What Tools Do You Need For Overlanding?
When overlanding, it's crucial to be prepared for any situation that may arise.
Being ready for the worst-case scenario can mean the difference between making it home and being stuck on the trail until help arrives, and that extends from your own vehicle to the other vehicles in your convoy. Any serious off-roader will tell you that carrying an assortment of tools is vital to off-tarmac travel, but what do you need and what can you leave at home?
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For those just starting In the world of off-roading, some pieces of equipment are considered non-negotiables while others are optional and dependent upon the type of four-wheeling being done. However, a selection of tools and repair items should be considered vital to traveling off-road and should be carried in the vehicle at all times. What follows is a list of what we consider to be so, but your travel may change the required additions or subtractions from this list.
Critical Tools For Overlanding:
- Tire Repair Kit: Includes items like a tire plug kit, tire pressure gauge, and valve stems. This will help you address any punctures or leaks quickly.
- Portable Air Compressor: Handy for inflating tires after off-roading or repairing a puncture.
- Screwdrivers: Phillips and flathead
- Pliers: Including combination pliers, needle-nose pliers, and locking pliers for gripping and manipulating various components.
- Adjustable wrenches in 2-3 sizes
- Wrench Set: Including both standard and metric sizes, covering various bolt and nut sizes on your vehicle. Extensions help.
- Multi-Tool: A versatile tool like a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife can come in handy for various tasks. - Invaluable
- Hammer: A small hammer or rubber mallet can help with tasks like persuading stubborn parts.
- Utility Knife: For cutting ropes, straps, or other materials as needed.
- Allen Wrench Set: For hexagonal socket screws commonly found on vehicles and accessories.
- Torx wrenches
- Safety glasses
Tools For Overlanding
Other Items Mandatory For Overlanding:
- First Aid Kit: Accidents can happen anywhere, so it's important to have a well-stocked first aid kit to address any injuries.
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Zip ties
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Rope
- Bungee cords
- Tow straps and other recovery gear like tree saver, etc.
- Navigation Tools: A GPS device or a reliable map and compass can help you navigate through unfamiliar terrain, especially if you lose signal.
- Fire Extinguisher: Off-roading can sometimes lead to fires, whether from your vehicle or the environment. Having a fire extinguisher can help prevent small fires from escalating.
- Shovel: Useful for digging out your vehicle if it gets stuck in mud, sand, or snow.
- Flashlight and Batteries: Essential for navigating in the dark or working on your vehicle at night should it comes to that.
- Communication Device: Whether it's a two-way radio, satellite phone, or a cell phone with good coverage, having a reliable means of communication is important for safety.
- Emergency Supplies: Items like blankets, extra clothing, food, and water can be lifesavers if you're stranded for an extended period.
- D-ring shackle for recoveries
Gear For Overlanding
Then there are always the extras, things that are not mandatory but that can help quite a lot in a pinch or when a certain, specific task is at hand. These are items like:
- Channel lock pliers
- Pipe wrench
- Extra Fluids: Carry extra oil, coolant, and other fluids your vehicle may need for top-ups or emergency situations. - Depends on your vehicle, duration of travel, etc.
- Wire Cutters: Useful for cutting wire or zip ties.
- Cordless Drill: Useful for various tasks like drilling holes, driving screws, or removing panels.
- Cordless Impact Wrench: Makes quick work of removing stubborn lug nuts or bolts.
- Vice grips
- Pry bar
- Funnel
- Snap ring pliers
- Voltmeter
Of course, you can always go above and beyond with what tools you carry on the trail. Much of this is unnecessary, but don’t let us deter you if your vehicle has the space and payload for it.
- Angle Grinder: Useful for cutting or grinding metal if more serious repairs are needed.
- Saws: Depending on your needs, a small reciprocating saw or a handheld circular saw can be useful for cutting branches or performing more substantial repairs.
- Spotlight or Work Light: Illuminate your work area when working on your vehicle in low-light conditions.
- Portable Welder: If you're comfortable with welding and your vehicle experiences significant damage, a portable welder can be invaluable for on-the-go repairs.
- Chainsaw
With off-roading comes the high likelihood that a vehicle will experience breakage of some sort. A few final words about packing tools to have with you when off-roading: Always remember to customize your tool kit based on the specific needs of your vehicle and the terrain you'll be exploring. While you and your buddy might have similarly-capable vehicles, fixing yours and theirs may require different, nuanced pieces of kit that are the make-it-or-break-it (pun unintended) between a vehicle being totally out of commission and back under its own power in no time. If you don't have the time or knowledge to do this, buying a generic, comprehensive mechanic's tool set is a good place to start and build upon.
Mechanic's Tools
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Ross hosts The Hooniverse Podcast. He has been in the off-road world since he was a kid riding in the back of his dad’s YJ Wrangler. He works in marketing by day and in his free time contributes to Hooniverse, AutoGuide, and ATV.com, and in the past has contributed to UTV Driver, ATV Rider, and Everyday Driver. Ross drives a 2018 Lexus GX460 that is an ongoing build project featured on multiple websites and the podcast.
More by Ross Ballot
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