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10 Essentials for Wheeling

10 Essentials for Wheeling

FromThe Jeepcast


10 Essentials for Wheeling

FromThe Jeepcast

ratings:
Length:
68 minutes
Released:
Jul 18, 2018
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

This week Gary and Gary discuss an adaptation of the classic 10 Essentials , but for wheelin. They discuss some listener feedback new in this week, plus Carissa reads the new iTunes reviews. And of course there is a famous Jeep of the Week. Tune in to hear a fresh new episode of the Northwest Jeepcast. Look for bonus content at patreon.com/nwjeepcast.     1. Navigation (map and compass)   For wheelin, having a map and compass are good, especially if you run out of power.  Maps in this case can be Topo like hiker/backpacker/mountaineers, but given the distance our rigs travel that could be many maps.  For us it is more practical to have MUVM type maps or others similar to that; or guide books/trail reports.  For the most part we have to stay on offroad trails or forest roads and maps with these are best for us.  Given that we can usually carry sufficient power, using GPS and mapping software such as Gaia or Avenza which can also import Forest Service digital maps. And finally having radio equipment on board our rigs is very helpful in keeping a group of rigs navigating the same course of trails/roads.  The minimum is a CB for short range (a mile or two) communication, but better yet is Ham (requires certification) or hand held dual band radios which can communicate5-50 or more miles.   2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)   For wheelin, both sunglasses and sunscreen are needed.  Additionally having some form of shade for our rigs is important when we are wheelin open air; Softop up, Safari/bikini on, or spider shade.  These will protect us in our rigs from getting baked and burnt when we've had too much sun running topless. 3. Insulation (extra clothing)     For wheelin, we have much greater carry capacities than people on foot do.  Bringing along rain gear, wind gear, jackets and heavy blankets is not much of an inconvenience for us, nor will it slow us down much if any.   4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)   For wheelin, having a headlamp/flashlight is also essential.  I can count may times I've come off the trail at night due to breakdowns on the trail.  And then of course there is actual night wheelin.  In addition to having personal illumination, our rigs need sufficient lighting for the kind of night wheelin we intentionally or unintentionally do.  At a minimum we need sufficient forward and side lighting to see safe distances to find the trail and avoid obstacles.  The faster you intend to trail off road the greater the lighting requirements with desert racing at night requiring the most illumination, plus for dusty day racing having warning rear lights is essential as well. For rock crawlers having some rear lighting and under carriage rock lighting is also very useful. Vision X provides great off road illumination products for all conditions.   5. First-aid supplies   For wheelin, again having more carrying capacity we can afford to carry larger first aid kits than foot travelers can.  At a minimum we should carry a good wilderness first aid kit and manual like the mountaineers do as we too can be quite far from professional medical help.  See our show notes for wilderness first aid kits and manuals. Also having Ham radios with emergency repeaters programmed in  is very useful in emergency conditions for contacting medical personnel when cell service is not available. 6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)     For wheelin, at a minimum we need to carry at least this much fire capability with us.  Depending on the season and fire restrictions we can bring wood with us as well and often do except mid summer; including winter snow wheelin.    7. Repair kit and tools   For wheelin, this is where we have the biggest enhancement to the 10 essentials.  Not only do we have personal repair kits and tools including items such as Leatherman tools, but we minimally carry fluids, small tool kits and spare parts.  For longer multi day trips we carry larger tool kits and more spare parts.   See Episode 106 Tools for
Released:
Jul 18, 2018
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

A Jeep Podcast --This is the Northwest Jeepcast where we talk about Jeeps! You want to hear about your rig, from the beast to the least, we're talking about your jeep. And we got the scoop on the trail systems of the Pacific Northwest and more.