What's the best off-road device to keep in my 4runner

[Mr. Leary]

Id still bring one, you can always walk out or find higher ground to get reception.

... and cell phones are trackable from the air... most have the locate function nowadays.

 

[Carl_G]

... and cell phones are trackable from the air... most have the locate function nowadays.

Thanks very much everyone. Excellent advice from all.

 

[Awz]

I'd just like to chime in quick. I never off-road without a basic tool set. A ratchet and some sockets with a couple combination wrenches. My first off-road experience the bleeder screw on my clutch slave somehow backed itself off enough that I drained all my fluid. I was the only one there that thought to bring tools. (of course I learned from that experience that I should have brought some DOT3 too. )

Mike

 

[Will_4R]

Check out North Shore Off-Road in North Van, near the Second Narrow's bridge. They have very reasonable prices on recovery straps and shackles.

Carry a shovel (or two, one for snow, one for mud/sand), recovery strap and shackles as bare minimum. The High lift is pointless if #1 you don't know how to use it safely, #2 don't have anywhere on each side of the truck to use it.

Other things to carry that I consider a bare minmum in our neck of the woods are axe and/or saw, a thick piece of plywood to use a base for the jack on soft surfaces, and traction irons (not as popular as they used to be, at least out west here, but I use them more than any other piece of recovery gear). Oh, and jumper cables are a good idea.

I carry a few other things full time as well, like a gal of water, first aid kit, tire repair kit and compressor, Leatherman tool, snow chains and a few others things I can't think of offhand.

 

[Mr. Leary]

The High lift is pointless if #1 you don't know how to use it safely, #2 don't have anywhere on each side of the truck to use it.

There are several Hi Lift useage videos on youtube.com

There are literally hundreds of documented uses for a Hi Lift jack, but also many horror stories... most which stem from improper use or failure to properly maintain the equipment.

This statement is true, when taken literally.

It does not require a significant time investment to learn how to use a hi lift jack, and it can do lots of stuff besides jack up your truck. Anyone who is serious about off roading knows how to use a hi lift jack.

 

[Carl_G]

Thanks Will. I am goingto North Van tomorrow so I will check it out. I like offroading but not serious enough about it to carry a huge Jack around. Thx. Maybe we will see you around!

 

[offshorebear]

A strap and 2 shackels fits nicely in the jack compartment. There is no reason not to carry that all the time.

In my neck of the woods a shovel can get you out of anything, if you have the time and energy. I also carry a come along, but come alongs are really too small to move trucks unless your just high centered on snow.

 

[Carl_G]

Thanks!

Thanks very much! Great idea. What type of strap? A Kinetic Strap that I heard about or just a basic tow strap. What length and width please? I'm gonna get that right away. Excellent idea about the jack compartment. I never would have thought of that.

A strap and 2 shackels fits nicely in the jack compartment. There is no reason not to carry that all the time.

In my neck of the woods a shovel can get you out of anything, if you have the time and energy. I also carry a come along, but come alongs are really too small to move trucks unless your just high centered on snow.

 

[offshorebear]

2"x20' recovery strap with sewn loops
Two 3/4" shackles

 

[Carl_G]

2"x20' recovery strap with sewn loops
Two 3/4" shackles

Thanks. I ordered them today. I got a trailer hitch with a shackle on it (the shackle can be used alone), another shackle, and a tow strap 2"x20'