Ultron
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I'm assembling a list of mostly cheap (under $100) things that I'm acquiring as essentials for my new Jeep. A lot of it I had borrowed from friends on previous adventures, and since I don't have a car payment this month I figured I'd use that hole in my budget to get all the things I feel I need on my trips. None of it is Jeep specific, just general leaving the pavement stuff. Here it is in no particular order.
Let me know what you all think, if you have any additions I should make, or stuff that's essential to you!
- Portable air compressor - I went with a VIAIR 400p because I don't want to wait forever for me and my friends to air up (this is the only item that was over $100).
- Fire extinguisher - so much cheaper than a burned out Jeep or starting a forest/brush fire.
- Shovel - I found an all metal 30" D handle spade shovel for under $30 to dig my way out of sand or a hole for the call of nature.
- Walkie-talkies/comms - CB is popular. FRS is the cheapest and usually all you need. GMRS is a little more powerful, but requires a $85 license. Ham is best and can be cheap.
- Portable grill - my friend had a char-broil charcoal grill (~$35) for a couple years and it worked great so I picked one up. It's cheap but it works.
- Tarp and bungee cords - sit on it, sit under it. Get a hi-vis one so you don't forget it, and can use it as a flag to find base camp/attract help.
- Cheap sunglasses - they don't look good, but what's really not cool is not being able to see nature in all its glorious beauty because you or a passenger lost or broke sunglasses. Also cheap because they might get stolen, but not so cheap that they don't have UV protection.
- Gloves - I have some big thick leather work gloves that stay in there, and mechanix gloves in a bag that usually comes with me.
- Water - I have a couple Nalgene 96oz canteens. They take up basically no space when unfilled. Also a water filter and water purification tablets if I get caught in a pinch but find some water.
- Emergency food bars - 3600 calories per rice-krispy treat sized bar. If you NEED to eat one they'd probably taste really good at that point. Or take a little nibble for lunch if you forgot/ran out of food.
- Tire deflator - It can be really cheap and be a stick, but there are much better cheap options too. Air down to proper levels for the terrain.
- First aid kit - look at the contents of popular kits, then buy 2 or 3 generic empty first aid bags and buy and assemble the contents yourself. Limit it to things you have the knowledge to use, you aren't the doctor from Master and Commander. Now you have a couple for the price of one and can leave one in your Jeep and one in the hiking bag/at home/other Jeep/etc.
- Recovery strap (NOT tow strap) - be the one who has their own recovery gear to potentially break if someone has to pull you out, at the very least. Don't get stuck and need to ask for help AND gear. Or learn how to use it properly and help others as well.
- Jumper cables - to help those in their TJ's who left their headlights on with the doors off and walked away like a cool guy walks away from an explosion.
- Trash bags - put both yours and the trail degenerates trash in one, and throw it all away when you're done! Have a roll of them so others can help too. Go heavy duty because you don't want anything leaking inside.
- Paper towels - those blue shop ones are my favorite.
- Passengers/convoy - if watching 127 Hours has taught me anything about going out alone, it's don't.
Let me know what you all think, if you have any additions I should make, or stuff that's essential to you!
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