Required kit...

[Root Moose]

I went tent, table and chairs, awning.

Being under a tree won't help much in a down pour so I took the awning. You guys in the SW probably don't have such issues.

The rest is pure comfort. If you don't provide comfort someone in your group will be miserable which in turn will make you miserable. :elkgrin:

 

[Martinjmpr]

Interesting sort of exercise but there are waaay too many variables to come up with a universal list.

I would delete the SPOT and replace it with a GPS.

If it was anywhere in the CONUS I would add a cell phone. I've been amazed at where my phone works, particularly in the desert Southwest where lines of sight are very long.

CB IMO is only useful for communicating between vehicles in a group.

Tent: Depends on the size of the group. If it's me and the wife we can sleep in the truck, no tent neccessary and no need to worry about creepy-crawlies.

Firearm? Meh. I usually carry one but I have to admit that in 25+ years of exploring the backcountry I have yet to need it. In many parts of the world having a gun will get you into a lot more trouble than it could possibly get you out of, so I'd leave it off the essentials list.

Climate would also be a huge factor: Obviously you wouldn't carry the same "essential" gear if you were in Montana in January as you would if you were in Arizona in July.

 

[roostercruiser]

i dont want to sound stupid but whats a SPOT?

 

[BIGdaddy]

Interesting sort of exercise but there are waaay too many variables to come up with a universal list.

I would delete the SPOT and replace it with a GPS.

If it was anywhere in the CONUS I would add a cell phone. I've been amazed at where my phone works, particularly in the desert Southwest where lines of sight are very long.

CB IMO is only useful for communicating between vehicles in a group.

Tent: Depends on the size of the group. If it's me and the wife we can sleep in the truck, no tent neccessary and no need to worry about creepy-crawlies.

Firearm? Meh. I usually carry one but I have to admit that in 25+ years of exploring the backcountry I have yet to need it. In many parts of the world having a gun will get you into a lot more trouble than it could possibly get you out of, so I'd leave it off the essentials list.

Climate would also be a huge factor: Obviously you wouldn't carry the same "essential" gear if you were in Montana in January as you would if you were in Arizona in July.

another type A planner. haha! great post!

 

[BIGdaddy]

i dont want to sound stupid but whats a SPOT?

not stupid. its like a GPS transmitter that uses satellites to send certain messages. It'll transmit your location in an emergency, to rescuers. If you pay a bit extra per
year it covers SAR expenses to a certain point.

it's about $130-150.00, with a small yearly fee.

Very cool, IMO.

p.s. it has 3 buttons actually. One is to send a previously chosen message like,"Alls well, arrived safely", the second is like," Everyone safe, but need assistance", the third is the "I'm presently being eaten by a lion, please send Kirk Douglas and Val kilmer ASAP"

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

 

[Martinjmpr]

Wait, I just noticed something: With the exception of the sand ladders there's no recovery or extraction gear on either list.

I never go out of my driveway without jumper cables. I never go off road without a snatch strap, a small shovel, road flares (great emergency fire starters, BTW) warning triangles, a cross-type lug wrench and an air compressor.

First aid kit and fire extinguisher go without saying, I think. I also have a tool roll with basic tools (socket wrench handle, extensions, multiple sockets in common sizes, vice grips, ball peen hammer, needle nose pliers, mixture of open and box-end wrenches, basic screwdrivers, etc.) The roll keeps everything compact and tight, it doesn't bounce around and it doesn't make noise.

 

[Hilldweller]

I usually carry one but I have to admit that in 25+ years of exploring the backcountry I have yet to need it.

In the past 38 years I've only drawn a weapon once (didn't need to fire it) and would've liked to have had one once when I didn't have it with me...
First one was man-beast, second time was bears.

 

[Co-opski]

SPOT in case poop hits the fan.
1(fuel) can in case i need to fuel the rig longer.
Tent to sleep in at night. Sleeping is very important.
...snip

I went with the same. Spot replaces CB, tent for sleeping, and extra fuel for extra insurance.

 

[Desolation]

We have never owned anything “stock” for more then a few hours. IMO the list for a stock rig is completely inadequate, basics before showers, LOL!
I chose based on taking the truck that will be my wife’s daily driver. It is as close to stock as I would consider driving on pavement.
The truck, has custom suspension, ARB Lockers, 33-10.50-BFG AT, Tube bumpers, Winches front & rear, carries an ax, shovel, tools, scanner(vehicle), Hi-Lift, recovery gear, water, non perishable food, a trauma kit flairs, and a bunch of other stuff, it is not complete yet.
I chose the CB but the truck will have it anyway, the firearm because there is just too much drug activity to run “naked” and yes I have been forced to fire, and Fuel because I would have to toss the can in the rack.
I think I would chose those 3 for a stock truck too.

 

[kletzenklueffer]

I chose firearm, chair's/table and gas can.

Of the items listed, these would be my preference.

The firearm, mainly because there are a host of small edible critters around, and should I run out of food, I've got a step up over the caveman, not to mention a means of protection.

I considered an awning for shelter, but assuming I've got a vehicle, it can provide that, so I picked chairs because I've been camping for a long time without them and as I get older, my back doesn't tolerate sitting on the ground.

And lastly, gas can, because 5 gallons would give me around 80 miles range in the worst of fuel mileage, and should get me to either more fuel, or to some place I can forget my worries.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I chose firearm, chair's/table and gas can.

Of the items listed, these would be my preference.

The firearm, mainly because there are a host of small edible critters around, and should I run out of food, I've got a step up over the caveman, not to mention a means of protection.

I considered an awning for shelter, but assuming I've got a vehicle, it can provide that, so I picked chairs because I've been camping for a long time without them and as I get older, my back doesn't tolerate sitting on the ground.

And lastly, gas can, because 5 gallons would give me around 80 miles range in the worst of fuel mileage, and should get me to either more fuel, or to some place I can forget my worries.

I think you're the first to mention using the fire-arm to add to the food supply. nice!

 

[ExpoMike]

c'mere mike, so I can ********** the type A personality out of you...you'll feel better.

What??? :elkgrin: :ylsmoke: :snorkel:

 

[BIGdaddy]

What??? :elkgrin: :ylsmoke: :snorkel:

lol. j/k dude! :victory:

 

[92 red cummins]

I read stock 4x4 and thought not very capable then thought it could be a power wagon!:wings:

 

[BIGdaddy]

great replies so far, I love the differing opinions. Don't think I'm baggin' on you planners too much, I'm a closet planner, too!

all in good fun. I'd love to hear any more "scenario's" or real life situations where the pieces above came into play. I know that most of us already have ALL these things, pretty much, but for someone just starting out, it actually might be educational.