Newbie Needs Advice

[Tacoted]

I'm much more of a backcountry adventurer than a true overlander. I do a fair amount of backpacking (very comfortable soloing for 100+ miles/5+ days) and a small amount of remote camping. I'm good with self-reliance (shelter, water & food) but very new to using a support vehicle.

Recently I purchased a Toyota Tacoma 2WD Access cab pickup which I am planning as outfitting as an "expedition-lite" vehicle to get a bit more remote (backcountry and fire road type travel) but must also serve as my daily driver.

I have ordered a shell (carpet lined with 3 12v outlets, a dome light and a Thule rack) and built a light-weight removable sleeping platform. I have also built a support so I can secure an ice chest behind the passenger seat. I will be testing and adjusting my camping/backpacking gear for maximum utility and to store well in the vehicle.

My biggest question is what should I equip my vehicle with in terms of recovery equipment? I have a limited budget with 2 kids in college and another starting next year.

I've found a combination backup battery, power station and compressor (Cobra CJIC 250) that I will be likely to purchase in the next few months. I read about the Sven Saw in a thread on this forum. Sounds like a very practical and appropriate tool at a reasonable price. I'll probably pick up some version of a SPOT device for emergency communications. A member on another message board suggested a shovel and a Hi Lift jack (and appropriate expertise).

Is there a basic list of the most elementary of vehicle recovery equipment (the equivalent of the 10 items all hikers should carry)?

Also, I've found threads about airing down tires and using snow chains but where does one learn how to use a shovel and Hi Lift to perform vehicle recovery? Probably sounds like a pretty stupid question but as I said I'm new to the idea of a support vehicle.

 

[Adventure IQ]

I have a wrangler and xterra....the xterra is 2wd. Your budget is much like mine. For my xterra I am adding lockers and a good winch for recovery. There are techniques with a high lift jack, but you should seek training. My input is first, scout trails well before driving into an unknown area. Dont put you and your rig in a precarious position. Second, when possible, go with another rig and crew. Safety in numbers. We just did a backcountry tour of mining areas with a couple of 2wd rigs.

I'm doing some http://adventureiq.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/square-peg-expeditions/write ups and podcast over on my site for adventure guys like you and I that balance exploration with the hear and now. One day we will do a multi month tour, but right now we are limited to exploring the wild areas around us in two day to two week excursions


Rob
http://www.adventureiq.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adventure-IQ/210030892407247

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Welcome Tacoted,

Your Tacoma should be able to carry you to many beautiful places, and it sounds like you're setting it up very well.

The recovery gear you carry can be dictated by how far you intend to push the vehicle. If you stick to fire roads and similar routes a shovel might be all you ever need. If you want to explore further, a set of Maxtrax would be affordable and good insurance if you get in too deep and need to reverse out. Airing down your tires is an excellent way to optimize traction, but you should buy a good dedicated compressor; I don't think much of the combination units. Upgrading your tires to a moderate all-terrain pattern will also help traction.

A Hi-Lift jack will do you little or no good unless your truck has bumpers that can support it.

If you can afford it, an ARB locker for your differential would significantly enhance traction, giving you nearly the capability of a 4WD vehicle with no lockers.

Finally, for all sorts of learning opportunities and camaraderie, come to the Overland Expo this May!

 

[Stumpalump]

He's hooked.

10 items...

Tire repair kit like a real one not Wallmart
Tow strap, jack,chain and shovel and cheap hatchet for roots.
Enough fluids to get you out if you loose fluid
Tools and more tools specific to your rig
Common nuts bolts and hardware specific to your rig
First aid
Emergency food, clothing, fire starter,blanket ect that you may need to wait out a blizzard or washed out road. Think bug out bag.
Basic electrical repair items like wire, fuses and I carry a meter.
Navigation backup like maps, GPS and compass.

 

[Tacoted]

Appreciate the Advice

The recovery gear you carry can be dictated by how far you intend to push the vehicle. If you stick to fire roads and similar routes a shovel might be all you ever need.

Got one of those. Just need some QuickFists.

If you want to explore further, a set of Maxtrax would be affordable and good insurance if you get in too deep and need to reverse out.

Those Maxtrax look nice. I'll keep an eye out for some on CraigsList. For now, my sleeping platform is made of 2 6' 1x8s, 2 6' 1x6s and 3 2'x4.75' sections of 1/2" ply. I figured I could use some of that in case of emergency. Replacement cost would be about $10 or less per piece.

Airing down your tires is an excellent way to optimize traction, but you should buy a good dedicated compressor; I don't think much of the combination units.

I went back and reread the reviews and it does sound like the compressors on the combination units are pretty poor. I'm rethinking that I should get a Viair 80. Someday I'll add a dual battery system but in the mean time I'd still like a jumpstarter/powersource. Schumacher seems to make some pretty decent ones.

Upgrading your tires to a moderate all-terrain pattern will also help traction.

The truck came with 215/70R15 Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires. My understanding is I can get to about a 30" LT High Flotation without lifting. I'd like to eventually change over to BFG AT KO 30 x 9.5 x 15.

A Hi-Lift jack will do you little or no good unless your truck has bumpers that can support it.

Thanks. That's not likely for a long time.

If you can afford it, an ARB locker for your differential would significantly enhance traction, giving you nearly the capability of a 4WD vehicle with no lockers.

Probably out of the budget for 2-3 years.

Finally, for all sorts of learning opportunities and camaraderie, come to the Overland Expo this May!

I checked out the web site but if I'm reading it right, I can only attend the recovery and driving classes if I register for the whole weekend. I'm in Socal and could only make it over for Saturday and maybe half of Sunday. Gonna have to think about that one and take a closer look when the final schedule comes out in March. I'm planning 3-4 weekend trips between now and May. That'll give me a chance to determine if gear or training has more immediate value.

 

[Tacoted]

I'm doing some http://adventureiq.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/square-peg-expeditions/write ups and podcast over on my site for adventure guys like you and I that balance exploration with the hear and now. One day we will do a multi month tour, but right now we are limited to exploring the wild areas around us in two day to two week excursions


Rob
http://www.adventureiq.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adventure-IQ/210030892407247

Love the blog post. That's pretty much where I'm at. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Tacoted]

He's hooked.

10 items...

Good list. Do you have a recommendation on a tire repair kit?

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Regarding tire repair kits: Buy this one from Extreme Outback and you'll never need another. This one from ARB is also excellent.

Regarding the Overland Expo - it would be well worth your time to come on a day pass. There are lots of free demos and slide shows, and about 80 vendors. Plus several thousand like-minded people. And day-pass holders can take the Land Rover driving course, which is an eye-opener and instructive as well.

 

[Stumpalump]

I have owned a http://www.safetyseal.com/store/offroad.htm for over a decade and its been great. I also have an ARB kit and it seems as good. They work as basic plug kits but the one Johnathan suggested will have absolutely everything you may ever need and would be best. The reason you need a good one is because you may need many plugs to patch a hole and somtimes just fixing a screew hole takes a lot of force. You need a quality tool just to get some plugs in and the cheap plastic handled ones break and injure you. That's the last thing you need when you are in the boondocks. Any gear failure can turn major when your miles from a good road so choose wisely and search out the best gear. Use any vendors here and you will get the right stuff. Ask a lot of questions here and take advantage of the worldwide experts that are willing to help. That way you wont wind up with useless gadgets or poorly made equipment that has a poor record. In other words you came to the right place to sort your rig and gear. Good luck!