Great Gifts for The Off-Road Dad

1. Editor's Choice: Tire Pressure Gauge

Showing dad you care doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Every vehicle should have a decent tire pressure gauge especially since airing up and airing down is a regular part of the off-road experience. Since the air pressure gauge on air compressors or at the gas station can sometimes be drastically off the mark, having one in your rig allows you to inflate your tires to the proper pressure with confidence. There are a number of different styles that you can choose from without breaking the bank while showing Dad how much you care.

2. Portable Tool Kit: Craftsman 230-Piece Mechanics Tool Set

Forget the funky ties, tools are something just about every father can appreciate. Performing basic maintenance on an off-road rig means needing a garage full of tools to get the job done. Craftsman makes some great products that are affordable and offer a wide variety of different kits to choose from. One of our favorites is this 230-piece mechanics tool set that is perfect for the garage or to pack with you on your next adventure into the great unknown.

3. Cleaning Tools: Karcher Electric Pressure Washer

Off-road vehicles are supposed to get dirty, but once you get off the trail and it’s time to clean off the mess, having the right tools makes the process much easier. A pressure washer will certainly help clean a dirt bike, ATV, Jeep or truck that’s plastered with mud and dirt. While there are endless options to choose from, the Karcher K1700 electric pressure washer is a great option that offers plenty of power to blast off the thickest mud and is affordably priced. A gift that dad will really appreciate after a dirty off road trip.

4. Tire Repair Kit: AUTOWN Tire Repair Kit

Every time dad goes off-roading he could potentially return with a flat or punctured tire. Fixing a tire on the trail is sometimes necessary to get home, especially on father’s day for mom’s special dinner, so get him a repair kit that will help him fix up the tire to get home. This tire repair kit from AUTOWN comes with everything he needs to get the flat fixed and back on the road all in one handy carrying case. Even better is that it’s under $30!

5. Garage Essentials: Jack and Creeper Set

Although your dad’s off-road rig is probably lifted and a little easier to crawl under than a stock vehicle, changing brakes, tires and other more serious work still requires the use of a proper floor jack. This Pro-Lift Mechanics Set includes:

• 3-Ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack
• 3-Ton Jack Stand Set
• 40″ 6-Caster Creeper

It’s everything you need to safely work on the under side of dads off road rig, making it one of the best off road gifts for him.

6. Repair Must Have: Repair Manuals

Although your dad may have a garage full of tools and all the recovery equipment imaginable, it’s very possible he doesn’t have a proper service and repair manual. The Haynes line of Repair Manuals are offered for just about any vehicle on the road, and are affordably priced so you won’t break the bank to get dad something he could really use now or later.

7. Interior Protection: Huskyliner Floor Liners

Just because dad likes to get his truck or Jeep dirty doesn’t mean he wants to trash the interior. Floor mats will help keep the mud and dirt off the floor, so whether he needs something more heavy-duty or needs replacements for his worn-out mats, something like Husky floor mat, which are constructed of heavy-duty rubber, will help keep the inside clean. Husky offers a number of different mats for trucks and Jeeps.

8. Off Trail Excursion Accessory: Camelbak Hydration Pack

Summer’s practically here and staying hydrated on the trail is crucial, so if there’s a dirt bike or an ATV in your garage that dad likes to ride, pick him up a Camelbak. The crafty bags are designed to be lightweight backpacks that carry plenty of water for the day’s ride. There are many different bags offered, with a range of storage space to accommodate small tool kits, wallets and keys or more.

9. Trail Tunes: JVC Stereo

Why in the world does dad need a new stereo, you ask? His CD player works just fine in the truck, you say. CD players are not ideal for off-roading, as listening to CDs on the trail leads to skipping and potential damage to the CD and stereo.  The solution is simple – find an inexpensive new head unit with an auxiliary input so dad can plug in his smart phone or iPod and listen to the music on there. If dad is tech savvy, you might even find one that has Bluetooth so there’s no need for dangling wires.

10. Total Hand Protection: Mechanix Gloves

If anything goes wrong on the trail and tools are required, a great set of gloves will help keep dad’s hands clean. Mechanix Wear is one such company that specializes in automotive gloves for working in the garage or on the trail. The company’s traditional design, called the “Original Glove,” is available in a number of colors and sizes and are affordably priced. Their Spandex top construction makes the glove flexible, while reinforcements on the thumb panel and fingertips helps protect dad’s hands. If he doesn’t have a set of gloves already, this is a thoughtful gift he’ll appreciate the next time he’s in the garage or repairing something on the trail.

I found a mechanics set (floor jack, stands and creeper) for much less but says it’s only a 1-ton. Does that matter?

Yes! What you’ve found will be good for use with a light passenger car, but depending on what kind of off-road Jeep/Truck your husband has, that 1-ton kit may not be strong enough to support the vehicle. When in doubt error on the side of caution and go with the one that has a higher weight capacity.

Love the idea of tools. Is there anything specific to get?

While there are plenty of specialty tools, having a basic set of hand tools can go a long way. Even having a second kit is a great idea so you’re minimizing the chance of anything getting lost between the garage and the vehicle. We especially like the kits that have both standard and metric because nowadays many vehicles will have both styles of fasteners on them.

Additional Resources

• Best Tire Deflators
• Best Off Road Lights
• Best Tow and Recovery Straps

Become an Off-Road insider. Get the latest news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.