No self-respecting wheeler goes out unpre-pared, unless they haven't learned that whatever can go wrong will go wrong. And it doesn't always happen to you either. Instead you might come across a newbie with a hole in the oil pan, and no spare fluids to limp home on. Wouldn't it be great to be the hero and take care of the mishap, instead of grumbling how he's blocking the trail? Helping others on the trail may not be your job, but eventually that type of help may come back in a different form to help you or a loved one, so it really is worth it. To that end, we've collected a bunch of stuff we feel is critical for every trail ride we go on, and road trips as well. While this list isn't all-inclusive, we've purposefully left off items like antifreeze. We'd rather carry drinking water that can double as radiator fluid, instead of dying of thirst while looking at a full bottle of ethylene glycol. The more double-duty chemicals you carry, the lighter the load and more compact your goody goo kit will be. Or you can take that newfound space and carry that extra quart of oil you will undoubtedly need down the road.
Whatever you're pouring into your rig, using a funnel might make it that much easier, simpler, and cleaner. We love the new drip-proof funnel from Proform, with a ball doohickey on the end to stop leaks when you pull out. Also, you can pop the ball off if you want, and the flat side is handy in many constricted areas. | 
Axles need 90W gear oil and so do real transmissions and transfer cases. One or two bottles are imperative if you crack a case, blow a seal, or fill the case with water. Make sure that you have the proper tool to reach and remove the fill plugs, and an assortment of hoses, fittings, and funnels to reach those important holes. |
Tape comes under the chemical heading because it's goo on the backing. Duct tape is the one true savior of our sport, with electrical tape coming in a close second. A roll of each type of tape (and quality stuff, not the lowest priced crap) can save your bacon, from making funnels to sealing gearboxes. And zip ties? How can anyone ever go off-road without zip ties? What if you need to stitch a sidewall together? | |