Overlanding Prep Thread

[Gravy]

Me and Greg tried a sand ladder. In the sand. And it didn't work. I mean it was better than a garden shovel and a floor mat but yeahhhhhh.

 

[Greg]

Me and Greg tried a sand ladder. In the sand. And it didn't work. I mean it was better than a garden shovel and a floor mat but yeahhhhhh.

I've used it in dry sand and the same one worked great, conditions make a difference... 4WD does as well.

 

[Gravy]

Truthfully it worked better as an awkward shaped shovel than a sand ladder though.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

well, I think I'm going to go with a good ground tent.

I'm going to get the diff. breathers, not necessary, but I like them, they look cool. I like cool things under the hood of my range rover.

I'll either going to buy a fridge slide or make one. And then do some homemade drawers or some storage bins so I can move stuff between my vehicles.

I'm going to get a spot or sat phone. I just don't think I'll ever use HAM radios, yeah they are cool, but lets face it, I don't even use my CB.

Thanks so far, keep it coming.

 

[DAA]

Where in the wild world you plan on going that you think you'd need a sat phone? Leaving the country? If you aren't even leaving Utah, that's wasted cash. Unless your legs are just painted on and don't actually work, you'll never get out of fairly easy walking distance of a cell signal around here. It's depressing... One of the reasons it's depressing, is it has brought more people out, the ones that don't feel safe unless they can call someone. It's fear based, and not connected to reality, and they really shouldn't be there at all if they don't feel safe without a phone, the phone ain't going to fold space and time for them, they'll still need to handle their own crap if it becomes necessary. But chances are really, really good, it won't be necessary.

Talk about removing all traces of adventure spice though. But just go out and see if your phone works. Sadly, it probably will...

- DAA

 

[sawtooth4x4]

My phone doesn't work in a lot of places I go. So that's why. Its a personal choice, its not like I'm going to have it on, unless I need it.

So what if I want a sat phone or spot. Seems like a good idea if something bad happens. I do have a wife and 4 kids to take care of still. My work takes me to Wyoming a lot as well. There isn't a lot of cellphone coverage up there either.

Where in the wild world you plan on going that you think you'd need a sat phone? Leaving the country? If you aren't even leaving Utah, that's wasted cash. Unless your legs are just painted on and don't actually work, you'll never get out of fairly easy walking distance of a cell signal around here. It's depressing... One of the reasons it's depressing, is it has brought more people out, the ones that don't feel safe unless they can call someone. It's fear based, and not connected to reality, and they really shouldn't be there at all if they don't feel safe without a phone, the phone ain't going to fold space and time for them, they'll still need to handle their own crap if it becomes necessary. But chances are really, really good, it won't be necessary.

Talk about removing all traces of adventure spice though. But just go out and see if your phone works. Sadly, it probably will...

- DAA

 

[DAA]

It's none of my business. I just think if you actually got out and did some camping first, you'd probably realize a sat phone just to go camping is just plain silly.

- DAA

 

[johngottfredson]

Don't listen to the haters. Get the satellite phone, and you can skip all that expensive self extraction equipment and probably a bunch of tedious preventative maintenance. Big $avings!!

 

[Homefryy]

It's none of my business. I just think if you actually got out and did some camping first, you'd probably realize a sat phone just to go camping is just plain silly.

- DAA

A sat phone is overkill for 99% of situations but if it isn't a large expense for your budget it isn't a bad idea to have yourself covered for that 1%. If you are out there by yourself things can definitely go wrong in very bad ways. What about a breakdown and an injury that makes it so you can't walk to get help or a cell signal? The probability of that happening isn't high but if it did happen it sure would be worth having spent that money.

For me a sat phone or SPOT would be a large expense so I don't have one but if I had more disposable income I probably would.

 

[Cody]

I have a Garmin InReach instead of a spot or sat phone. Works great when you're out of range and people can reach you in emergencies...or you can reach out. It also tracks and you can navigate to other users point to point, so if a few people have them it makes them even more useful.

The other thing that should be mentioned in RTT's is the upkeep. I've been around plenty of people with ripped/stuck zippers, falling out bolts/nuts, broken bases, broken ladders, etc. I feel like if we go on a trip for 3-4 days with 3-4 people with RTT's, at least one of them is coming home with a stuck or broken zipper or some other malady. I'm not bashing them as I've spent plenty of great nights in them and as Kurt points out there are definitely situations where they offer major advantages, but outside of the tent itself the mounting and containment can create complications.

 

[Greg]

My wife bought me a SPOT several years ago after I went for a long, solo motorcycle ride into remote and challenging places. I was out of communication from her for some time and it didn't sit well with her. I used it for a few years, especially on motorcycle rides where service was rare. It was a good way to let her (and friends) know I was safe in my travels. I have since lost it (fell out of it's place) and haven't replaced it, but love the Garmin InReach Cody mentioned.

 

[Noahfecks]

I carry a spare birfield, probably less than a 1% chance I will need it

People talked about carrying sand ramps, probably less than 1% chance they will need it

I don't personally carry sand ramps but i wouldn't criticize someone who does (well maybe in the mall parking lot), a communication device is like that. it's a personal choice, you will probably (I hope this is true) never need it, but man when you need it you really need it.

 

[Cody]

I don't have a problem with people carrying sandramps, hi lifts, fuel cans, etc. I just think it looks like you're trying to impress someone when you keep them strapped to your rig when you're just driving it around town and to the grocery store.

 

[Caleb]

When I rode my dirt bike a lot, I always had my spot on me. Main reason was if I crashed hard, I probably wasn't walking to find reception on my phone. For most other scenarios, it's not really needed but is nice for cases like Greg mentioned (people at home and watch your progress and have an idea of where you're at. If you haven't moved in a while, they could also call for help).

 

[frieed]

(people at home and watch your progress and have an idea of where you're at. If you haven't moved in a while, they could also call for help).

Ham radio with APRS...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Ham radio with APRS...

I heart HAM

 

[SnwMnkys]

The diff breather looks like nothing more than a manifold for an air compressor. Id just plumb your lines into a 4 block manifold and run single or double breather/filter.