Off-Road Gear List - what am I missing?

[DarthAWM]

I’m setting up my 4xe Rubicon X, I’m not changing the wheels or height and am just looking at day trips, not big overland stuff, will be going solo.

I have a factory winch, and so far the following kit in the trunk or on order:

• On-board ARB compressor with four way set up.
• Deflators.
• IFAK.
• Decent rechargeable flashlight.
• Recovery kit (tree protector/shackles/pulley/etc.)
• Tyre repair kit.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Belt cutter/window breaker.
• All weather mats.
• Tool kit with sockets/wrenches/zip ties/allen keys/etc.
• Dog.

I feel like my SHTF needs are covered, or am I missing anything super important?

Photo attached of dog, for reference.

May just be the desert dweller in me, but water? are you bringing extra water?

Sponsored

 

[GRAK]

 

[GRAK]

May just be the desert dweller in me, but water? are you bringing extra water?

yeah uh also i dont see any mention of flasks, soft cooler, fridge etc.. but surely he just sees booze as an obvious given, before wallet n keys

 

[Scott97]

Harbor Freight has a decent folding shovel. There are better ones out there but the HF one folds up nice and compact. Corona makes a great folding saw with a super sharp 10" blade. Lowes sells them. Also recommend a couple extra shackles. The soft ones are great, easy to store and lightweight. Lots of options on Amazon. You will run out of space before you run out of items for your list

 

[Bonsai Elephant]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, helping me create a solid set up.

To respond to a few of the comments…

I was taking food and water as read (for the beast and I).

Trail clearing kit: saw, axe, chainsaw, got it.

Comms - I’m not sure I’ll be moving beyond cellphone service on day trips, but it’s something I’ve thought about.

Overnight gear, it crossed my mind to throw a sleeping bag in the trunk, can’t hurt as I have sleeping bags and space.

On-board vs. portable compressor, I prefer the idea of on-board four way for a couple of reasons: back injury, four way automatic pressure setting works better for me; anally retentive/borderline OCD, mismatching pressures will drive me to distraction!

A cat, too allergic, plus conflict in the trunk is too much for me to deal with, if I wanted that I’d bring the kids!

Alcohol, call me a goody two shoes, but not for a day trip!

GPS, is the 2024 Jeep on-board service sufficient, or if not does it become so with a subscription (Black Friday deal available at the moment!), or should I go with On X on my phone, wouldn’t that be dependant on phone service or can you download for off-line use? Other recommendations?

Enjoying your feedback guys, definitely teaching me a few things, I appreciate you all!

 

[Blueliner3]

I agree with this, and I'll also add that when I go on extremely tough rock crawling trails, I like being able to dial in all 4 tires to be the exact same low PSI. I like rolling at 11 for the most part. 4 way hose allows you to know that all 4 are exactly the same. Less important for everyday trails.

+1 on 4-way air system, particularly if afflicted with OCD. Allows PSIs to equalize when airing down/up. Only one gauge to check.

Also feels faster than others at the end of the trail… maybe because the compressor flow is going to 4 Schrader valves instead of limited to 1 at a time?

Best purchase in my off-road kit.

 

[wanderer]

Personal stuff warm jacket sleeping bag Etc personal protection ? Gun ?

 

[Ratbert]

GPS, is the 2024 Jeep on-board service sufficient, or if not does it become so with a subscription (Black Friday deal available at the moment!), or should I go with On X on my phone, wouldn’t that be dependant on phone service or can you download for off-line use? Other recommendations?

Phone-based GPS is more than sufficient for all but a minuscule subset of people here. I'd recommend Trails Off Road over OnX for those that live in areas with lots of trails since (at least in CO) OnX has just too many details (very poor signal to noise ratio).

Both let you download, but OnX makes you select small segments while TOR lets you specify by state. TOR also has a really slick follow mode.

 

[Bonsai Elephant]

Phone-based GPS is more than sufficient for all but a minuscule subset of people here. I'd recommend Trails Off Road over OnX for those that live in areas with lots of trails since (at least in CO) OnX has just too many details (very poor signal to noise ratio).

Both let you download, but OnX makes you select small segments while TOR lets you specify by state. TOR also has a really slick follow mode.

That’s good to know, thanks!

TOR is built into U-Connect on my Jeep, so I can run it on the big screen in the dash, and as it’s 50% off for a year now that works out well.

 

[wibornz]

GPS could come in handy.
I also carry a Garmin InReach Mini as the vast majority of our wheeling areas have zero cell coverage

I used to carry an Garmin Mini InReach too. I have even used it to rescue me off the Dalton Hwy in Alaska. I have since sold it as I can now do the same thing with my Apple phone with out paying the $30 a month subscription to Garmin. I think you have to have an iPhone 13 or higher. I have an iPhone 15.

 

[Bonsai Elephant]

Musk’s just enabled Starlink direct to phone, which will make this kind of thing even more effective.

Sponsored