Off Roading Check List - Be Prepared

If you saw a break in the bushes as you wereenough stuff to keep yourself overnight, spare
driving down the road, what would you do?food and water, warm cloths, etc.
Personally, I prefer to slam on the brakes and- 3. Safety Equipment. Make sure you have some
turn the steering wheel. The person next to youway to get yourself unstuck if you get stuck.
might be a bit upset that you're going to makeSafety equipment can include a hi-lift jack, winch,
them late to whatever it was you were drivingtow straps, etc.
to, but heck you can't beat some good- 4. First Aid Kit. Always bring a first aid kit. You
off-roading time! So just point it towards the bushnever know when you (or someone else) might
and gun it...need it.
Or should you? Before you take off down a very- 5. Tools & Parts. Make sure you bring
bumpy and treacherous path, you really shouldenough tools and parts with you that will allow
take in to account a couple of things about youryou to fix stuff on the trail if it might break. This
vehicle. Do you have enough fuel to make it thereincludes spare tires and the like. Obviously this is a
and back? How about a vehicle that's capable ofvery short list, it's not meant to be all inclusive.
making it? Does your cell phone have a goodTruth be known, my personal check list is 50-60
charge on it? Does anyone know where you'reitems long, and I still worry rather or not I've
going? What about your tires? Will they hold up?forgotten something. Regardless, be careful out
There are a lot of things to take in tothere, you don't want to end up on the news, and
consideration when you decide to go out for ayou don't want to be the "guy" who everyone
romp in the mountains. Here's a few of the barehas to rush out at midnight to save because he
essentials you should know when you go off thedidn't plan accordingly.
highway:If you're not comfortable with the area, or not
- 1. Travel with another vehicle. This one should gocomfortable with your rig, find a local who is.
without saying; it's just downright foolish to go outThere are 4x4 clubs all over the nation, and they
in to remote areas by yourself without any otherlove to accept on new members who are just
rigs along with you. What if your rig gets disabledgetting started out in the sport, and you're no
and you have no cell coverage? Worse yet, whatexception. So, before you do something stupid,
happens if you get hurt?that would get yourself in trouble or hurt, do
- 2. Pack for overnight. Just in case the worstsomething smart and make some lifetime friends
case scenario does happen, make sure you havein the process.