Cookware

For remote overland travel, be sure to carry fan belts, relays, fuses, a set of wheel bearings, a fuel pump and fluids like brake and transmission fluid. And, if your vehicle is a rare make, it’s best to carry oil, fuel and air filters with you, as the nearest small town may not carry the specific filters you need.

We actually recommend keeping two separate bags. In the first bag, keep Band-Aids ®, alcohol cotton swabs, ibuprofen, diphenhydramine, electrolyte packs, antibacterial cream, and anything else you’ll need to manage minor cuts and bruises. This will likely be the kit you rely on most. Also keep supplies for more serious injuries; nitrile gloves, gauze, super glue, Epi-Pens, SAM splints, and wound irrigators. While you always hope you’ll never need to reach into this portion of your overland gear, it’s definitely something you’d rather have on hand.

Rule #1 Know your equipment, its strewngths to get you out there, and its weaknesss for when you get stuck. Its better to get used to carrying rescue gear than need it and not have it.

A well-rounded toolkit is an off-road essential, as the unexpected should always be expected. Bringing tools specific to your vehicle and trailer is critical, and you should always make sure you include socket wrenches, a set of spanners, a hydraulic jack, a crow bar, and yes..zip ties, mechanics wire and a roll of duct tape.

Do "dry-runs" with your vehicle fully loaded (as-if you were leaving for a trip) and verify fuel consumption and deduct 5% for off-road idling and increased load on trail. Pack 2-3 jerry cans of gasoline/Diesel will provide you some peace of mind and help you get out of a jam if you find yourself on an empty tank in the backcountry.

Humans can live 30 days without food, but only 3 days without water. Packing an emergency supply of water could be the difference between life and death in the backcountry, and is one of the most critical aspects to any overland gear list.

(photo credit: blksubykid)

 A warm meal over a hot stove after a long day is always a great moral booster. A simple metal grate works great, and should always be packed. Just remember to pack a shovel to extinguish fires. A multi-fuel stove is very handy (especially if your rig runs diesel) in the backcountry because your not limited to one source of fuel.