Our Recommended Off-roading Gear

If you’re a serious off-roader, there will come a time when you’ll need to bail your vehicle out. There’s a long list of sticky situations you may one day find your vehicle in, from getting stuck in the mud to finding yourself high-centered on a rock.

That means before you drive off into the unknown, you should invest in some specialized off-roading gear. Think of it as an investment into your rig’s future. You may not think you need it now, but one day you’ll be glad you had it.

Whether you’re a first-timer or an off-road veteran, here is the essential gear for off-roading you need to stay safe and out of trouble.

First Things First: Safety and First Aid

It’s important to have the essential gear, but it’s even more important to know what you’re doing in the backcountry. Your local off-roading club can help you learn the limitations of your vehicle, help you upgrade, and even bring you along on more difficult or technical trails.

Always let someone know where you’re going and go off-road with a buddy when possible. If you’re on an ATV, wear a helmet and proper safety gear.

The most important emergency gear you can bring off-roading is a good first aid kit. Your vehicle is replaceable, you are not.

Most outdoor retailers sell specialized first aid kits for the backcountry. Any kit with splints, tourniquets, bandages, fever reducers, and water treatment pills (or a filter) should work. Taking a backcountry first aid or wilderness survival course isn’t a bad idea either.

Winch

If there’s any possibility your vehicle will encounter mud, rocks, or stumps, you must have this gear. A winch is one of the most important pieces of recovery gear for off-roaders. Even a light pull from a winch can save your vehicle from a sticky situation.

You’ll want to choose a winch with at least twice the capacity of your vehicle. Both synthetic and steel rope winches are common.

Steel winches are good for occasional off-roading, but are heavy and can whip around when they snap, causing injuries. If you find yourself on the backroads often, invest in the greater safety and lighter weight of a synthetic winch.

Recovery Board

A recovery board is a heavy-duty nylon board with aluminum or plastic grip teeth. If your vehicle is stuck in mud or sand, you can dig out a hole and place the recovery board under the tire. The vehicle will roll onto the board and out of the hole.

Recovery boards come in various strengths and sizes. Smaller ones will suffice for Jeeps or crossovers while heavy-duty pickups and SUVs will need a full-size board. They can get expensive, but it’s worth investing in one that won’t crack or wear down after a few uses.

Collapsible Shovel

You’ll need a shovel or trowel to dig the holes to place your recovery board. While any regular shovel from Home Depot will do, serious off-roaders can invest in steel folding shovels that punch through dirt and mud.

These shovels have adjustable lengths so you can adjust them to get the leverage you need. The head can be adjusted to a 90-degree angle so the shovel can be used as a rake. And, the materials are virtually indestructible and will not rust.

Recovery Rope

A recovery rope is a special type of ultra-tough, stretchable rope – sort of like an extremely powerful rubber band. If you’re in need of a tow, using a recovery rope can help to extricate your vehicle by stretching and then snapping like a slingshot.

Recovery ropes come in several strengths and lengths. The rule of thumb is to go with a rope weighted for four times your vehicle’s weight.

Automatic Tire Deflator

Airing down your tires is essential for off-roaders. When you decrease your tire pressure by 25 to 30%, your tires cover more surface area on the ground. This gives them more traction.

Deflated tires perform better on mud, sand, and snow. They can better navigate obstacles like stumps and rocks.

However, airing down takes time and many off-roaders don’t bother to do it. An automatic tire deflator can save you time and let you get into the backwoods faster.

Before you leave, set the deflator to your desired PSI. When it’s time to hit the trails, screw the deflator onto each valve stem to automatically deflate to the pressure you have set.

Portable Air Compressor

Of course, you’ll need to air your tires back up before driving home on normal pavement. Air compressors are cheap, but take a long time to fill up tires – think 45 minutes to an hour for a large vehicle.

Investing in a portable air compressor can cut that time to just two minutes per tire. This allows you to get back on the road quickly and with no danger to your car due to under-inflated tires.

Tire Repair Kit

Even the strongest tires in the world can be punctured by sharp rocks or other foreign objects. So, a tire repair kit is another essential if you don’t want to be stuck with an expensive tow bill.

If you’ve ever fixed a tire on a mountain bike or dirt bike, you’ll know how to use a basic off-road repair kit. Kits typically come with plugs, a reamer, and a sealant such as liquid cement. Use the reamer to widen the hole and make it even, insert a plug and seal it with sealant, and trim off the excess.

You’ll still have to make it to a tire repair shop in the near future, but you should be able to hit the rest of the trail without any problems. Tire repair kits usually cost only $10-20, so there’s no excuse for not having one on the backroads.

GPS Service Membership

The days of clunky GPS units are just about over, and most phones can hold hundreds of detailed maps for determining your location. If you’re going to be heading off-road, it’s essential to know where you are and how to get back to where you started.

Premium GPS app memberships offer downloadable maps that can tell your exact location even without cell service. They work in coordination with government surveyor offices to provide detailed official maps of even the most remote areas.

There are several services to choose from, such as Gaia, OnX, and Avenza. Research the features of each and decide which is best for you and your vehicle’s needs. Don’t forget to head out with a fully charged phone!

Mechanic Tool Set

While most people on the road are happy to offload basic repair skills to their local mechanic, off-roaders should know how to repair their vehicles in a pinch. A basic set with sockets, wrenches and some basic accessories such as hoses and brake lines should suffice.

You can always take your vehicle to a dedicated mechanic for specialized repair, but basic tool knowledge can help get you to the end of the trail and back. Your local off-roading club may offer classes, or you can consult online tutorials before you hit the road.

Bottle Jack

There are some obstacles you just can’t dig your way out of and for those, you’ll need a jack. Jacks can save your vehicle if you find yourself high-centered on a rock, or if you need to repair a hole in your tire.

You can get massive, impressive-looking jacks that look great strapped to your rig, but simple bottle jacks should suffice for most work. Most raise your vehicle between 9 and 18 inches and have a capacity of 10-20 tons.

Also, remember to bring a base for your jack on the road. Any flat piece of wood should work.

Gloves and Headlamp

With all this impressive and essential gear, it’s easy to forget the little things that make your life easier. A pair of mechanic’s gloves can save your hands from wear and tear, grease stains, and sharp objects. And a decent headlamp can help you to see what’s going on under your vehicle and in dark woods.

These accessories fit in any vehicle and can be found for cheap. They’ll make repairing your rig and getting back on the road that much easier.

Off-roading Gear and More in Manitoba

So, what gear do you need for off-roading? Not every rig needs all the gear listed above, but investing in even a few of these items can save your vehicle from expensive tows and mechanical problems.

The Canadian wilderness is one of the best places for off-roading in the world. We are a marine and leisure store that specializes in boats, ATVs, and off-roading accessories.

We’re located in Arborg, right at the gates of Lake Winnipeg. Contact us today to find out how we can help you with parts, rentals, or a new vehicle for your wilderness adventure.