There is nothing like packing a bag, some snacks and scouting adventure on a road trip. There is natural scenery to appreciate, hidden beaches and lakes to soak in and endless undiscovered experiences awaiting off the beaten track. Going off-road can be a lot of fun but you need to take care. Make sure your vehicle has had a recent mechanical inspection before you set off and that you have adequate petrol and a comprehensive map or GPS with the latest maps update. But as any off-road enthusiast knows, there are a few additional essentials that you will need to have on board. Here are our top five must-haves for your next journey into the wilderness.
1. Adequate Lighting
Seeing the stars in unadulterated areas is beautiful, but it also means you’ll be traveling or living in low visibility at some point. To avoid any unwanted collisions with local wildlife or unexpected rock outcrops, you need to invest in the right lighting to illuminate potential oncoming hazards. Reliable LED Driving Lights are the best option for extreme environments as they are high-quality, incredibly strong and offer extensive depth and width visibility.
2. Recovery Gear
Once you have the right lighting, your recovery equipment is the next absolute necessity for any road trip that may take you off-road. Nobody plans to end up getting their car stuck, but the reality of driving through natural, undulating landscapes and wild, rough terrains is a higher likelihood of encountering ditches, streams, mud puddles and uneven tracks. Be prepared and keep your recovery gear on hand; a sturdy hi-lift jack for raising your car, some long straps or rope, perhaps a tree trunk protector and some gloves for safety and reduced friction. You can even buy ready-made kits that contain all the essentials readily packed.
3. A Shovel
It is better to have something and not need it than it is to need it and not have it available! When traveling off-road, always keep a good shovel in the back of your car. You never know when you may need to dig your wheels, or yourself out of a sticky situation. A good shovel is a versatile asset for any road trip; it will help in clearing campsite, digging out a fire pit or a pit toilet.
4. Updated Medical Kit
Do not assume the ancient first kit that came with your car is all you’re going to need. Especially before a long road trip or going camping, you need to look over your medical kit to ensure everything is still functional and usable. If you’re low on items like band-aids or disinfectant, replace them and depending on your destination, you might want to also stock up on certain ointments or repellents based on the wildlife, insects or reptiles present. Do your research and update your medical kit accordingly.
5. Fuel Tanks
Never make the mistake of traveling without extra fuel. This point may seem like a no brainer, but people frequently spend so much time preparing for all kinds of possible scenarios that they forget the obvious. You cannot plan off-road traveling to a tee. You could end up in marvelous unchartered areas and spend longer exploring, or you might have wild, rough terrain soak up your fuel faster than anticipated. No matter what route you take, you will always be the safest and experience the most freedom and flexibility when traveling with backup fuel. Once all these essentials are covered you can take care of the best steps; picking your travel route, inviting your mate and setting off for adventure!
