The Prospector’s 4x4 Off Road Checklist

Before you head off into the goldfields, use the following checklists to make sure that your vehicle is up for the trip, that you are properly stocked with the right tools, have the right spare parts, a basic first aid kit and survival gear.

Use these lists as a guide to get you started. It is just a guideline; what you actually choose to take along on each trip depends on the remoteness of the area you'll be traveling to. First and foremost, before hitting the road, you need to make sure your 4WD vehicle is in sound mechanical condition.

To determine whether your 4x4 vehicle is trail ready and capable of surviving an off-road gold trip, first do a visual inspection - inside and out. Then, take a few minutes to more closely inspect the inner workings; making sure that the following parts are in good working condition and you don't hear any strange noises coming from these areas:

• Axles & Differentials - hubs, seals, vacuum lines, shift motors, vent lines, front u-joints

• Battery - clean terminals, check for damaged or corroded wiring

• Brakes - drums, rotors, pads/shoes, fluid, hoses, leaks, check e-brake, brake lights

• Belts & Hoses - look for cracks or bulges

• Body/Frame - look for cracks

• Cooling/Heating system - look for leaks, fluid levels, clean and repair fins, check hoses, thermostat, radiator cap

• Driveline/Transmission - inspect case and shifter, leaks, fluids, universal & cv joints, skid plates

• Engine - carburetor, fuel injectors, spark plugs, wires, pcv valve, pumps, spark plugs, distributor & wires, belts; check for leaks and cracks

• Exhaust - muffler, tailpipes

• Fluids - oil, transmission, brake, radiator coolant, gear oils, wipers, power steering

• Lights - headlights, brake lights, auxiliary lights; make sure they're aimed properly

• Nuts & Bolts - tighten axle u-bolts, lug bolts, nuts

• Steering - check alignment, fluid level, belts and hoses, pump and reservoir for leaks

• Suspension - springs, shocks, alignment, wheel bearings, steering linkage

• Tires - tighten lug nuts, air pressure, tread wear (including your full-size spare), look for cuts and missing chunks

• Wipers - check for wear, fluid level

Once your vehicle is checked and ready to roll, it's time to load the necessary gear and equipment on board…

Having the Right Tools

Before heading off road, you should put some thought into what tools you'll need in your off road toolbox.

Your goal should be to have enough on hand so if something breaks when you're out on the trail, you'll be able to disassemble, repair, replace, and/or reassemble it in order to get yourself back on the road. As a bare minimum, you'll want to have the following items on hand:

• Air pressure gauge

• Allen wrenches

• Baling wire

• Crescent wrench (small & medium)

• Electrical tape & spare connectors

• Grease (or a grease gun)

• Hammer

• Nuts & bolts (assorted sizes)

• Open end/box wrenches (3/8" to 3/4")

• Pliers - standard, needle-nose and channel lock

• Pocket/utility knife

• Screwdrivers - standard and Phillips

• Socket set (3/8") with extensions

• Standard & Phillips screwdrivers

• Super glue/epoxy 

• Vise grips

• Wire & wire cutters/crimpers

Off Road Safety Gear & Supplies

When you’re miles from the nearest town it is better to be safe than sorry. The following safety and recovery equipment will get you out of most predicaments. And, if you're traveling with a group, then these items could come from any one of the vehicles in the group; it's not necessary for each and every vehicle to carry it all.

• Air pump/compressor

• Axe

• Blanket

• Bow saw

• Bucket

• Bungee cords 

• Can opener

• Candles

• Cell phone and/or CB (Note: steel whip CB antennas can be dangerous out on the trail)

• Cigarette lighter

• Coat hanger - don't underestimate the number of uses for the common household coat hanger!

• Compass/GPS unit (remove GPS below)

• Duct tape

• Extra gas - enough for a round trip & in an appropriate container

• Extra motor oil (1-2 quarts)

• Fire extinguisher 

• First aid kit (packed in a tight weatherproof container)

• Flares 

• Flashlight/lantern

• Flashlight/lantern/spotlight - with extra batteries

• Food (dehydrated foods take little space and last a long time)

• GPS unit/compass

• Hydraulic/hi-lift jack

• ID card, with emergency phone number contact info & medication/allergy information

• Jumper cables

• Leather gloves

• Maps

• Mirror

• Multi-fit hose and a roll of rubber-weld tape - to repair a blown radiator hose

• Paper towels

• Pen & paper (a china marker writes on anything!)

• Radiator Stop Leak / Tank sealant putty

• Rags

• Repair manual for your particular vehicle

• Rope

• Rubber gloves

• Shovel

• Spare clothes

• Spare key kept on your person

• T-style lug wrench

• Tarp (6'x6') - to keep yourself out of the mud and to catch small parts

• Tire pressure gauge & tire pump; fix a flat

• Trash bags - heavy duty

• Water - enough for you (to drink, clean up) and your vehicle (battery, radiator, washer fluid)

• Waterless hand cleaner

• Waterproof matches

• WD-40/lubricant

• Whistle

• Winch kit - including straps, snatch block (pulley), shackle

• Zip ties/cable ties

Building a First Aid Kit

Your first aid, and or survival kit should be compact, lightweight, dependable and easily accessed. There are also a number of kits and products on the market today to simplify the repair process, should a particular part fail. Some of the most popular: radiator stop-leak, silicone gasket material, plastic steel, plastic aluminum, tank sealant putty, tire plugs/patch kit, carburetor cleaner, etc.

Here are all of the first aid items you should include in your off road kit – they could help save your life:

• Adhesive Bandages

• Adhesive Tape

• Alcohol Preps

• Anti-Diarrhea Tablets

• Aspirin

• Calamine lotion

• Dust Masks

• Elastic Bandage

• Emergency First-Aid Book

• First Aid Cream

• Gauze Pads

• Gauze Roll

• Hydrogen Peroxide

• Instant Cold Pack

• Instant Heat Pack

• Mouthwash

• Prescription Medications

• Razor Blade

• Sanitary Pads

• Scissors

• Snake Bite Kit (in certain areas)

• Splints

• Tongue Depressors

• Toothache Kit

• Towelettes

• Tweezers

Remember, to learn the limitations of your vehicle before attempting advanced trails or long journeys into the backcountry. There is no substitute for common sense. If a trail looks questionable don’t try it; especially if you are alone. In the event of an accident, break down, or you become stuck; always remain with the vehicle. The chances of your vehicle being spotted are much greater than a lone individual walking through the desert.