Are You Prepared for the Boonies?

These days, it’s easy to venture off-road with the peace of mind that help is just a cell phone call away, but that’s not always the case. The farther from civilization you travel, the spottier cell reception gets and the costlier it is when you need to be rescued, whether it’s by a recovery company or your best friend. Depending on the place you are stranded at, you might not be able to get a tow truck at any price, as some road service providers won’t leave the pavement.

With a little forethought, it’s not that difficult to carry some basic supplies that will prevent a minor situation from becoming a major hassle. I travel miles from civilization, so I carry extensive tools, spare parts, and extra supplies at all times. These are some essential items everyone should carry:

First Aid Kit – Nobody plans on being injured. It usually happens without warning. Sometimes a person just feels ill, so it’s nice to have some aspirin or something for an upset stomach. Most serious kits (not a cheapo from the dollar store) will have what you need for basic first aid. You can go through them and add items as needed. Be sure to include any prescription medications you are taking or a bee sting kit if you are allergic.
Fire Extinguisher – You don’t want to be standing by helplessly watching as your truck, gear, and provisions burn to the ground. You might even be a hero to someone else whose rig is on fire.
A good jack
A tow strap
A tire repair kit
Onboard Air – This comes in handy for blowing the dust out of an air filter, filling tires, or inflating a mattress when camping.
Tools – Sooner or later, you will need to use some tools to troubleshoot or repair something that may break.
Water and Fuel – If you are going on an extended trip, you might pack extra water and fuel. Just make sure both are kept clean and are mounted safely.
A Change of Clothes – It never hurts to have some extra clothing in case the weather changes to be either hotter or colder.
Shovel and an Axe
Lights – If you are driving at night, you should have some auxiliary lighting. It’s a lot easier to find trails at night if you have some lights pointing to the side or a handheld spotlight.

Of course, you should always keep your rig well maintained unless you like playing MacGyver for the pure challenge. If you do enough back country travel, you will get stuck or break down at some time. Part of the fun of off-roading is learning your limits and that of your vehicle. Just make sure you can make it back safely.