What to pack in service bag.

[sapper76]

I'm fairly new to the trails and would like to know what parts to pack. What experiences ya'll may have had that I could learn from.

Right now I have:

• jack and lug wrench
• flares
• flashlight
• recovery strap
• cresent wrench
• funnel
• zip ties
• assorted nuts and bolts
• hammer
• pliers
• screwdrivers
• electrical repair kit w/xtra bulbs
• Fluid (brake, ATF, motor,WD40)
• tapes
• knives
• emergency can of Skoal Straight
• My wife packs the first aid bag.

Should I look into packing U-joints, shackles, compressor.

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

A compressor will come in handy if you plan on airing down, it's often not too far to a service station, but at highway speeds, 15 psi can be a little scary. Do you mean recovery shackles? Those come in handy. I like to carry a bow saw or axe (or both).

As far as what replacement parts, depends on the wheeling and how your set up. Lockers and tight or difficult terrain and you'll want to think about birfs, axles and u-joints.

 

[yohavos]

Jumper cables! I'll never forget the time my battery died and no one on our trip had freakin' jumper cables...the most basic of all things. The extra drive shafts and quarts of oil we brought didn't help a bit with that!

(note that I usually have cables in every vehicle I have, but had just used mine and left them in my garage before rolling out )

I second the recovery shackles, they're great. Short + Long tow strap, hi-lift, random hoses, duct tape, u joints... I've carried all sorts of stuff with me and always seem to break/bend/snap the one thing I don't have on hand. I have used my hi-lift and hand winch (come-along type) with some fancy shackle/tow strap work to achieve some interesting recovery angles. If I had the $$$ for a winch and snatch blocks, I'd definitely go that route.

Hell, bring an extra tow strap. They break, you can shackle em together for longer pull, etc.


Had to limp my j33p home with a screw in a water hose flush point (not sure what they're called, like a little "T" spliced in w/a nipple on it to flush coolant system) cause that baby broke on a run up to surprise lake last summer. I didn't bring that screw on purpose, I think it was one of the ones that came from taking my doors off.

Now that I think about it, I think I sold it with that trail repair still in place... whoops.

I've also seen JackZilla drive his IH Scout home with a beer box bungie corded down in lieu of his master cylinder cover after he rolled it.




Moral of the story - bring beer.

And a good sense of humor

 

[sapper76]

Good call on the cables. I would have totally forgot, and I have a drain in my system somewhere too. I'm headed to Wally World tomorrow for a compressor and an extra set of cables. Shackles are on order. I see a Hi lift on Craigslist for $50, but I think they were only $60-70 at the truckfest. Any great ideas on how to mount it on a stock front bumper? I'll search threads later. If I'm doing any serious wheeling it will be in a group and I get the cb cable replaced Moday as long as on-site recovery help is still bartered with beer we'll be allright.

 

[JackZilla]

A cold beer will get you more help out of me than you probably need. The problem is getting me to put it down long enough to be worth a crap.

Like yohavos was saying, a lot of the "trail" fixes that are made, are out of materials that weren't meant for it at all. Yes, it helps to have all the cool guy stuff with you, but sometimes you just need to be able to get your McGyver on.

 

[vkfzj80]

bailing wire, various sizes of hose clamps, a few chunks of 2x4 or 2x4, some spare clothing, water, a few large garbage bags, maps/gps if going far... another thing to watch for is that all your stuff is secured/tied down properly in case you flop it.