Backcountry driving with your 200 (Overlanding) (1 Viewer)

[Ali M]

I am thinking about setting aside 5-7 days at some point in the near future to tackle WABDR or similar track in the Northwest to try backcountry driving/camping and would be very grateful if mud members can share their experience and gotchas in overlanding backcountry tracks. Aside from food, water, hygiene and clothing, items that I a more interested to learn about from you are:

- Your vehicle mods and recovery gear that was helpful during the expedition
- Fuel Supply (figuring out re-supply points)
- Tech and Radio Comms
- Preparing for Weather changes
- Terrain types and how it impacted your vehicle

Attached is the latest WABDR GPX snapshot from Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR)

Thanks!

 

[TeCKis300]

Great topic. I'd love to hear more as well.

Chainsaw/axe? Shovel?

 

[grinchy]

@indycole has a nice recovery gear article on his blog

 

[gentimmy]

If you'd like another resource: www.expeditionportal.com

 

[tbisaacs]

I am thinking about setting aside 5-7 days at some point in the near future to tackle WABDR or similar track in the Northwest to try backcountry driving/camping and would be very grateful if mud members can share their experience and gotchas in overlanding backcountry tracks. Aside from food, water, hygiene and clothing, items that I a more interested to learn about from you are:

- Your vehicle mods and recovery gear that was helpful during the expedition
- Fuel Supply (figuring out re-supply points)
- Tech and Radio Comms
- Preparing for Weather changes
- Terrain types and how it impacted your vehicle

Attached is the latest WABDR GPX snapshot from Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR)

Thanks!

View attachment 1748126

Ali, when are you going?

 

[indycole]

Much of my overpreparation/overpacking is a result of traveling solo most of the time. The #1 thing I’d recommend is traveling with a second vehicle. The #2 is legit wilderness first aid training. I’ve done WFA/WAFA and have rescheduled my WFR training a couple times due to work.

Some initial high level thoughts.

• Plan to have 25-30% more fuel than you’d need if you have to turn around from the furthest point from fuel.
• Bring some recovery gear even if you don’t have a winch. Airing down and a shovel will go a long way. Recovery boards are nice.
• For BDR type travel you tend to not need anything extreme on the mod side... good tires, maybe sliders. OBA is essential.
• I know folks like the Inreach type devices, but ham radio and sat phones are your best comms assets when remote. Also read up on the differences in emergency response between PLBs and Spot/Inreach.
• You can usually get weather updates on an Inreach. I play it conservatively with weather especially when traveling solo. Bring enough food and water in the event that you have to wait out the weather.
• Re: terrain be mindful of stretches where you can travel at higher speeds (25 mph+) where hidden obstacles may be present such as sharp rocks that cause sidewall pinch flats or woops that will rock your suspension hardware. There’s a strong correlation between times I’ve let my guard down on the trail and the times I’ve caused vehicle damage.
• Get the best tire repair kit you can find and have some idea of how to fix a sidewall tear. The kit from Extreme Outback is the best on the market.
• Leave a plan with people at home.

 

[gentimmy]

Much of my overpreparation/overpacking is a result of traveling solo most of the time. The #1 thing I’d recommend is traveling with a second vehicle. The #2 is legit wilderness first aid training. I’ve done WFA/WAFA and have rescheduled my WFR training a couple times due to work.

Some initial high level thoughts.

• Plan to have 25-30% more fuel than you’d need if you have to turn around from the furthest point from fuel.
• Bring some recovery gear even if you don’t have a winch. Airing down and a shovel will go a long way. Recovery boards are nice.
• For BDR type travel you tend to not need anything extreme on the mod side... good tires, maybe sliders. OBA is essential.
• I know folks like the Inreach type devices, but ham radio and sat phones are your best comms assets when remote. Also read up on the differences in emergency response between PLBs and Spot/Inreach.
• You can usually get weather updates on an Inreach. I play it conservatively with weather especially when traveling solo. Bring enough food and water in the event that you have to wait out the weather.
• Re: terrain be mindful of stretches where you can travel at higher speeds (25 mph+) where hidden obstacles may be present such as sharp rocks that cause sidewall pinch flats or woops that will rock your suspension hardware. There’s a strong correlation between times I’ve let my guard down on the trail and the times I’ve caused vehicle damage.
• Get the best tire repair kit you can find and have some idea of how to fix a sidewall tear. The kit from Extreme Outback is the best on the market.
• Leave a plan with people at home.

Fantastic advice. What are your views on comms? Do you see HAM or SAT phone as “must haves “?

 

[indycole]

I love the peace of mind and utility of a sat phone. An Inreach is the next best alternative but make sure you get one that allows you to connect to your phone for typing. Otherwise you may die from exhaustion of typing on the Inreach

I’m a comms snob when it comes to ham. Nothing beats it for staying in touch with a group or trying to find others in a vicinity. FRS and CB are basically toys compared to 2m radio. There’s a reason many off-road clubs require it.

I see sat and ham as complementary resources; each has its core use case though there’s some overlap in emergency situations. For instance, one time my wife had to hike out while I stayed with the truck. She took the HH ham and I had the mobile unit with the truck.

 

[mark71]

How to fix a sidewall tear? I didn't think such a patch existed. More info?

 

[indycole]

How to fix a sidewall tear? I didn't think such a patch existed. More info?

I’ve had both successes and failures in that department. Sometimes you can get by with a ton of plugs but usually that’s just enough to get to a safer spot or a place where you can get a tow.

A serious tear would require a procedure like this. I’m no expert on the matter, btw, but have a decent amount of experience after a couple runs of bad luck with tires.

• Break the bead on the tire. I carry “Tyrepliers” but there’s also a bead breaker attachment for a hilift. There are many less elegant methods of breaking the bead.
• Remove the tire from the wheel. I carry a pair of tire irons.
• Find the tear on the interior of the tire. “Clean” the tear using a reamer. Use a rasp to rough up the area around the tear about the size of the largest, strongest patch you have in the kit. Some kind of solvent may help.
• Use a large gauge needle or awl to sew heavy duty nylon thread (forget the exact type offhand but it’s included in the Extreme Outback kit) or snare wire in a pinch over the tear from the inside of the tire. I’ve also wondered if using a drill would make this go faster.
• Add some sealant or glue of some kind to the inside on the tear, around the tear, and on the patch.
• Apply the patch to the inside of the tire.
• Use some water or soap to live the tire and install the tire on the wheel.
• Reseat the bead on the tire.

That will get you off the trail.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

You will be traveling on an established trail with lots of use. Dont over think it and learn what you can do without to survive if needed and go and have a good time. In time you will figure out what you really need. LT tire failure are uncommon when you air down and pay attention to where you are going.

 

[tbisaacs]

You will be traveling on an established trail with lots of use. Dont over think it and learn what you can do without to survive if needed and go and have a good time. In time you will figure out what you really need. LT tire failure are uncommon when you air down and pay attention to where you are going.

+1. WABDR has a few on hwy sections and bypasses if you need to bail, restock, or go home.

 

[coleAK]

Another vote for don’t over think it. I go all over remote AK. Food, medical kit, water/filtration, fuel, come along, bubba rope, InReach, chain saw, ax. Bone stock LX570 with KO2s.

I go by the theory if I need heavy mods I don’t need to be going there. The LX is highly capeable in stock form, with an LC you may want/need a lift.

 

[coleAK]

What I go up the hall road I take 2 spare wheel/tires, so 3 total.

 

[TimCFJ40]

If you have one, a chainsaw is nice to have if you're covering long routes, especially if there's been recent weather events. It sucks to get well into a trip and get detoured or turned around for a 5 min saw job.

 

[Ali M]

Much of my overpreparation/overpacking is a result of traveling solo most of the time. The #1 thing I’d recommend is traveling with a second vehicle. The #2 is legit wilderness first aid training. I’ve done WFA/WAFA and have rescheduled my WFR training a couple times due to work.

Some initial high level thoughts.

• Plan to have 25-30% more fuel than you’d need if you have to turn around from the furthest point from fuel.
• Bring some recovery gear even if you don’t have a winch. Airing down and a shovel will go a long way. Recovery boards are nice.
• For BDR type travel you tend to not need anything extreme on the mod side... good tires, maybe sliders. OBA is essential.
• I know folks like the Inreach type devices, but ham radio and sat phones are your best comms assets when remote. Also read up on the differences in emergency response between PLBs and Spot/Inreach.
• You can usually get weather updates on an Inreach. I play it conservatively with weather especially when traveling solo. Bring enough food and water in the event that you have to wait out the weather.
• Re: terrain be mindful of stretches where you can travel at higher speeds (25 mph+) where hidden obstacles may be present such as sharp rocks that cause sidewall pinch flats or woops that will rock your suspension hardware. There’s a strong correlation between times I’ve let my guard down on the trail and the times I’ve caused vehicle damage.
• Get the best tire repair kit you can find and have some idea of how to fix a sidewall tear. The kit from Extreme Outback is the best on the market.
• Leave a plan with people at home.

Thanks for sharing. This is very helpful.

 

[Ali M]

Ali, when are you going?

Not sure but I am itching to go before kids go back to school.

 

[Romer]

A Pett Toilet Setup. A would grate to stand on for a shower, using the Pett Toilet Tent. I also have a shower thing thats like a big fire exten. You add wire, heat it up to a point based on temp gauge mounted on tide, pump it up and go. I think its a zodi. If your going when its cold, a buddy heater. Clothes you can easily layer if needed.

Don't go alone as it is easy for anyone to get hung up. Plus nice to have someone around the campfire at night. I have found about 5-6 vehicles feels about right, not to many to slow you down and enough to have a good group of folks to have fun with

 

[linuxgod]

The most important gear for a multi-day trip

 

[Scro]

I rode the WABDR on my KTM, It’s not very difficult. +1 on the inReach, works great and isn’t too expensive.

Don’t over think it, use common sense and go!

I like the feeling of uncertainty and a little fear, makes for a great trip.