10 Must-Have Essentials for Your Next Off-Road Camping Trip

For some people, a camping trip looks like pitching a tent in the backyard. For others, it’s an air-conditioned cabin at a campsite with Wi-Fi. But for those who love a challenge and whose thirst for adventure goes beyond the beaten path, an off-road camping trip is just what the doctor ordered.

But if you choose the road less traveled, you’d better come ready with these must-have essentials for your next off-road camping trip.

Recovery Supplies

Any experienced off-roader will tell you a recovery kit is essential anytime you go out. Your kit should have everything you need to pull your vehicle out of rough patches, including:

• A winch
• A snatch strap and block
• Tow cables
• Recovery boards
• Drag chains
• An air pressure gauge
• A tire repair kit
• A jack
• A chain
• Gloves

In addition, it’s helpful to have a shovel in your truck. Even if you can’t dig out your entire rig, you might be able to free up your wheels enough to make recovering it easier.

Spare Fuel

The whole point of off-roading is getting as far away from “civilization” as possible. Of course, no civilization means no gas stations, leaving you out of luck if you run out of fuel when you’re out in the woods. Keeping a little spare fuel around will help you avoid this kind of sticky situation.

However, that doesn’t mean you should keep gasoline in a cheap can in your passenger compartment. Look for a jerry can that’s designed to transport fuel long distances without the risk of gas leaks and other hazards.

Map and GPS

These days, we just toss an address into our phones whenever we need to travel somewhere we’ve never been. But off-roading may take you into areas where not even phone signals tread, so it’s best to have a few backup plans. A dedicated GPS will often get a signal even when your phone won’t, but just in case it doesn’t, it’s always best to have an old-fashioned map and compass too.

Electric Generator

Some hardcore adventurers find the idea of bringing an electric generator off-roading too reminiscent of that cushy cabin with Wi-Fi. But generators offer several key benefits that make them essential for your next off-road camping trip. With one, you can:

• Charge devices like GPSs or phones
• Provide power for tools and lights
• Use cooking devices like hotplates
• Power a mini-fridge
• Jump-start a car

When you’re choosing a generator, keep in mind what you’re using it for. If you’re going to be powering multiple high-watt devices, you will need a generator with higher amps, especially if you intend to use multiple devices at the same time.

Extra Water

In the event that you get stranded out in the wilderness, your water supply will be one of the most vital factors in determining your survival, particularly if you’re off-roading in the desert or extreme heat or if you’re hiking as well as wheeling. As a rule, you should bring at least a gallon or two of water per person per day.

Survival Pro Tip

Along with your extra supply of water, you should consider bringing a water filtration device for emergencies. You can use these filters to sterilize river or lake water if your water supplies run out.

Food Storage

Whether you’re camping out overnight or for a week, you’re going to need food. And how well your food keeps depends on how well you store it. Keep these principles in mind when you’re choosing storage materials for your camp food.

• If you’re keeping meat in the camp, make sure you have well-insulated coolers with an interior no warmer than 40 degrees.
• If your generator has the capability, bring a mini-fridge for raw meat.
• All food containers should be well-sealed to keep animals out, especially coolers. Some trails require you to use canisters designed to keep out bears.
• In areas where hanging your food is necessary, make sure you have a sturdy, 100-foot rope and a bear bag.

Remember: never leave your food unattended, even at night. The last thing you want is to lose your food to the great outdoors.

First Aid Kit

Accidents happen even to the most competent off-roaders. Be ready with a first aid kit equipped to handle basic injuries. Include:

• Bandages of multiple sizes
• Gauze
• Antiseptic wipes
• Scissors
• Eye drops
• Aloe vera
• Splints and wraps
• Pain medications
• EpiPens and other allergy medications

If you or anyone on the trip has a medical condition, they should pack extra supplies as well. For instance, if someone has diabetes, they should have extra insulin and needles at the ready.

IDs and Medical information

If you’re driving a car, the chances are good that you already have your ID on you. But your driver’s license isn’t the only piece of identification you want available when you’re camping. If something goes wrong and you have to be rescued, a medical ID with emergency contact information can help doctors get you the help you need even if you’re unconscious.

Rooftop Tents

Back in the day, camping meant staking a tent or crashing in the back seat of your car. While that’s still an option, off-roaders these days often prefer a rooftop tent you can affix to the top of your vehicle. Rooftop tents keep you out of dirt and puddles, and the elevation offers an extra layer of protection from any critters wandering around your camp.

Awnings

For daytime shelter, awnings are the perfect addition to your camp setup. They offer the perfect space to kick back and rest in the shade after you finish wheeling for the day, and they provide quick protection from the rain. You can even convert some off-road awnings into small screened-in rooms for when you need to take a breather from the mosquitos.

You haven’t truly experienced camping if you haven’t experienced camping in the wilderness. Whether you’re looking for new ways to trick out your ride for the trails or the accessories you need to hunker down for the night, Ironman 4x4 has you covered.