Post by Archangel on Dec 19, 2006 0:05:37 GMT -5
Going into the desert in a truck is a little different than going in on foot. You can bring many more supplies, and cover ten times the ground than you would on foot. But, that also means that you can be ten times farther out when something goes wrong or stops your progress. You need to be prepared when heading out into the wild where its possible that no one would find you for days at a time.
And, lucky for us wheelers, we can take so much stuff with us that we could be out for a month before having to turn around if we pack it all right. I thought I'd let you in on some of the basic nexessities that I bring out in places where the concrete doesn't grow. There are alot more items you should pack for yourself to suit your own needs, but every truck should be fitted with at least these supplies.
1. Surviving for days at a time means being prepared to eat more than what your intended trip packing provides for. You should have a backup supply of water, gum, nuts, candy (quick sugar rush for energy, and not chocolate as it melts in AZ), and health-food bars in your rig. Some dried fruit is good too if you get the type that won't spoil after sitting for months. You should NEVER break into this pack of goodies until it's absolutley necessary. This is to be utilized only after all of the food you packed in your cooler is gone and you're stuck somewhere and hungry. It's amazing how long you can stay alive on some high protien nuts, health-food bars and some candy. Also, having refillable water bottles and microfilters can be great if your near some water. Chemical water purifiying tablets are also available.
2. Clothing.... You can alwas shed layers if it gets warm, but if it gets cold, your better have a way to add covering to yourself. Having an extra jacket or sweatshirt in the rig should be automatic, but you should also have a blanket or sleeping bag or both in your truck, in case your spending some cold nights in the truck. And it might not hurt to have a tarp or a small tent you can use for shelter as well. If something happens to the truck to prevent you from using it for shelter, than a tent could save your life.
3. A means of communicating with others can often dictate if your getting help out of the situation your in, or helping yourself out. Every truck in the outdoors should have a CB, and a cell phone should be stuffed into the glovebox as well, including the charger. Now there are alot of other alternatives, but for this article, this suffices. Also, speaking of electronics, it does not hurt to have an AC/DC power inverter with you either.
4. The army tought me this one...One of the most important tools in your truck is a good fixed blade knife. It should be one of the first things you put into your truck. Don't get some whimpy one; this is your chance to carry something Rambo would carry. A knife can be your most important and utilized tool when in the sticks, and you don't want some cheezy as-seen-on-TV special that will snap the first time you put a little side load on it. I say fixed blade becuase they are just more heavy duty and safer than a folding knife. You should probably have a folding knife on you, but you need the larger fixed blade for the more serious tasks. Having a straight and serrated blade gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to cutting something.
5. Ahhh, tools... The great debate begins... You should have a variety of tools at your disposal. Extra parts are smart too, especially those that are prone to failing. If you don't like carrying an entire tool set, then carry sockets and basic open end wrenches for the bolts that are on your suspension and drivetrain, plus some
pliers, screwdrivers, and adjustable wrenches for anything else you forget about. If you're not carrying entire driveshafts and complete inner and outer axles for the front, than at least carry u-joints, lube, u-bolts or straps, extra belts for the engine, extra hoses in case something blows, and don't forget about the very important fuses...it sucks to be stranded by a fuse....Wire would be a good idea too, but you can always pirate off your own taillight wiring if you need some wire badly enough.
And, lucky for us wheelers, we can take so much stuff with us that we could be out for a month before having to turn around if we pack it all right. I thought I'd let you in on some of the basic nexessities that I bring out in places where the concrete doesn't grow. There are alot more items you should pack for yourself to suit your own needs, but every truck should be fitted with at least these supplies.
1. Surviving for days at a time means being prepared to eat more than what your intended trip packing provides for. You should have a backup supply of water, gum, nuts, candy (quick sugar rush for energy, and not chocolate as it melts in AZ), and health-food bars in your rig. Some dried fruit is good too if you get the type that won't spoil after sitting for months. You should NEVER break into this pack of goodies until it's absolutley necessary. This is to be utilized only after all of the food you packed in your cooler is gone and you're stuck somewhere and hungry. It's amazing how long you can stay alive on some high protien nuts, health-food bars and some candy. Also, having refillable water bottles and microfilters can be great if your near some water. Chemical water purifiying tablets are also available.
2. Clothing.... You can alwas shed layers if it gets warm, but if it gets cold, your better have a way to add covering to yourself. Having an extra jacket or sweatshirt in the rig should be automatic, but you should also have a blanket or sleeping bag or both in your truck, in case your spending some cold nights in the truck. And it might not hurt to have a tarp or a small tent you can use for shelter as well. If something happens to the truck to prevent you from using it for shelter, than a tent could save your life.
3. A means of communicating with others can often dictate if your getting help out of the situation your in, or helping yourself out. Every truck in the outdoors should have a CB, and a cell phone should be stuffed into the glovebox as well, including the charger. Now there are alot of other alternatives, but for this article, this suffices. Also, speaking of electronics, it does not hurt to have an AC/DC power inverter with you either.
4. The army tought me this one...One of the most important tools in your truck is a good fixed blade knife. It should be one of the first things you put into your truck. Don't get some whimpy one; this is your chance to carry something Rambo would carry. A knife can be your most important and utilized tool when in the sticks, and you don't want some cheezy as-seen-on-TV special that will snap the first time you put a little side load on it. I say fixed blade becuase they are just more heavy duty and safer than a folding knife. You should probably have a folding knife on you, but you need the larger fixed blade for the more serious tasks. Having a straight and serrated blade gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to cutting something.
5. Ahhh, tools... The great debate begins... You should have a variety of tools at your disposal. Extra parts are smart too, especially those that are prone to failing. If you don't like carrying an entire tool set, then carry sockets and basic open end wrenches for the bolts that are on your suspension and drivetrain, plus some
pliers, screwdrivers, and adjustable wrenches for anything else you forget about. If you're not carrying entire driveshafts and complete inner and outer axles for the front, than at least carry u-joints, lube, u-bolts or straps, extra belts for the engine, extra hoses in case something blows, and don't forget about the very important fuses...it sucks to be stranded by a fuse....Wire would be a good idea too, but you can always pirate off your own taillight wiring if you need some wire badly enough.