Preparing your car for a cross country off road trip

tsk1979 · 16th July 2009, 17:20

There are many threads which talk about essentials for a long drive, or essentials for an off road outing in the outskirts of the city.
How ever I was unable to find a single thread dedicated to long cross country trips which will involve a fair amount of both off road and on road driving.
For example, Sha's trip to Leh which included the jaunt to Marismek La.

Or something like what I did when we went to Jaisalmer, long drive with lots of sections following the footsteps of the Desert Stormers.

So I decided to create a thread for this specific purpose.
Here we can discuss the tools, and accessories as well as specific preventive maintenance tips.

Things I can thing of
1. Carry a Jerrycan if you are going to venture to places where fuel is scarce
2. Two ropes
3. Portable air compressor/fuel pump
4. Spare fuses and bulbs
5. Shovel
6. Hydraulic Jack
7. Extra spare tire
8. First Aid Kit
9 Proper toolkit
10 Air filter
11 Duct Tape
12. Jump start cable- very important
13. Mseal
14. Swiss Knife
15. Coleman Lantern- it uses petrol (Optional)/Or LED latern(available online for 5-15$ depending upon number of lights,
16. Sleeping Bags
17. Couple of flashlights

Please add stuff to the list, and also give tips
I think this thread will help people like me who are planning long trips in the Himalayas or going for a desert jaunt in the winters

suman · 16th July 2009, 17:24

Nice initiative. I've mentioned my preparations & things carried in my LTOR thread though.

tsk1979 · 16th July 2009, 17:43

Suman, add the info here also, as it will be a consolidated source. At periodic intervals, I will edit the first post of this thread, to add more items as members recommend them!

Sha · 16th July 2009, 17:55

12. Jump start cable- very important
13. Mseal
14. Swiss Knife
15. Coleman Lantern- it uses petrol (Optional)
16. Sleeping Bags

khan_sultan · 16th July 2009, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

...
2. Two ropes
...

Hey TSK, why Two ropes?

Parm · 16th July 2009, 18:28

a visit to your family doctor before the trip and a general medical checkup and a list of medicines to carry along with the priscription!

Optional: a hockey or a baseball bat?

Lukeskywalker · 16th July 2009, 18:30

Quote:

Hey TSK, why Two ropes?

I think he meant TOW ropes Khanbhai, but knowing you, you are just pulling his leg as usual

Ym-enjn · 16th July 2009, 20:52

Nice thread tsk and perfect timing. Going for the Corbett trip with NIOC from Jaipur.

Just few more things

** Waterproof hood (for soft tops or topless jeeps)
** Proper mud flaps, or else no one will know you..
** working wipers
** keep additional tube atleast one.

SS-Traveller · 16th July 2009, 21:09

I'd suggest:
-- spare batteries for torch, camera etc.
-- some length of 6mm/10mm electric wire - 2-3 metres at least
-- plenty of drinking water
-- some refreshments - biscuits etc.
-- a handheld cigarette-lighter-socket-operated spotlight, esp. if night driving is planned
-- industrial heavy-duty gloves
-- compass and detailed maps
-- GPS is an option

MexXxentric · 16th July 2009, 22:01

Extra lamps
spare bulb for headlights.
Turmeric Powder ( can take care of minor water leaks from radiatior)
Spare v-belts or Coir rope
A flat thick wooden block. ( can be handy for tyre changes as support for jack)
Cable ties ( or cord organizers)

If you plan for camping

plan for insect repellent creams & carbolic acid crystals ( sprinkling its around your camp site will keep of reptiles)

Alfa_Kilo · 17th July 2009, 11:06

Some things I carried to Leh

- Extra hoses for the radiator
- Fuel pipe
- Engine and gear oil
- Glue
- Grease and grease gun (required on long trips in jeeps)
- Gum boots
- Two 10m tow straps and shackles
- Extra electrical wire
- Lots of old newspaper to clean the windscreen (did not use it as the WS was down most of the time)
- Coolant and water
- Fanbelt
- A footpump

Things I should have carried

- Helmet
- Better sunglasses
- Shock cords
- Hand winch (not very useful lying in jaipur)
- Ground anchor (imp if alone)
- A post paid phone
- A tailgate
- A footpump that worked

DesertKing · 18th July 2009, 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I think this thread will help people like me who are planning long trips in the Himalayas or going for a desert jaunt in the winters

A nice thread. If you are planning for a long desert drive, one must have a GSP as you often get confused about the direction after crossing every dune. If any plan turns up for desert, do not forget to let me know in advance.

sudev · 18th July 2009, 07:08

A good dose of very scarce commodity - Common Sense. You can not be prepared enough.

Carrying all the tools and not knowing your vehicle and mechanicals is bigger problem.

Camera and 12v-240v car convertor.

phamilyman · 18th July 2009, 07:51

Amen to Sudev ji - car charger is key. infact I am now planning to buy a 1 to 4 car charger attachment along with 240v outlet.

How much didja buy the 240v outlet for, saar?

Pepper spray comes in handy generally. Mostly for animals, I must add.

SS-Traveller · 18th July 2009, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Pepper spray comes in handy generally.

Fully agree - must be part of every long-distance traveller's essential survival kit in India! (Unless you have a gun licence and move around armed...)

16th July 2009, 17:20	#1
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,823 Times View My Garage	Preparing your car for a cross country off road trip There are many threads which talk about essentials for a long drive, or essentials for an off road outing in the outskirts of the city. How ever I was unable to find a single thread dedicated to long cross country trips which will involve a fair amount of both off road and on road driving. For example, Sha's trip to Leh which included the jaunt to Marismek La. Or something like what I did when we went to Jaisalmer, long drive with lots of sections following the footsteps of the Desert Stormers. So I decided to create a thread for this specific purpose. Here we can discuss the tools, and accessories as well as specific preventive maintenance tips. Things I can thing of 1. Carry a Jerrycan if you are going to venture to places where fuel is scarce 2. Two ropes 3. Portable air compressor/fuel pump 4. Spare fuses and bulbs 5. Shovel 6. Hydraulic Jack 7. Extra spare tire 8. First Aid Kit 9 Proper toolkit 10 Air filter 11 Duct Tape 12. Jump start cable- very important 13. Mseal 14. Swiss Knife 15. Coleman Lantern- it uses petrol (Optional)/Or LED latern(available online for 5-15$ depending upon number of lights, 16. Sleeping Bags 17. Couple of flashlights Please add stuff to the list, and also give tips I think this thread will help people like me who are planning long trips in the Himalayas or going for a desert jaunt in the winters Last edited by tsk1979 : 16th July 2009 at 18:05.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 17:24	#2
suman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 4,589 Thanked: 279 Times View My Garage	Nice initiative. I've mentioned my preparations & things carried in my LTOR thread though.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 17:43	#3
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,823 Times View My Garage	Suman, add the info here also, as it will be a consolidated source. At periodic intervals, I will edit the first post of this thread, to add more items as members recommend them!
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 17:55	#4
Sha BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Canberra Posts: 539 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	12. Jump start cable- very important 13. Mseal 14. Swiss Knife 15. Coleman Lantern- it uses petrol (Optional) 16. Sleeping Bags
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 18:28	#6
Parm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a Toyota! Posts: 2,753 Thanked: 890 Times	a visit to your family doctor before the trip and a general medical checkup and a list of medicines to carry along with the priscription! Optional: a hockey or a baseball bat?
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 20:52	#8
Ym-enjn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jaipur Posts: 1,039 Thanked: 59 Times	Nice thread tsk and perfect timing. Going for the Corbett trip with NIOC from Jaipur. Just few more things Waterproof hood (for soft tops or topless jeeps) Proper mud flaps, or else no one will know you.. working wipers keep additional tube atleast one. Last edited by Ym-enjn : 16th July 2009 at 20:59.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 21:09	#9
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,162 Thanked: 27,120 Times View My Garage	I'd suggest: -- spare batteries for torch, camera etc. -- some length of 6mm/10mm electric wire - 2-3 metres at least -- plenty of drinking water -- some refreshments - biscuits etc. -- a handheld cigarette-lighter-socket-operated spotlight, esp. if night driving is planned -- industrial heavy-duty gloves -- compass and detailed maps -- GPS is an option
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 22:01	#10
MexXxentric BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 248 Thanked: 11 Times	Extra lamps spare bulb for headlights. Turmeric Powder ( can take care of minor water leaks from radiatior) Spare v-belts or Coir rope A flat thick wooden block. ( can be handy for tyre changes as support for jack) Cable ties ( or cord organizers) If you plan for camping plan for insect repellent creams & carbolic acid crystals ( sprinkling its around your camp site will keep of reptiles)
	() Thanks

17th July 2009, 11:06	#11
Alfa_Kilo BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jaipur Posts: 328 Thanked: 13 Times	Some things I carried to Leh - Extra hoses for the radiator - Fuel pipe - Engine and gear oil - Glue - Grease and grease gun (required on long trips in jeeps) - Gum boots - Two 10m tow straps and shackles - Extra electrical wire - Lots of old newspaper to clean the windscreen (did not use it as the WS was down most of the time) - Coolant and water - Fanbelt - A footpump Things I should have carried - Helmet - Better sunglasses - Shock cords - Hand winch (not very useful lying in jaipur) - Ground anchor (imp if alone) - A post paid phone - A tailgate - A footpump that worked
	() Thanks

18th July 2009, 07:08	#13
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	A good dose of very scarce commodity - Common Sense. You can not be prepared enough. Carrying all the tools and not knowing your vehicle and mechanicals is bigger problem. Camera and 12v-240v car convertor.
	() Thanks

18th July 2009, 07:51	#14
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,641 Times	Amen to Sudev ji - car charger is key. infact I am now planning to buy a 1 to 4 car charger attachment along with 240v outlet. How much didja buy the 240v outlet for, saar? Pepper spray comes in handy generally. Mostly for animals, I must add.
	() Thanks