Brody
December 28th, 2008, 08:57 AM
Here is a link to a basic 'what to bring' and a good vehicle check list to go through BEFORE you leave your driveway:
http://www.arizonaoutback.com/offroadtips.html
Here is another link for recovery information. This link also has a great deal of information on off road driving and wheeling in general. A lot of information for new 4 wheelers..:
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/checklists/a/aa121901a_4.htm
And a youtube recovery training video with many informative linked videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2NTiniZcrQ
The one thing that none of these lists mention is what to carry your extra clothes and personal emergency supplies in. Remember that you may very well have to walk out...
I have found that any of the river style waterproof bags work exceptionally well and come in a variety of sizes and style. Most of them are made of a Herculite kind of cloth, much the same as what rafts are made from. The are all designed to withstand being in or under water for long periods of time. I use two styles, one is a water proof duffel style with carrying handles and an over the shoulder strap. The other style is a pack style, with or with out a waist belt, that I can carry on my back. Into these go all my emergency clothes and anything else that I need to stay dry or to keep dry.. These are usually very stout, but it pays to spend a little time and a few more bucks to get a good one. I have a couple of these, that, although they have been patched a bit, remain waterproof and usable even after 15 or 20 years of rather brutal use. The other option, especially if you are a climber with big wall experience and gear, is to use the climbing 'haul bags'. These are even more burly and are also water proof.
As far as all of the other recovery gear and back country supplies, pretty much anything goes as far as storage containers. I found that many of the 'soft' items can be put into small ammo cans, small packs, and small duffel bags. As far as a source for the ammo cans, any Army Navy Surplus stores have these, usually fairly cheap and in a few different configurations. Source the other packs or duffels at any outdoor retailer, or, better yet, go to any Goodwill or ARC and pick them up for a dime on the dollar.
Don't forget to bring a sharpie marker and something to write on. If you have to leave your vehicle for any reason, it is good to put a note on it giving where you have headed and when you expect to be back, also a phone number. This won't stop someone from breaking into your rig, which they would do anyway, (with or without a note) but might keep any FS Ranger, Sheriff or Highway Patrol from immediately towing your rig. Most importantly, it lets anyone who stops know that you are ok and that there is no need to mount a huge rescue operation. On the flip side of this, if someone is injured and mobile, it will get help to you fast. Make sure that you state which direction you are headed, what time you left, injured parties and what kind of injuries, time, and where you are going.
Another recovery gear and vehicle prep link:
http://www.4x4connection.com/tech/recoverytips.htm
And another:
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/trail/131_0805_4x4_trail_recovery_equipment_survival_kit/index.html
Okay...if you can't or won't figure out what you are needing to have in your rig or what to do before you leave your driveway with this collection of articles, you should probably take up another sport such as competitive sewing....and not leave your house at all...
http://www.arizonaoutback.com/offroadtips.html
Here is another link for recovery information. This link also has a great deal of information on off road driving and wheeling in general. A lot of information for new 4 wheelers..:
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/checklists/a/aa121901a_4.htm
And a youtube recovery training video with many informative linked videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2NTiniZcrQ
The one thing that none of these lists mention is what to carry your extra clothes and personal emergency supplies in. Remember that you may very well have to walk out...
I have found that any of the river style waterproof bags work exceptionally well and come in a variety of sizes and style. Most of them are made of a Herculite kind of cloth, much the same as what rafts are made from. The are all designed to withstand being in or under water for long periods of time. I use two styles, one is a water proof duffel style with carrying handles and an over the shoulder strap. The other style is a pack style, with or with out a waist belt, that I can carry on my back. Into these go all my emergency clothes and anything else that I need to stay dry or to keep dry.. These are usually very stout, but it pays to spend a little time and a few more bucks to get a good one. I have a couple of these, that, although they have been patched a bit, remain waterproof and usable even after 15 or 20 years of rather brutal use. The other option, especially if you are a climber with big wall experience and gear, is to use the climbing 'haul bags'. These are even more burly and are also water proof.
As far as all of the other recovery gear and back country supplies, pretty much anything goes as far as storage containers. I found that many of the 'soft' items can be put into small ammo cans, small packs, and small duffel bags. As far as a source for the ammo cans, any Army Navy Surplus stores have these, usually fairly cheap and in a few different configurations. Source the other packs or duffels at any outdoor retailer, or, better yet, go to any Goodwill or ARC and pick them up for a dime on the dollar.
Don't forget to bring a sharpie marker and something to write on. If you have to leave your vehicle for any reason, it is good to put a note on it giving where you have headed and when you expect to be back, also a phone number. This won't stop someone from breaking into your rig, which they would do anyway, (with or without a note) but might keep any FS Ranger, Sheriff or Highway Patrol from immediately towing your rig. Most importantly, it lets anyone who stops know that you are ok and that there is no need to mount a huge rescue operation. On the flip side of this, if someone is injured and mobile, it will get help to you fast. Make sure that you state which direction you are headed, what time you left, injured parties and what kind of injuries, time, and where you are going.
Another recovery gear and vehicle prep link:
http://www.4x4connection.com/tech/recoverytips.htm
And another:
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/trail/131_0805_4x4_trail_recovery_equipment_survival_kit/index.html
Okay...if you can't or won't figure out what you are needing to have in your rig or what to do before you leave your driveway with this collection of articles, you should probably take up another sport such as competitive sewing....and not leave your house at all...