TRAIL KIT

Preparing Your Trail Kit

By 4x4 Philippines • Feb 24th, 2008 • Category: Gadgets • Print this article

Every 4×4 owner is aware they should have some kind of kit in their vehicle when on the move, whether you’re doing daily errands or tackling the trails. Needless to say the contents of your kit should be adjusted depending on where you are going, how long you’ll be in the trails, or how far you will be from the nearest repair shop or road.As the urgency for getting back home rises the farther we are we will be concentrating on off-road trails kits.

What constitutes an adequate trail kit? Where else can we get the best answer to this question than in the 4×4 Philippines forum.

I, myself, bring 2 shovels to the trails. One is a collapsible shovel, the other is a standard shovel used for construction.

One of the well-known Toyota Land Cruiser 80 gurus of the site, Drexx, posted this small but excellent list of what to include in your trail kit:

The very basics, one you should bring always in the vehicle are:
1. Basic hand tools (pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, electric tape, voltmeter, hammer)
2. Spare fuses
3. Fire extinguisher
4. First aid kit (size depends on number of people in the vehicle)
5. Fully functional spare tyre and lift jack
6. Drinking water
7. Sunglasses
8. Phone charger
9. Handheld radios
10. Wet tissues
11. Extra shirt

If you anticipate a long and/or hard run, take also with you
12. Extra fuel
13. Engine and gear oils (if anticipating a lot of river crossings)
14. Spark plugs (if gas engine and anticipating a lot of river crossings)
15. Oil filters (if anticipating a lot of river crossings)
16. Enough food to last the whole trip
17. Sleeping equipment (including tent)
18. Toiletries
19. Kitchenware (for cooking, include also tables and chairs)
20. Clothing (depending on weather and terrain)
21. Candles and lighter
22. Vehicle recovery tools (snatch strap, shackles, and winch)
23. Another vehicle in convoy with you
24. Weather reports
25. Area maps

If it’s a really technical trail, don’t forget:
26. Plasma cutter
27. Portable MIG welder
28. Electric generator

Our own DIY Garage mechanic, Paul Azcona, includes these in his “little bag of tools & goodies” which he brings no matter what vehicle he drives. According to Paul this complements the existing tool bag of the vehicle:

1. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17 up to 32 mm combination wrenches
2. ½ drive 6-sided socket set
3. Ignition spark tester
4. Feeler gauges
5. Small digital multitester
6. Hammer
7. Extending handle tire iron
8. Tire pressure gauge
9. Tape measure
10. A few meters of automotive wire #12
11. Fuses (10a, 20a, 30a – 5 pieces each)
12. Electrical tape
13. Mechanical pliers
14. Wire cutter and stripper
15. Vise-grip for the stubborn bolts and nuts
16. Adjustable wrench 12inches
17. Metal saw blade
18. Box cutter
19. Duct tape
20. 3 philips head and 3 flat head screw drivers
21. WD-40 (careful on rubber hoses and engine supports)
22. Fix-A-Flat spray
23. An extra set of dry, clean clothes (shirts, shorts, socks, underwear)

On long trips:
1. Grease (a small bit, usually in a film canister or a small grease gun)
2. Engine oil (1 liter unless I anticipate a lot of water crossings)
3. Transmission oil (1 liter unless I anticipate a lot of water crossings)
3a. If an automatic transmission, I bring gear oil for the diffs, too. If using a manual transmission, the manual tranny oil and the diffs usually use the same oil.
4. Power steering oil (1 liter unless I anticipate a lot of water crossings)
5. Jumper cables (preferably home made) [DIY Garage article prospect! -ed.]
6. Tow cable
7. Air pump or small compressor

These lists might be a little over-the-top, depending on your capacity to repair your own vehicle but this should give you an idea on what to prepare for your own kit. Over-the-top or not it’s better to have these with you even if you won’t need them than not having a kit when you need it the most. Even if you can’t repair your own vehicle someone else, a friend or a complete stranger, might be able to help you out — provided the necessary tools & equipment are available. By being prepared you won’t have to depend on other people having these kits.

Azcona also recommends bringing spare fan belts. If you have replaced your fan belts due to regular maintenance you can use these as spares. In the event any of your fan belts disintegrating (fan/water pump, alternator, power steering) these old, intact belts will help you get to the nearest repair shop or automotive supply store.

Speaking of fan belts Azcona warns us that some vehicles use hard-to-find belts. Something to remember when you go on your next trip to the auto supply store.

For a more detailed write-up on off-road recovery & gear head on to Kits Aragon’s article called 4×4 Off Road Recovery.