevance to each other and different conditions. It's posted on this site about once a week.

 

[Astro Jeep]

You might be right, but the ten-essentials, which is probably more important, is posted just about everywhere you can imagine. The OP posted was worded with language that made it appear his/her's was the list everyone should or needed to carry. It isn't. Not by a long shot.

"Generally salty and raw, with a dash of sarcasm. Usually served with a side of facetious."
No you just enjoy being a bitch to people.

The only one so far that seemed to think that he "made it appear his/her's was the list" is you. Maybe you are bipolar and forgot to take your meds, maybe you are just being asshole to fill a void in your life, but it is getting old.

Every time I see you make a comment on any thread concerning any topic I always wonder what kind of assholery thing is gonna come out of your sewer spigot today. Buy hey, you are sarcastic and facetious so that makes you cool!

Wrong.

 

[AcesandEights]

You didn't have to use such hurtful and personal language. Can't you disagree without making it so negative and personal?

 

[Shibadog]

1. GI entrenching tool
There are much more useful shovels than the hokey, flimsy GI tool. It is tacticool though!

2. Good, heavy duty quality knife with at least a 3” blade
You don't need more than a three-inch blade for anything, including skinning a grizzly bear.

3. Nylon snatch strap
Good one!

4. Tire plug kit
Unnecessary, difficult to use and you should have a spare.

5. Compact air compressor
Unnecessary if you carry a spare.

6. Breaker bar and socket for removing wheel lugs
Unnecessary, just bring your tie-iron.

7. A few assorted screwdrivers, 8. Pliers, 9. 8 and 12-inch adjustable wrenches
Assorted, or specific to your rig? Bring the right tools for the job.

10. Electrical tape and duct tape
One or the other, maybe.

The above will all fit under the carpet in the back of the Jeep. ( If you do not have a winch you will also need a heavy duty come along)
A come-along isn't rated to pull the vehicle, when stuck.

Carry a small first aid kit
Good one!

In addition to the above, get a 50 cal ammo can and fill it with the following
1. 2 bottles of water
Your body needs water, not food. An average person needs 1 gallon of water per day. Two water bottles is a joke. You're going to die of dehydration with cookie crumbs on your shirt.

2. High energy “survival” bars, sufficient to provide 2000+ calories/day (minimum) for two people for at least two days
You don't need food, you need water. Your body can't process those calories without a gallon a day of water. You're dead in three days, so leave the food at home, unless it makes you "feel" better emotionally to have it.

3. Water filtration straw (to allow use of water you “find” in streams, puddles etc.)
Not stupid, but probably not necessary, depending.

4. Small box waterproof matches/pack of fire starter cubes
For what? You're not sleeping outside.

5. 100 hour candle
I'd rather have a 50-hour candle and an extra cookie.

6. 4 “space blanket” survival blankets.
Why not five?

7. Metal cups, can be used to hold/melt snow, warm/cook, etc.
This is so situational dependent as to be unnecessary.

Well, you are certainly entitle to your opinion. There is a reason for the items I’ve noted, and they are based on 5 decades of playing off road in the 7 states I’ve lived in and the additional couple dozen where I’ve hunted, fished, and explored. Just an FYI -I was carrying a GI issue shovel before the “tacticool” crowd was born. Not cool, not great, but takes up little space and beats hell out of trying to dig without a shovel; Knife just needs to be a real knife vs a light duty fingernail cleaner; Tire plug kit and compressor. A small puncture can be fixed with a plug a lot easier than changing a tire, you may also need to air down in a situation, being able to reinflate a tire is handy; ever try to remove a lug nut some gorilla in the tire shop put on with an air gun at high pressure? Breaker makes it easy; Water bottles give you an immediate source of water AND containers you can reuse for water ran through the filter straw. As you said, water is critical. You need it to live; While you can get by for a couple days with no food, you’ll be a lot happier and have more energy if you have some fuel for your body: Matches-you May be spending the night, if so you will likely want a fire. Also you need something to light a candle. A candle inside a 50 cal can makes a small heater, it won’t make it “hot” but it will keep the interior of a vehicle above freezing. The 4 space blankets are so you will have 2 each for the two occupants in MY Jeep-back seat came out the day it came home;. Cups have multiple purposes-have used them with the candle stove above to melt snow and create water, add a bouillon cube and you’ve got a hot drink on a cold day.
Carry what works for your situation. In the desert I’d want a heck of a lot more water. Don’t need it here. Bottom line build a kit for your needs, but build it to cover situations you have a chance to encounter. Have a plan, whatever that may be. Oh, and an 8 k rated come along WILL pull a Jeep, been there and done that. No fun and hard work but it beats staying stuck.

If someone’s off road plan rely’s on cell phones and a credit card they may find a very unpleasant surprise off the road.

Hope this is helpful to the new folks. If you’ve been doing this for a few years either (1) you’ve already figured out what you need, or (2). You’ve been incredibly lucky. In any event Enjoy the adventure,

 

[Astro Jeep]

You didn't have to use such hurtful and personal language. Can't you disagree without making it so negative and personal?

No I can't, because with you it is a continual thing to be shitty. Once, twice, thrice over a year that is just having a bad day. It happens to everybody. With you it is all the time, and that just makes you what you are.

 

[Kreepin1]

Can you give some examples? I am genuinely curious.

Truth be told, zip ties are much more versatile and cover most of what we used to use bailing wire for. I still carry both.

I've used wire to repair a carburetor broken at the base. We wrapped it with duct tape create a vacuum seal and then the wire to hold it down. The guy's first attempt with just duct tape failed as soon as the engine got hot. We didn't have zip ties back then but I'd still use wire.

I've used it to support mufflers and tail pipes. Good luck using zip ties on any high temperature trail fix.

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