Off-road newbie: what would you not do without when wheelin'

[GraniteWilly]

Hey folks, I'm getting back into some light to moderate off-roading in my recently purchased Willys. I plan on doing a lot of weekend excursions here in Oregon with my 9yr old son. I'm not totally new to the dirt, but I need some schooling. What would you say are the absolute necessities for heading out on some good onX trails, in terms of safe, smart wheeling. I plan on doing mostly easy (1-3 rated) trails, with the occasional moderate (4?) thrown in. I'm talking about either modifications, recovery gear, equipment (e.g., winch), etc.

On certain trails on onX, a lot of people recommend airing down your tires. How do you recommend doing this (airing back up) without already having some pre-installed system? Is it common to bring along a portable compressor?

Is a winch a good investment for the type of trails I'm doing? It kind of seems like overkill to me, but I definitely do not want to get stuck with my kid out in the middle of nowhere. I know it's recommend to wheel with other people, but that's not always practical.

I plan on eventually getting a small recovery kit, but I was curious of what kinds of things you guys wouldn't do without out on the trail.

Thanks!

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[dchemphill1]

If you plan to air down. Carry a portable air compressor. If you find you are doing more and more trails, then you could put onboard air. I think a winch is good investment depending on where you will be off roading. If nothing to anchor a winch point to then it is a different situation and may require other items.
Communication system of some sort is advisable. Shovel is good to have. Plenty of lists on this forum and the internet of items to have. How far down the rabbit hole do you wanna go?

 

[svtrit]

Winch: I'm old school right now, though I would love a winch. I have used a come-a-long to pull me out when I was alone, or in a situation where we did not have a winch. I will throw that in my box when out alone in an area that could be problematic. I use my tow ropes with the come-a-long

Air Compressor: Right now, being very cheap, I use the air compressor that came in my wife's minivan. I suspect it will burn out eventually, but it works for now. My replacement will be a Harbor Freight air compressor, which I have used for work in the past.

I keep a basic set of tools. Keep in mind that you don't need a workshop. Jeeps use T25 torque sockets and 10mm, 13mm, and 15mm sockets and wrenches for most repair needs. Extensions as well. I keep a very basic Kobalt tool set in my box that has more than needed sockets, but fits into the box nice and square, along with a set of wrenches in a roll up kit. Pliers, channel locks, and vice grip is also included. A hammer is a good idea too.

Duct tape, zip ties, and a bit of wire are good to have as well.

Tire plug kit.

Jumper cables

First Aid kit

Extra sweatshirts for each person

Extra water.

 

[embedded rock]

Speedflate or similar rig to air up/down at least two tires at a time. A robust compressor to go with it.

 

[BVGeezer]

If you wheel alone or in remote areas invest in a Spot or similar satellite emergency beacon. In emergency situations it will get SAR to you quicker and notify family/friends of an issue. I've seen the value of them when people have been injured in wilderness sittings far away from help.

 

[Sparty]

Find a partner or buddy to go with you. I'd say that would be #1 on my list

 

[west tex]

Tow strap
Shovel
Zip ties
Basic tool set: pliers, wrenches, knife, socket set, duct tape
Strong flashlight
Air compressor
Heavy gauge wire, several feet
Lighter and fire starters
Fix-A-Flat

 

[Terrymo]

Find a partner or buddy to go with you. I'd say that would be #1 on my list

^
This. Ignore the people who say I’m a badass I wheel alone and, if had to wheel with others I’d never get to go off-road. Even as antisocial as I am I can find people to wheel with that have decades more experience than me. I had to join two or three Jeep clubs to find a few people who tolerate me but that’s ok.

 

[NPC 20883467]

'Cause you never know...

 

[Terrymo]

'Cause you never know...

If you have a 3.6 that needs to be put down.

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

Top 2 suggestions from me would be

1. Communications. If you are going out where there is no cell service and not many other people wheeling, you need a back up plan. Starlink Mini is a good option but there are others.

2. Someone mentioned jumper cables. I would opt for a portable battery jump kit instead. Something like

https://www.quadratec.com/p/scosche/powerup-700-portable-jump-starter-usb-charger

 

[YBABRAT]

If you have a 3.6 that needs to be put down.

Geezo, from what I hear from all the neg on 3.6L, is why waste a bullet, when the horse is dead?

 

[deznut6]

airing down and up ...Amazon has all kinds of manifold systems that make it easy...the lower cost models have plastic hoses that work OK but can be hard to stow...understand that modern autos need a good 12Volt source...watch your electrical usage when the engine not running...portable compressors are good , but some are small (lower cost) and take time to air up your tires (Low CFM) or more costly units (Higher CFM) need more amps, but fill up the tires in less time...there are some very good suggestions above...look them over and make Your list!...hth
https://www.amazon.com/Inflation-De...857821&sprefix=4+way+air+hose,aps,197&sr=8-11

 

[Murphydog]

Tell people where you are going before you go. They will know where to direct S&R if you don’t return

 

[moabman-OG]

#1 - A Jeep Wrangler - I've wheeled with all sorts of other vehicles and the Wranglers have always made it up the obstacles, then winched the Lexus and Toyota's up. That's not to say ALL the Lexus and Toyota's get stuck and winched, it's to say that the Wranglers have never been stuck getting winched by the Lexus and Toyota vehicles.

It makes for a long day winching 9 vehicles up an obstacle on an overlanding trip. Then, all the IFS take off like a bat out of hell leaving the SFAs back. Next time, I let them winch themselves so I can stay with the group, the 3 hours wasted winching will give me plenty of time to drive normal speeds and they can catch me down the trail. This part is also satire. I love working on a good team.

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