Question for Overland/Offroad Oppo

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 12/20/2018 at 19:03 • Filed to: None

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What would you say is key for someone starting in offroad/overland in terms of equipment?

An offroad vehicle will come, probably within a year or so. Meanwhile, I hope to do some tagging along with others.

bob and john > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 19:08

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big tires. some form of self  recovery is a MUST. extra tire/fuel as well.

jimz > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 19:15

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don’t have it installed by anyone who is also a Kinja dev

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 19:15

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You don’t need a S kottle, or a RTT, or an A ngry B eaver shovel. .

read these guys;

http://www.ruinedadventures.com/

and of course D2G;

http://desktoglory.com/

and Alex;

https://alexjacksoncreative.squarespace.com/blog/

You don’t need an expensive rig. save your money for gas and maintenance. You don’t want many mods if you are travelling, if its a weekend toy go nuts but for going far the closer to oem the better.

Buy something around $5k - explore our province first, then YK or AK, then turn south..

Nibby > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 19:16

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something with 4WD like a tercel 4WD

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > vicali 12/20/2018 at 19:28

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Like... A car around $5K?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 19:32

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1M lumen LED light bar.

bhtooefr > Nibby 12/20/2018 at 19:35

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No, no, get it right, something like a Prius AWD-e.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 19:57

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bare minimum, 4x4, shovel, sturdy 2in x 10x 24 thick boards, Recovery chain or rope. common sense.

start small, if you see water, wade through it or try and gauge depth , never assume “its only a foot deep”  

Just Jeepin' > bob and john 12/20/2018 at 20:00

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I think it depends on what you’re doing. I never stray too far from civilization unless I’m with a group, so having a winch is desirable but something I’m happy to procrastinate on for a while. Even when I’m alone  I’m more likely to have a flat tire than get stuck on the routes I take. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 20:25

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Our group is big on stock offroading, so I’d like to think we have a pretty reasonable gear set. Like most things in life, you can spend as much as you want on this stuff. For a minimum kit, a good recovery strap, shackles , winch damper (for safety) , and maybe a kinetic rope will get you out of most situations. If you’re going it alone, maxtrax (or offbrand versions) and a winch seem like a good idea. A winch is a... whole thing in and of itself, so you could buy a come- a- long instead and hope you don’t have to use it (slow, but it works).

Tire-wise, a full size spare and/or a good tire plug kit+tire inflator will come in super handy. Make sure you’re well versed in how to use the plug kit before you need it, though. Also make sure you have a jack that is up to the task of fixing a tire off-road.

I would say going out with other people is a great way to feel out your limits and what kind of kit works for you. Also recovery with 2 vehicles is WAY easier . Three is even better because you don’t have to worry as much about the recoverer getting stuck trying to save the recoveree. Our group started with two hitch shackles and a tow rope and we’ve gradually increased our gear stash as we figured things out. I’d say of our stuff, the kinetic rope and hitch shackle get the most use. We’ve tried the sand ladders (“maxtrax”) with mixed results.

The best recovery tool I’ve found is not to get stuck in the first place, but I also realize that is part of the fun haha. Sand and mud (to me) are the most challenging (read: terrifying) as the “depth” can increase substantially with no warning. Also mud will decide what line you’re taking whether you like it or not!

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 20:52

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I’m writing  an e book about this very question. by the time you'll be shopping it will (hopefully) be done.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 12/20/2018 at 21:02

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Nice!

Still probably not going to get a Toyota :(

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 21:04

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A map (helps to have a rough idea where you might be or might be going) .

A shovel (you never know when you might need to dig a hole or dig yourself out of one).

Fencing pliers (wire is very handy stuff and a decent plier will get the best out of it - Crescent Parrot Beak is our go to )

A saw (timber is everywhere and often comes in handy when it’s the right length...which is where the saw comes in - Barnel Tiger Claw if you must know)

Recovery rope (Dyneema or similar, but, more importantly, the knowledge and training to use it before you actually need to use it)

Patience (I’ve never found this in any store or anywhere else but I’ve met a few off-roaders who have it and it makes such a difference. None of them told me where to get it but I  figure it must be available somewhere... )

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 21:06

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i don't think I've put the word "Toyota" in too many times

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 21:13

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That will keep you in the honest hobby range. I talk big sitting here in a 2017 turd spurt but if I were seriously travelling I would be in a 4th Gen 4Runner.. Our truck does too much family truckster jobs to be a toy..

bob and john > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 21:19

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self recovery isnt always a winch. some boards to stick under wheels or something to help goes a LONG way

bob and john > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 21:19

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self recovery isnt always a winch. some boards to stick under wheels or something to help goes a LONG way

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > vicali 12/20/2018 at 21:24

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This will be a replacement to the Forte, I need it to be newer for work.

I can write of the depreciation , milage and upkeep. Also, $500 a month allowance....  Likely a new Jeep

DipodomysDeserti > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 21:27

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If you’ve never offroaded before, start with something in 2wd so you know what it feels like to get really stuck. Bring lots of water, good shoes, a  shovel and a friend.  After getting stuck a few times, you’ll know exactly what you need. If you never get stuck, then you know you can save some money on a 4wd.

Just Jeepin' > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 12/20/2018 at 21:28

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Recovery chain

Nooooooooooooooooo, please. Chains are way too dangerous in recovery situations.

nermal > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 22:02

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One thing you don’t need is a bazillion $$$ worth of stuff.

“Overlanding” is basically bro’d up car camping . Make sure you actually enjoy the camping side of it first, which you can do relatively cheaply .

Go to Walmart, and go to town on their camping equipment section. You should be able to get kitted out for less than $200 for everything 2 people will need to go car camping . A tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, folding chairs, and a cheap charcoal grill, lanterns, coolers, etc.

Then go camping. Pick a state / national park nearby , reserve a spot online @ recreation.gov if you need to , and go. Make sure to wander around aimlessly and explore the local area. Go hiking / biking / fishing / birdwatching / etc, whatever suits your fancy.

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 22:03

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What’s the plan for it? Something to play in the mud at stave or up Harrison on Saturdays or the Whipsaw is going to look different than something you want to get to Alaska with. Think about how and where you want to sleep, h ow many people are going, and how long you’ll be out for.

You can get pretty far with a hardtop Jeep/suv/t4r some sleeping bags, and a couple of coolers.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > vicali 12/20/2018 at 22:05

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hardtop Jeep/suv/t4r some sleeping bags, and a couple of coolers.

Pretty much that. Nothing too hardcore at all.

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 22:41

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Seems like a great start. 

benjrblant > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 22:43

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You don’t need “all the shit” for it. It’s become so commercialized and there are so damn many accessories for it, its silly. I started out with my old backpacking gear, a duffel, and a 4wd. Slept in a ground tent in sleeping bags, cooked on a rock, it was great. Start there. You don’t need a 4wd to start, car camp with what you've  got! Learn to enjoy the escape that it offers without letting all the gear amd crap cloud the fun out. 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > benjrblant 12/20/2018 at 23:17

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Car camp in the Forte?

benjrblant > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/20/2018 at 23:35

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Yes, I’ve flown cross country and camped out of a rental  Passat. Like i said, most of that "gear" isnt a requirement to enjoy nature and yourself. 

adamftw > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/21/2018 at 06:47

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Knowledge of limits and confidence in equipment.

The first thing you should do is find people who know what they’re doing, and go on a trip with them. 90% of the “Overland Community” are trucks that have too much shit bolted onto them, with people driving them who are worried about breaking or getting stuck. Camel Trophy Discoveries were stock (OK, they had HD D90 axles , but that was factory-spec equipment ) open differential trucks.

To go find some off the path camping spot somewhere, you literally need nothing more than a completely stock,   4wd vehicle.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > DipodomysDeserti 12/21/2018 at 07:32

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If you never get stuck why buy a 4wd at all? ;)

DipodomysDeserti > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/21/2018 at 15:52

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I worded that poorly. I meant you can save money by just getting a 2wd

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > DipodomysDeserti 12/21/2018 at 15:58

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Truth. I take my 2wd minivan all over. I’m looking to add a couple inches of lift and do even more this year.

The last stock SC 5speed > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 12/22/2018 at 06:40

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First decide are you getting out to camp, and get someplace to do activities or is driving a vehicle over bigger and bigger obstacles going to be the whole point? I Can’t help you with the latter.

If you want to range out with confidence to some amazing places, get it done and get back 3-4ish seasons of the year then I’m going to say 4wd is an absolute must have.

After that, the most juice for the squeeze by far is upgraded tires. Upgraded, not upsized. Good off-road tread, heavier duty, a size or two up from stock, wherever the sweet spot is that still works well with the original suspension geometry and gearing. Get the right tires and you’ll transform (for the better) the vehicle off-road from stock, for little money. Be very careful to keep the thing comfortable and livable for day to day and for long highway trips. I’m coming from the experience of having ruint several really nice rigs before getting realistic.

My other piece of advice is to get organized, in weather tight boxes, with latching lids. One box for the kitchen stuff, another box to hold the food itself( and I definitely recommend separating the actual food from the cook kit). One box for tent, tarp etc. The idea is to keep stuff together to minimize load up time, and squeeze every minute of time that you can chill while you are camped out vs digging through the vehicle constantly.

Sorry if this is kind of long but I’m at work when I’d much, much rather be camped out. For your time a pic of my rig for the last 10 years- 2006 Tacoma 6spd

Mods: 265/75 cooper sst’s up from 245’s, 12volt pump and heat exchanger for hot water, Cheap toneau cover. Anywhere it won’t easily go would be more fun to hike into.

The basecamp trailer is brand new, and still needs some finishing touches.