Six Examples of Must-Have off Road Gear
September 11th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
A report by the U.S. Forest Service estimated that 43 million Americans are off-road enthusiasts. That was 12 years ago, during rising gas prices, so how many are there today? Let’s just say, a lot!
People go off-roading for different reasons. For the thrill of it, to escape the city, hang with friends, and enjoy the outdoors. We can debate whether the best off-road experience is with a Jeep Wrangler, a Toyota 4Runner, or another vehicle of your liking. But one thing almost all off-roaders agree on is the importance of investing in the right accessories and gear to enhance your experience and keep safe.
Here are six examples of must-have off road gear:
1. A heavy-duty jack
If you have ever tried, then you know what a total pain it is to change a tire once you are away from cement-paved roads. Even if your off-road vehicle is parked in your driveway, getting under it can be a challenge, even for vehicles that are higher above the ground. The key is to make sure you carry a heavy-duty jack that is up to the challenge. Don’t count on the tire jack that came with your vehicle; you need something with more oomph. One example is Hi-Lift X-TREME, a tall jack that can help you raise a vehicle weighing up to 7,000 pounds, trapped in deep sand, and help you escape other stressful situations. Off-road enthusiasts have been using the Hi-Lift for many years and consider it one of their favorite tools.
2. Multi-purpose fire extinguisher
A fire is a real possibility. Think of all the possible culprits inside your vehicle, from antifreeze to oils and hot exhaust pipes. One of your must-have off road essentials is a multi-purpose fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers get rated by the National Fire Protection Association according to the types of fires they can extinguish. Class A fires involve substances like wood and paper. Class B extinguishers are for fires from liquids like gas, diesel fuel, and kerosene. Class C extinguishers are for intended to put out fires caused by electrical equipment and panel boxes.
You’ll want to get a multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher that works effectively on all three classes of fires.
3. Flashlight and portable lighting
Many off roaders enjoy a little adventure at night. An indispensible piece of off road equipment for nightriders is a strong LED flashlight in case you need to get out of your vehicle and fix something under the hood. Consider investing in magnetic-backed safety lights or a hands-free headband light.
4. Portable air compressor
When you get off the cement and into the natural environment, it’s a tradition for a lot of guys to let out a little air from their tires. But when the day comes to an end, you have to put air back in your tires. Enter the portable air compressor, which you can use to fill your tires right back up to their proper PSI. Talk about must-have off road equipment! Some brands work off the power from your car battery. Make sure to get one that’s waterproof.
5. Extraction toolkit
Off road recovery gear is essential for any off-road enthusiast. It’s not a matter of whether you will get stuck, but when. An extraction toolkit, specially designed for off-roaders, will help you escape ditches with your pride intact. What do you need in your extraction toolkit? You’ll grow it over time, but a recovery board or traction mat (to place under your stuck tires), rope, and a small shovel are good ones to start with. The best kinds of tools are durable and lightweight so the extra load doesn’t diminish your power.
6. First-aid kit
Among the must-have off road essentials is a first-aid kit. If a medical emergency occurs, whether it’s a small accident or something more serious, a first-aid kit is indispensable. What items should you keep in there? For starters, gauze, bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic spray, antibiotic ointment, over-the-counter pain medicine, some cotton swabs, and scissors.
If you do get into an accident while offroading, Fix Auto USA is open for business. We work with major insurance companies, and we are more than happy to work directly with your carrier to make sure the process is handled correctly. Our goal is to get you back on the road as safely and quickly as possible. Click here to find the closest Fix Auto location near you!
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Juneau, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing Juneau and the surrounding area in Alaska.
