a few questions about prepping for some off-roading....
One what do you guys use for an air compressor to fill up your tires after you air down for a sandy section or something? I am looking to pick something up (hopefully not terribly expensive)
Any reccomendations for a battery pack thing to jump start a dead battery? I was looking at a couple on amazon but a reviewer on one said it wasnt "strong enough to turn over a big V8"....so what would be?
And finally does anyone have pics of jerry can setups or other setups for carrying spare fuel when off-roading? All the jeep/rover type guys have cool racks for their rides but I havent seen any on trucks
Soon, I'm getting a 12 volt air compressor (plugs into cig. outlet), just for putting air back into my tires after offroading and being aired down. I was looking at one on Harbor Freight for around $25. It'll take some time filling all the tires back up, but it's better than driving 8+ miles to the gas station and doing it.
Jumper, I don't know...
My truck has a 24.5 gallon tank. No need for an extra fuel can... But if I needed some, I'd look at the Scepter 5 gal. "military" cans (plastic)...
I have used one of those portable jumpers that had a built in air compressor and 12 volt power port. It's really slow to re-air the tires. But, it's one less thing. I'd rather have an on board compressor and tank but other things are on the to buy list first.
I also carry a 12v cig. plug one but use it mostly to air up an air mattress for camping and such but can be used for tires as well.
I've seen one recently that also had a 120v power converter. That might be nice to have on occation
You will need as big a portable jumper as you can find pretty much. I think mine is a 450 if I remember correctly and it is all it can do to turn the motor over. I've seen someone try to use one of the smaller ones on a little VW bug and it wouldn't even turn that one over. Hooked mine up and it cranked right up. Most also can recharge from 12v so can jump the truck and then use the truck to recharge it.
Downside is that if I leave it in the truck it will slowly loose it's charge and last time I needed it, it wasn't charged enough to turn over the motor and had to bum a jump from a buddy I was wheeling with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MudTerrain
My truck has a 24.5 gallon tank. No need for an extra fuel can...
Some of those small 12v air compressors put out so little volume, that it would take en eternity to fill a set of large off road tires. This one might do it though. As for jump starts, I've always wheeled with other trucks, so a set of cables was all I carried. Fuel? 28 gal is plenty for me. I have wheeled for 8 hours in 4 low and still used less than half of my fuel.
There is no reason to carry extra fuel when offroading unless you're in very remote places where it will take 1+ day to wheel out of where you are to get fuel. If you carry fuel it is only 1 more thing to leak and pollute. Only carry minimal fluids. I usually carry a couple quarts of 80W90, a gallon of antifreeze, a couple gallons of water (non potable), and a couple quarts of engine oil. If I require any more than that then I'm screwed anyways and the extra fluid isn't going to get me off the trail. My 12gal fuel cell on the Ranger is good enough to let me wheel all day long. If I do carry gas I keep it back on the trailer.
For a jump pack, get the largest you can find. Don't buy one of the gimmicky ones with a radio, air compressor, asian hooker, or whatever else they put on them. The more crap they pack in the worse job they do at jumping. Myself I don't even bother carrying one in the ranger. I only carry a good set of jumper cables because rule #1 in wheeling is NEVER EVER go alone. I'm always with someone else, and if my battery goes I can get a jump. Worst case I can push start the pig.
For a compressor the harbor freight ones work, but not very well at all. A friend of mine carries the HD one. It can get you by in a pinch, but your money is better spend elsewhere. Get one of the continuous duty Viair units, you will be much happier. They actually put out enough air to run air tools for a limited time (if you get the larger ones). Mine will be setup in an ammo box or something similar with battery quick connects and an air fitting on the side of the box. This way it can be semi permanently mounted in the Ranger to fill the tanks, but can be pulled out in a pinch and thrown in the F250 should I need portable air in it. These kits are only a few hundered dollars.
I have one buddy running a Viair system on his Heep. We all use him for power tools/airing up mattress, tires, rafts, etcs. Its awesome, but pricey
Jumper cable works best, as Powerstroke said. I also carry a jumper pack, as a "just in case". I prefer to use a jumper pack on my Ford, less chance of a computer beings FUBAR.
I always carry extra gas. I use old school metal Jerry cans from some local 4x4 type shop (outta business now, was called Papola's). Better to have and not need, then need and not have. I have been in situations where it was handy (punctured gas tank. Jerry rigged to work. Filled up enough to drive to town and refill). I never wheel in a place thats is less then 1 hour drive to the gas station, plus and hour back. I keep all my Jerry cans at camp though, on that trailers. If I need em, I get towed back to camp and do all my work there.
Bring all necessary fluids. Bring extra garbage bags. Pack out more then you packed in. This means help out and take some trash out with you please. Will help preserve the right to wheel there, and anywhere. The Green Nazi party is trying their hardest to outlaw fourwheeling. Do your part to keep it alive. Don't give them anything to use against us. Bring proper oil containers. Autozone's, Kragens, etc usually sell an oil catch pan, with a lid and screw top type deal. These aren't bad to have around either, helps dispose of any fluid you may need to drain. Also look into something like this: http://www.dockboxes.com/category.aspx?cid=93
We almost always have a kit handy when we go wheeling.
(thanks Chris)
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