Off roading or overlanding has become a trendy activity over the past couple of years. During the pandemic, it was one of the safest and best ways to explore and travel, so it is just normal that this hype stuck with a few people.
Just as the trend grows, there is a lack of knowledge from many on what a vehicle should really be outfitted or equipped with in order to have a truly safe off road experience. Besides having insurance on the vehicle to cover for any accidents, it’s important to make sure you know what to outfit your car with, to make sure you’re not in danger.
We’ll go over some of the basic gear and accessories to equip your vehicle with, so you’re safe at all times.
Table of Contents
1. Tires And Suspension: Get Your Car Rolling Safely
The right tires can fully make or break a journey, let alone one on difficult paths, gravel, muddy or uneven. You cannot go off roading or on more complex journeys with simple tires, you need to get the right ones for the right occasion. The two main types of tires that are commonly used for off-road or overlanding are AT and MT.
All-terrain (AT) tires are a solid option for any occasion, handling everything from gravel roads to muddy trails. If you’re planning to push through deeper mud, sand, or rocky terrain, mud-terrain (MT) tires offer better grip and durability.
Bigger tires can help with clearance, but they might require a suspension upgrade. Here’s where the famous suspension comes into play. You don’t always need one, if you have a larger SV, such as a 4Runner, the stock suspension tends to do the trick on its own, it holds well. However, many people like to add a lot of weight and gear, as well as larger MT tires, and as such a lift kit and suspension upgrade are a requirement.
A lift kit gives you more room to maneuver over rocks, roots, and ruts without scraping the bottom of your vehicle, or having the tire itself scratch against your bumper. It also improves ride comfort by absorbing some of the bumps and impacts of the trail. Whether you’re just getting into off-roading or you’re a seasoned pro, good tires and suspension are non-negotiable.
2. Recovery Gear: Yes, You Can Get Stuck
Even the most experienced overlanders can get stuck. Hey, it’s part of the adventure. The trick is being prepared so you can get unstuck quickly and safely, and for that you might want to add 3 things (one doesn’t exclude the other, and we suggest buying them in order):
- Traction Or Recovery Boards: These are lifesavers when your tires can’t find grip in sand, mud, or snow. Lay them under your tires, and they give you the traction you need to get unstuck.
- Hi-Lift Jack: A Hi-lift jack can be fitted on the trunk of any vehicle, and when you get stuck, it’s easy to use and operate. Just like when you’re going to change a tire, but a lot higher, you’ll use it to lift your vehicle, to either change your tire, or get the traction boards underneath it.
- Winch: If you’re serious about off-roading, a winch is your best friend. Mounted to your bumper (front or rear), it can pull your vehicle out of mud, snow, or tricky spots. Make sure to get one that’s rated for at least 1.5 times your vehicle’s weight.
3. Roof Racks: More Cargo Carrying Capacity
A roof rack should be perhaps the first thing you add to any vehicle with which you’ll be heading on holiday and driving somewhere. Why? Roof racks can help you on a daily basis, even just to transport luggage, backpacks, whatever you need on a daily basis.
At the same time, roof racks increase the cargo carrying capacity of your vehicle. For starters, no need to pack everything inside your car, or in the trunk. Suddenly, putting gear, kayaks, fishing rods, boards, whatever, over the roof rack is a possibility, which frees up space inside your car to sit more comfortably, or carry inside of it more things.
Yes, whether it’s going off roading or just on a family road trip, a roof rack can be your very best friend!
4. Lighting: Don’t Let Darkness Stop You
Whether if it’s for driving at night on darker roads or highways, if you go off roading in truly remote areas, or you like hunting during winter, lights are your best friend. A good visibility is your best friend when it comes to safety. Investing on a set of good headlights always means excellent visibility.
Experienced overlanders also like to get LED light bars, which can be mounted over a roof rack, over a bumper, or even on the grill of your car, to have an even longer and deeper visibility of the dark road ahead of you. This can also protect you from creatures roaming at night that might cross a road out of nowhere.
5. Off-Road GPS and Communication: Stay on Track and in Touch
When you’re miles from the nearest cell tower, your phone’s GPS won’t cut it. That’s where off-road GPS systems and communication devices come in handy.
- Off-Road GPS Systems: These devices are built for true adventures, with detailed maps, trail guides, and offline navigation. Brands like Garmin are a solid choice.
- Two-Way Radios: Whether you’re leading a convoy or just need to call for help, two-way radios keep you connected when your phone can’t. Yessir, we’re going old school here.
- Satellite Communicators: For those truly remote adventures, a satellite communicator lets you send messages or call for help no matter where you are. It’s a comforting safety net when you’re deep in the wilderness.
6. Protective Gear: Keep Your Vehicle Safe from Damage
It sounds silly, but it isn’t. Adding extra protective gear can always be a safe choice. It’s not 100% required, unless you’re in Australia and want to drive at night in the Outback (so then get a bull bar at all costs), but adding a few things here and there will make your car safer, and looking a lot tougher (if you care about that). Here’s the three things you can add:
- Skid Plates: Metal plates or shields that go underneath your vehicle protecting things such as the transmission, gas tank, or just the entire bottom part of your car.
- Rock Sliders: These are essentially side steps made out of metal, which can have also a plate over them, which you have in case you collide against walls, rocks, trees, you name it. Essentially, they protect the side of your vehicle.
- Bull Bars: This is just a solid metal bumper which will protect your car from any impact. It gully absorbs the collision, whether with a creature, car or wall, keeping your car a lot safer.
7. Spare Parts And Tools
Mechanical issues happen, especially when you’re pushing your vehicle to the limit. Having a few key spare parts and tools can turn a potential disaster into a quick fix. Here’s a few you want to have:
- Spare Tire and Repair Kit: A full-size spare is a must, and a tire repair kit can get you back on the trail quickly if you puncture a tire.
- Basic Tool Kit: A well-stocked tool kit with wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and a socket set can handle most minor repairs.
- Spare Belts, Hoses, and Fuses: These small, lightweight parts can be lifesavers if something fails unexpectedly.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Going off road is not just an adventure, it’s a serious activity. You can regularly read online or see in the news that a car got stuck or lost in a far away trail or road, or that an accident happened because a driver wasn’t careful where they should have been. To avoid all that, you want to begin by being a responsible driver, and having the right gear.
This list could be an infinite one, but it does cover the 7 things that are perhaps key to have a safe off road journey or long road trip. Start by outfitting your car with the right off road gear, then you’ll see how your adventure will be a much safer and enjoyable one!
