Preparing for the Offroad Breakdown

Preparing for the Offroad Adventure Breakdown

Breakdowns happen. It’s going to be part of your offroad adventure! Whether you are in a four wheeler or riding a motorcycle offroad, it’s the part you didn’t bring that you will need the most. Prevention:

Your best solution is to complete all preventative maintenance before hitting the trail. You can’t expect to drive thru on a South America Adventure trip with belts and hoses that have 100k miles on them. Or drive the Pan American with a truck or SUV that has never had anything greased. These are items that should be done at home! It will save you a ton of time in the long run. Even if the item (let’s say a belt) looks ok, put the new one on, and save the old one for a spare. Also, learn the basics about the vehicle you’re driving. Why would you travel offroad and alone, but not know where the transmission dipstick is located?

I have prepared a list below of the items I carry and why. Please also to remember that it’s a bad idea to adventure offroad alone. Travel with a friend or an offroad club. There are many around the world. Traveling together is much safer and the main reason most of these clubs started to begin with. If you are off on a long adventure alone, make sure you have plenty of food and water, as there are many trails I have seen that go days, even weeks, before another vehicle comes by. This is strictly a tool and breakdown prevention list. You won’t find a sleeping bag here.

Tool Kit: Make sure you bring enough tools to complete easy repairs. I usually carry a basic kit, but if you have room for a rolling Snap On tool box, go for it! Makes sure to take ANY special tool your vehicle requires!

Shop Manual: Always helpful, especially if you only know the basics. These can be found cheap and usually cover enough info to assist in getting you back home.

Electrical Repair Kit: An electrical repair is usually a common problem on the trail. Make sure you at least have a test light, wire, an assortment of wire terminals and wire terminal pliers in your kit.

Jumper cables: Always handy and shouldn’t need too much of an explanation. I’ve actually had to cut up a cheap pair to make a battery cable for someone once.

Tire Repair Kit: A set of tire plugs can usually keep you from spending the time on a tire change.

Bailing Wire: The Cowboy Cure All. Bailing wires has come in handy fixing broken brackets and such. Was used to wire up a radiator after mount had failed. I have even seen a tire sidewall sewn up using bailing wire. A must!

Tire Gauge: Kind of self explanatory. Small but useful!

Cargo Boxes: Ammo boxes make good options. There are a lot of options here. Pelican cases come to mind. But it sure helps to have everything contained in one or two cases.

Hold downs: Helps to hold the cargo boxes down. Use the ratchet strap kind. By doing this you can use one for reseating any tire that may come off the rim.

Straps: Tow straps are needed. I usually carry two 20 footers. Make sure not to use the kind that has the hooks built in, because if it breaks- they go flying and can cause serious injury or death!

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Latex Gloves: Gloves are very handy in keeping you clean. Nothing worse than driving around with hands that smell like bearing grease all day in the heat. Easy clean up and can conserve your water.

Tarp: I carry an 8X10 tarp with me. Much better than lying under your four wheeler in the mud trying to wrench.

Coveralls: Sure beats riding around for another 4-6 hours all greasy. Makes you feel better being able to be clean in about 10 seconds!

Garbage Bags: Needed for trash, and cover parts. Also handy quick rain coat if needed.

Zip Lock bags: Great for holding your small parts when on the trail.

Leather Gloves: Leather gloves are usually needed for using the winch line and also great for working under the hood on hot engine parts.

Roll of Paper Shop towels: Paper towels help clean parts, as well as hands. They also make the job go much faster it seems.

Fluids

Oil: I carry 4 quarts. Usually enough for most situations. In a jam, it can also be used for gear oil or manual transmission fluid.

Transmission Fluid: I carry 4 quarts of this as well. Obviously for automatic transmissions only.

Brake Fluid: I carry a pint or two. Can’t remember a time where I really needed more.

WD40: A must!! Especially if you’re crossing rivers. Dissipates water very well. Very handy if you get some of your electricals wet, like a distributor.

Water: Good idea to carry at least a gallon.

Happy Adventure Travels,

Colorado Ron

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