You’ve felt the urge to find adventure where the paved roads end, and you’ve gone out and bought a four-wheel drive vehicle, but now what do you need as a new off-road driver? Yeah, that $50,000 truck you just bought may say “off-Road” on the badge, but it’s not really ready to go off-road just yet. You need some basic equipment in your ride that can help you enjoy the off-road life much more, and help not only fuel that enjoyment, but also give you the peace of mind that by having it, it will help you get back home at the end of the day. We’ve all been there and we all had to start out somewhere. Let’s walk through some of the best gear for new off-roaders that you will need to have with you top help get you on the right path off the beaten path.
Cover Image courtesy Toyota.
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Tires – Toyo Open Country A/T III
If you’re new to off-roading, then you likely don’t have the right tires on your vehicle, and that is the first place to start. Traction off the paved road and in the dirt is very different than you’ve likely experienced before, and you’re going to need a proper all-terrain or mud-terrain tire to have any fun. Luckily there are so many tires to choose from that it can be a bit daunting. A good, aggressive all terrain tire makes sense as it will give you good traction off the road, yet still have good manners on the road.
While there are a lot of truly great options, I personally like the Toyo Open Country A/T III. These tires are aggressive enough for off road, yet behave well on pavement and get excellent wet/icy condition traction. These tires have excellent traction with a decent sidewall tread for an all-terrain tire. The wear seems to be outstanding, too.
Tow Strap – Smittybilt 4”
Let me save you some trouble right now – You’re going to get stuck eventually. It will happen, no matter what you do. And while you’re waiting for your turn to get stuck, you’re bound to encounter other off-roaders who are stuck. A tow strap is a vital piece of gear that should be on every off-road rig. It is a good idea to have a heavy-duty one, too, as you never know just what you’ll need. I always say go big.
I like the Smittybilt 4” x 20’ tow strap. It is rated to 40,000 lbs. So you shouldn’t be able to break it, and it will help you with your recovery efforts. It is looped on each end and there is no metal – that is important. As a new off-roader, you may not be aware, but when you put cables cords or straps under the tremendous pressure of your engine and your weight, any metal can turn into a deadly projectile. I like to limit as much of that as possible. This is a high-quality strap and you need it.
D-Ring Shackles – Smittybilt Delta D-Ring
As much as you’ll need a tow strap, you’ll need a way to attach it securely to things. That’s where the D-ring comes in. A good D-ring will come in handy for more stuff, too. I’ve used them for not only attaching a tow strap, but also for use as a tie-down anchor point and for added leverage.
Smittybilt’s Delta D-Ring is shaped to give you a little added stability and space, while still being fairly compact and strong. It has a 27,000lb. Working load limit, so it can handle anything. Smittybilt E-coats and powder coats the finish so it is durable and rust resistant. It is ¾-inch in diameter with a ⅞-inch pin. For a little added stability, it has a cam-over pin retainer. It’s not a bad idea to have 3-4 of these in your vehicle at all times.
Trail Jack – Smittybilt 54” Trail Jack
If you grew up on a farm, chances are you’ve seen a trail jack and have likely used one, as they go by another name – a farm jack. These are heavy-duty jacks that originally were used by farmers to jack up tractors and farm implements out in the field. Why do you want one as an off-roader? That’s easy. Let’s say you managed to get your rig stuck in a spot that has it at a weird angle, or something. There’s no one around to help you, so the tow strap isn’t going to be an option. Feel like walking out? Me either. A trail jack will let you lift your vehicle, regardless of how tall your tires are, and help you get that wheel that is either stuck, or flat, up and out of the mess, so you can get it either fixed, or get some stuff under it to help get you going again.
The Smittybilt Trail Jack gives you 54 inches of room to lift and it has a 4,600lb load rating, which is more than you should need. It also works like a come along, so if you need to use it as a hand winch, it’ll give you 7,000lbs of pulling/winching capability. These jacks also come in handy in the event of an accident, as they can be used like a power tool to pry open crushed doors. It’s cheap insurance and something every new off-roader needs to have in the vehicle.
Traction Ramps – Smittybilt All Element
You’ll likely notice that a chunk of the items on this list are for recovery. As a new off-roader, you’re going to have to push your boundaries some and this means getting stuck more times than you’re going to like. It’s as you would expect though, as you will need to push things to find your limits. Traction ramps come in really handy for those times when you find traction has escaped you. They are very handy for snow and mud, as you can get them under your tires and use them to not only gain traction to help pull you out. But also to spread the weight of your vehicle out to help.
Smittybilt’s All Element ramps can handle up to 7,700lbs. They are 48-inches long and are made from high-impact nylon-reinforced plastic. You can use them to slowly, but surely work your way out of a bad situation. There are multiple handles molded into the side to help you position the ramp, which is important as you’re likely going to have to reposition it several times to work your way out of a tight spot. Use in conjunction with a trail jack for best results.
Off-Road GPS – Magellan TRX-7 CS
Your trail rig might have navigation built into the stereo system, but once you bail on the road system, you’re mostly just driving through a green blob. Unless you have maps and can navigate, you can get lost pretty easily. That’s where a good off-road GPS system comes into play. Off-road GPS not only has the road systems and other normal navigational aids, but also maps of the major trail systems as well.
One of our favorite true off-road GPS systems comes from Magellan in their TRX-7 system. This beefy unit has a 7-inch touch screen display and is pre-loaded with over 160,000 4WD, ATV, motorcycle, and snowmobile trails. It also has 2D topographic and 3D basemap of the USA and Canada with free updates. Want to see where others have been? This unit has track recording and community publishing, crowdsourced track database, and one-touch social sharing, so you can share where you’ve been and see where others have gone, too. And you can add pictures from the onboard dual 8mp digital camera. As a new off-roader, this is a great way to discover new trails while having some comfort from knowing you can find your way back home again.
Air Compressor – Smittybilt 2.54 CFM
It’s no secret that airing down your tires can make an off-road experience better by increasing your available traction. It’s also no secret that you need to air those tires back up before headed home on the pavement. An air compressor makes that a much easier task. An air compressor is also something you’ll want to have in case you pop a hole in one of those tires, along with having a patch kit.
The Smittybilt 2.54 CFM has multiple ways to connect to a power source and comes with everything you’ll need to air up in the field. It has a 24-foot coiled air hose, built-in air gauge and produces 150psi of air. You can also mount it into a permanent location and hard-wire it into your vehicle’s electrical system. If it gets too hot, it has an auto shut-off to save the motor from damage.
Where do I get started with off-road gear?
When you decide that you want to get started in the off-road life, the obvious place to start is with a vehicle that can take you there. For most of us, this means something that is four-wheel drive. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a new off-road machine. Just make sure it is reliable. That is also the gear focus I suggest for any new off road enthusiast. Reliability is key and above all else, you want to have the right stuff with you to get back home again.
You’ll also notice that a big part of this list is made up of things designed to keep you on the trail. Getting stuck is something that will happen to all of us, and even the most experienced off-road driver will still bury his/her rig once and a while. Always have some equipment in the vehicle to help get you unstuck. It’s also good karma to use it to help others along the trail. You’ll quite possibly find a new buddy to go riding with, and that’s a cool thing. Look for functionality and practicality first, then look at performance upgrades as your experience grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you know before going off road?
First and foremost, the number one thing you need to know before going off road is to stay within your limits. If you don’t feel comfortable doing something – don’t do it! Always let someone know where you are going, and you should always go with others when possible. Have proper recovery gear and a way to communicate with someone in case of emergency.
How do you prepare your vehicle for off-road use?
The best way to prepare for off-road driving is to make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition. Make sure the important parts are protected, and that you have proper recovery gear. Airing down the tires is a must, as is having a way to communicate, so a cell phone or emergency communicator are important. Use four-wheel drive when needed, and, of course, use your head. Drive smart and stay safe. You’ll enjoy it much more.
What shouldn’t you do off-road?
The number one thing you should not do off road, especially for a beginner, is to go off alone. Even short trips can have big consequences, especially if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. Even experienced off-roaders seldom travel down the trail without a companion.
How can I save some money buying off-road gear?
Don’t forget to use our exclusive 10% discount code when you enter OFFROAD104WP at checkout!