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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
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Brady Melville
Story & photos by Brady Melville, Pathmaker Productions
With over 20 years off-roading in the backcountry with friends, we take for granted all of the things you should bring out on the trail with you to be well prepared for any circumstance. With a recent rise in popularity of off-roading, and the connected nature of the world these days via mobile phones and social media, I have begun seeing a lot of “come save me” posts online from novice wheelers. With more reports of people leaving vehicles and returning to burned or looted rigs, it’s more important than ever to be self-sufficient in the bush, whether it’s getting unstuck, fixing a broken part, or having the necessary gear in case of a medical emergency. Realizing a lot of these wheelers are mostly new to off-roading I wanted to go over a basic inventory of gear that I have packed in my rig to ensure that it makes it back to the shop every night.
Growing up on the Southern part of Vancouver Island means there are fantastic places for off-roading, but in the hills and dense forests there are large areas without cellphone or radio reception. We quickly learned that after traveling just 50km down a gravel road or trail, in many ways, you’re on your own and you need to be well prepared. It’s smart to travel with a second vehicle, so that if you have any mechanical problems or get badly stuck, you at least have a way back to civilization, but hopefully enough people to help if you get out of a sticky situation. Before I get into the list I should also note how important it is to have all this gear fastened down. You never plan on being on your roof, but when it happens you don’t want to be hit in the head by a stray piece of equipment.
In my opinion the number one essential for any off-roader is a good tow-strap, if you get stuck you need a way to get pulled out, or if you break down you need to get pulled home. A good 20’ tow-strap with a 20,000lb rating is also much preferred to chain because a little bit of stretch can help get you out of the mud without losing your fillings, and as a bonus you can use it as a tree saver or anchor point while winching. Included with any tow-strap should be a few 5/8” or larger shackles so you can safely attach to a tow point on your own rig, without having to worry about your strap slipping off sketchy tow hooks or trailer balls.
Next item on my list is a good quality first-aid kit, it doesn’t come up often, but you only have to drive home with an oily rag taped around your finger once to make you want to always have a decently stocked kit with you.
The largest item on my list but one of the most useful is the classic Hi-Lift Jack. Requiring a bunch of space either inside or outside the vehicle, they range in size from 48”-60” and are an essential for any off-roader. From lifting the vehicle, to using it as a come-along, to taking off the handle and slipping it over a broken tie-rod it’s a must have piece of equipment for any one heading off the pavement.
A basic socket set is great to have, as well as a tool bag for a few assorted items that don’t come in your socket set like pliers, a hammer, duct tape, a small container of fuses, electrical fittings and tape as well as a few hoses, clamps and zip-ties. Tool bags strap down much easier than hard toolboxes and also pack away much smaller so I have found them the best way to bring hand tools with you. You can also easily pull them out of the rig and bring them to where you need them, which is a pain with bolted down tool boxes. Make sure to put a flashlight or headlamp in your bag because sometimes an early morning can turn into a late night on the trail and it’s never fun to be caught out after dark without a flashlight.
Under my rear seat I built a storage box for the things I don’t need very often but are essential to bring including motor oil, brake fluid, steering fluid and coolant. Sometimes a small branch can work its way in and knock off a hose, after which you can quickly find yourself short a litre of fluid.
I also run a winch on my rig, which I highly recommend for anyone spending time in the backcountry, and carry the accompanying winch gear. Since I run steel cable on my winch I make sure to have a pair of leather gloves in my rig so I don’t have to worry about getting poked by a loose wire strand on the cable. You’d think that an 8,000lb winch for a 6000lb rig is more than enough but you’d be surprised how quickly you can overpower even an 8,000lb winch. So another important piece of equipment is a snatch block. Basically a large pulley designed for a winch line that you connect to a shackle and a tree strap, and then back to the rig. It effectively doubles the pulling power of your winch, helping you get out of the stickiest situations as well as letting you pull in different directions if need be.
Having watched a rig burn to the ground before, it’s always important to have a fire extinguisher in your rig. With many manufacturers making great quick release mounts these days there is no excuse to not have one in reach of the driver at all times.
The last few things I make sure to pack in my tool box include a pair of jumper cables, rain gear, a tarp, as well as various spare parts like a u-joints, an extra hub and axle and other small items that you learn are your “weak link”. Without a huge amount of gear, you can be fully self-sufficient on the trail, which not only allows you to be safer in the backcountry, but also lets you explore further afield and push your rig a little harder and still make it home!
Brady Melville, of Pathmaker Productions, made a fantasy a reality by leaving corporate construction to pursue a career as an offroad photographer and videographer. Share in his adventures offroad at http://www.pathmakerproductions.com and www.youtube.com/pathmakerproductions for a front row seat on his next journey.
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