Vehicle Recovery and Repair Gear

[Dave L.]

Just in case AAA is unavailable...
I have been trying to assemble the best set of gear (within reason) to keep in my primary vehicle (4X4).
This kit would mainly be to get over/through obstacles, make small repairs, and fix/change flat tires.

In no particular order:
-Tow Strap (at least 3X your GVW and 30ft. Long)
-Bottle/Scissor Jack (I prefer 3X stronger than GVW)
-4-Way Lug Wrench
-Cable Come-along
-D-Ring Shackles
-Tire Repair Kit
-12 Volt Air Compressor/Tire Guage
-Pull Pal Earth Anchor
-Hi-Lift Jack Extreme 48”
-Bolt Cutters with Hardened Jaws
-Shovel (Spade Type) or Quality E-Tool
-Axe
-Gloves/Eye Pro/Dust Mask
-Duct/100 MPH Tape/Bailing Wire/Zip Ties/J.B. Cold Weld/Gorilla Glue (Misc. Repair Kit)
-General Tool Kit (Crescent Wrenches/Screw Drivers/Etc.)
-Canvas Tarp/Blanket (6'X8' to lay on during repair)
-Head Lamp/Flashlight w/Spare Batteries
-Jerry Can and 6ft. of Hose (Syphon Kit)
-2nd Spare Tire when possible
-Tire Chains
-Fuse Kit
-Solar Panel (12 volt trickle charge kit with controller)
-AC/DC Multimeter
-Jumper Cables
-Extra Serpentine/V-Belt w/Breaker or Tension Bar
-Penetrating Lube/WD-40
-Fuel Filter
-Radiator Hose Sections
-Fluids based on vehicle requirements (Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid, etc.)

*Winch, Preferably a Warn (Obviously the best answer to recovery but not always feasible or affordable)
*Winch Kit (Snatch Blocks, Tree Saver Straps, Chain, etc.)
*Chainsaw (Husqvarna or STIHL with an 18" bar would be my two choices)
*Hi-Lift Handle-All Kit looks like a solid idea to save some space.

Anyone have any other items to add on this or better options to what I have listed?

[That Guy v2.0]

I'm working on coming up with a similar kit. I've got a 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma. I'm only in the planning stages right now though.

A great place to get ideas is http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/

It primarily focuses on the overland/expedition type vehicles. Very thorough and informative.

[KevinC]

That looks like a well thought out kit. But heavy. Carrying that much weight on a daily basis is going to affect more than your gas mileage.

I would add some type of penetrating lube - bolts will not come off at the most inopportune time.

If you do get a winch, loose the come-a-long and the one of the jacks.

KevinC

[Dave L.]

That looks like a well thought out kit. But heavy. Carrying that much weight on a daily basis is going to affect more than your gas mileage.

I would add some type of penetrating lube - bolts will not come off at the most inopportune time.

Yes, it will be heavy. Being in the Distaster Prep and Preparedness Forum it has a purpose, to get you from A to B under emergency circumstances.
Being prepared is never lightweight, or free

Good idea on the penetrating lube; PB Blaster is good $hit.

If you do get a winch, loose the come-a-long and the one of the jacks.

Definitely, somethings will be redundant because of what you have as OEM products in your vehicle and what you may throw in during an emergency. I'm not sure if I would toss out the OEM jack, but I would have no need to carry a come-along with a winch. I have heard the come-along called "the poor man's winch", for $60, it's a cheap insurance item.

[Dave L.]

I'm working on coming up with a similar kit. I've got a 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma. I'm only in the planning stages right now though.

I have a 2008 Nissan Frontier NISMO 4X4 double cab. Pretty much exactly what you are working with. One thing I have done already is buy an extremely heavy duty plastic trunk from Tractor Supply Co. and fill it with most of my gear. The trunk breaths but keeps water from coming in even during the hardest rains. I hold it in place with a ratcheting truck-bed bar. The only stuff that wont fit are the longer times like my Hi-Lift Jack and shovel; stuff that can be thrown in the bed.

[pmarc]

Definitely, somethings will be redundant because of what you have as OEM products in your vehicle and what you may throw in during an emergency. I'm not sure if I would toss out the OEM jack, but I would have no need to carry a come-along with a winch. I have heard the come-along called "the poor man's winch", for $60, it's a cheap insurance item.

I've seen a simiar discussion in some brazilian offroad forums, and came to the conclusion that the come-along is best overall tool, because of being lighter, man-powered (save batteries and fuel) and more versatile overall.
For instance, it can pull your vehicle sideways and backwards. Yes, you can do that with your bumper installed winch, but that will need some pulleys which aren't in your kit. I would add some sort of pulley anyway.

Beware: I do not have experience in vehicle recovery.

[obucina]

ive got an old skule canvas USGI-type tool bag with all of the common sockets for everything from battery terminals to starters. Wire crimpers, connectors, etc...and a 1/2 breaker bar for the belt tensioner...and a spare belt. Also, a 500 count cannister of zip ties.

my car has hex bolt equipped battery terminals so i have a full set of hex wrenches....

* spare set of battery terminals!

[ryan]

I dont know how many come alongs I have broken in my youth trying to extricate my old Waggoneer or Trooper.

IMO a $60 come along aint worth having, now if you spend closer to $200 on one of the big boys that may be a different story.

Their main weakness is, if you are alone (no one in the vehicle) you are pulling that weight with no help, but you maybe Hercules and can handle it not me...

[ST911]

That's a pretty good list to start. There's some redundancy, but that's not all bad. Depends on your load and anticipated problems. Navigating forested terrain and recovery from its obstacles is a little different than gumbo/mud bogs, or wet prairie lows.

OEM jacks suck and are nearly useless in backcountry.

Combinations of extra water, JB weld, a length of hose, duct tape, and a high-lift jack have brought me home more than once. Luck is not a plan, but it was helpful a time or two as well.

As with defensive weapons, knowledge of how to use them is king. Knowing how to drive, where not to go, and how to negotiate iffy terrain and obstacles is worth faaaaar more than widgets.

[Blstr88]

Im assuming you've got a truck? If its a pickup, that gear isnt too heavy at all, really thats barely a drop. Store it all in a nice heavy locking toolbox in the bed and the truck won't even know its there. I think having some redunancy is a good thing too. A winch would definitely be something I'd add.

As for the winch, it might be a good idea to set it up so it can mount on the front OR rear. Have a reciever installed on the FRONT or your truck as well as the rear and set the winch up so it can be slid into either reciever...makes it even more versatile.

If it happens to be a diesel Id also suggest a transfer tank in the bed. I wouldnt do it with gasoline, but diesel would be ok. They even make toolbox/transfer tank combos and you can carry anywhere from 40-100 gallons of extra fuel, DRASTICALLY increasing your range.