off-road emergency gear

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CrasherAsher

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I am cleaning out my truck and trying to figure out what essentials I need when for when I go to the desert with out taking up to much space. So far I have 20ft tow strap, 12ft chain, mini air compressor, tire repair kit (I also have a spare tire), flash light, Jack, duck tape, zip ties, bailing wire, small tool set. what am i missing?


Thanks everyone for your posts this is a fun and interesting thread. I like to hear everyone responses and views. my plan for this "oh **** bag" is that i can leave it in the truck no matter its 30 degrees or 115 degrees. So am i going avoid batteries, food, and first aid.
I never go in the desert without at least 3 gallons of water, 2nd way of communication (flares, mirror, radio) and always tell people where i am starting and where i am coming out and times. My dad rule was you just have to get back to blacktop (main road) doesn't matter if you have to drive with 3 tires just get back to the black top.
After living in AZ my whole and the countless hours spent camping and off-roading in the desert as many of you know you cant plan for every scenario. But now that i have kids and I want to share my love of the desert with them. Surviving and protecting them is #1. That is my main reason that I am go over my kits with a fine comb.

So after reading your posts I think i am going to break into 3 kits.
kit1 never leaves the truck, it will be non perishable tool and supplies.
lug wrench
Tool kit
tow straps
chain
zip ties
duck tape
bailing wire
paracord
jumper cables
shovel
trash bags
gloves
big ass knife
tire repair kit
glow stick
flare
jack
serpentine belt
kit2 Battery operated tools and med kit
air compressor
med kit
impact
flash light
tarp (to big to keep in the truck)
kit3 food and water
food
water
 
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KoboldTaco

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First-aid Kit
Window punch
Battery jump box (small one) not one of those giant ones from Costco.

Anytime I go out camping I also invested in a Garmin inReach. Amazing for those moments when you have ZERO cell and you can text over sat, or push the button and they send in the emergency responders by helicopter if necessary.
 
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CrasherAsher

CrasherAsher

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First-aid Kit
Window punch
Battery jump box (small one) not one of those giant ones from Costco.

Anytime I go out camping I also invested in a Garmin inReach. Amazing for those moments when you have ZERO cell and you can text over sat, or push the button and they send in the emergency responders by helicopter if necessary.

All 3 very good, and yea i got a jump box and yea its the big yellow form costco, couldn't pass it up lol. but i dont keep it in my truck i only throw it in when i am going out. i have a smaller one and it says it can jump my truck but i just don't trust it and plus with smaller ones you don't get to many chances.

I have a handheld Garmin GPS that i always take with me so at least i can always find the way home. I am very strict about not going out without a buddy with me a lesson my dad drilled into me.
 

KoboldTaco

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All 3 very good, and yea i got a jump box and yea its the big yellow form costco, couldn't pass it up lol. but i dont keep it in my truck i only throw it in when i am going out. i have a smaller one and it says it can jump my truck but i just don't trust it and plus with smaller ones you don't get to many chances.

I have a handheld Garmin GPS that i always take with me so at least i can always find the way home. I am very strict about not going out without a buddy with me a lesson my dad drilled into me.
Nice that you always travel with your bud - overlanding is more fun with friends anyway.

The mini-jump boxes were something that I was always skeptical about until I was using them on my motorcycle where everything needs to be small yet mighty. There are a lot of junk small jump boxes out there But if you do your research you can find one that will minimize your footprint. I used Innocircuit on my motorcycle and it jumped my girls explorer. Not sure about a monster ram truck but you never know.
 
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CrasherAsher

CrasherAsher

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@KoboldTaco it never hurts to do research for sure, if i can find one that wont kill my wallet then I will consider it. but CAT box from costco comes in handy it can inflate my 35's to almost 35 pci. not completely inflated but enough to get me home.
 

KoboldTaco

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@KoboldTaco it never hurts to do research for sure, if i can find one that wont kill my wallet then I will consider it. but CAT box from costco comes in handy it can inflate my 35's to almost 35 pci. not completely inflated but enough to get me home.
This is the one my buddy has. Check them out - I have seen them multiple times at motorcycle shows and their stuff works amazing.

 
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CrasherAsher

CrasherAsher

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Fire extinguisher, spare serpentine belt, a solid surface to put under the jack.
yea I forgot to say i have fire extinguisher in my truck. But serpentine belt didn't even think about that one.
 

MADDOG

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In addition to those items mentioned:

Tree strap
Bottle jack
Small ratchet straps
Folding shovel
Gloves
snatchblock(s)
Tire deflators
Portable compressor
Plastic bags or trash bags
 
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CrasherAsher

CrasherAsher

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In addition to those items mentioned:

Tree strap
Bottle jack
Small ratchet straps
Folding shovel
Gloves
snatchblock(s)
Tire deflators
Portable compressor
Plastic bags or trash bags
I use my chain as a tree strap, bottle jack are always good to have same with ratchet straps. I like the shovel and ****** blocks i always forget that i need those. I never go anywhere without gloves i have them stashed in all my vehicles. Personally I think tire deflators or more a convince thing i mean if i find one dirt cheap while i am in a store sure why not. I have a compressor already. Trash bags are a must always have those with me.
 
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CrasherAsher

CrasherAsher

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If it's a tow strap, you'll want to replace that with a recovery strap. The difference is a recovery strap is designed to stretch and use kinetic energy to help pull a vehicle out.
Have you heard anything about Rhino brand straps, I see the advertisements plastered everywhere. are they any good or they just for show?
 

crash68

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Have you heard anything about Rhino brand straps,
no idea about that brand, I have a 30' ARB recovery strap that I've used a couple of times. It's worked good so far but don't think I've really pushed it to it's limits either.
 

bm02tj

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When you using a recovery strap or rope do not hook to a trailer ball as they make deadly flying objects
 

crash68

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When you using a recovery strap or rope do not hook to a trailer ball as they make deadly flying objects
yeah if you really try at, these guys did everything they could to make it happen which took 8 tries for the uncut towball
Subsequent attempts they cut halfway through the shank
 

Jeepwalker

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I didn't see jumper cables on your list. I would replace the duct tape with Gorilla tape (much better). I normally throw in a cheap Harbor Freight multi-meter, but that's me. Make sure your spare is filled. CBs or other two-way radios can be fun to communicate to others on the trail, but not strictly necessary. Take a couple gal of water, obviously, and some snacks.
 

bm02tj

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It is rare but I know one person that saw it happen and luck was with them as no one was injured
The same as winch cables breaking it happens
 

Burn2k12Ram

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Those small tool sets always seem to be missing a size or sizes and are always the ones that you end up needing. Just saying lol. Check your common sizes for any that are missing. Especially that Ninja 10mm. I have a dedicated Milwaukee M12 stubby with 22mm socket that stays in the truck. Makes changing that spare easy lol.
 

Socalramfan

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Food and water……. As mentioned but beer substitutes too for water :waytogo:
 
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