This article is for the members who need some help deciding on what to carry in your rig on a trail run. First I will review FTR's list of Required Equipment for a trail ride, followed by other recommend equipment . This article is about BEING PREPARED.


Required Equipment for all participants:

Tow Points, Front & Rear, Properly Attached
Your rig should have at least one properly designed and attached tow point on both the front and rear of your rig. These tow points could be stock tow hooks, aftermarket tow hooks, d-rings or a shackle. All these tow points must be properly attached to your rig either bolted or welded. A strap slipped over a tow ball is NOT a safe tow point.



Proper Restraint Systems for All Passengers
Proper restraint systems include, stock seatbelts, aftermarket harness systems, or child seat. They must be properly attached to the floor or cage depending on the rig and the system used. Also make sure the buckles and straps are in good working order and free from frays and cuts. The restraint system also must fit the passenger and not be too tight or loose.



Open Top Vehicles Must Have a Roll Bar or Cage
We don't want you to roll your rig, but accidents happen and we want you to be safe. Therefore all open/soft top rigs require at least a properly designed and attached roll bar or full cage that protects all occupants.



Proper Battery Hold Down
Proper battery hold down, to keep the battery in place in any event, including roll over. The battery hold down to keep the terminals away from all metal parts of your rig. Your stock battery hold down may be acceptable but make sure it is in proper working order and tightened down. Bungee cords are not acceptable.



Full Size Spare Tire
You need to carry a spare tire which is equivalent to the 4 on your rig. The spare does not need to match in width or even be the same style, but it must be of an appropriate height This tire must be sized appropriately to get you safely off the trail and home. Also make sure it is tied down or attached to your rig.


Jack
You need a jack capable of lifting your vehicle on uneven ground at least enough to change a flat tire. Bottle jack or High-lift type jack.



Tow Strap
You must carry an appropriate tow strap for your vehicle. All straps are to be of at least the 2" 20,000 lb variety. Absolutely no metal hooks! I cant stress that enough, they are dangerous and do not belong on a strap. Keep the strap clean and dry and free of frays.



CB Radio
The old staple is and continues to be the CB. We use this communication device on the trail all the time. It keeps you in contact with the leader and tail gunner at all times. As a club we generally run channel 22 on our trail rides. Don’t forget to tune your antenna with a SWR meter, there are at least a few club members that can help you with this.



Fire Extinguisher
You must carry an ABC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher in your rig on all run. Please make sure it is ABC rated and at least a 2lb minimum size. We require an ABC rated fire extinguisher because it works on anything from paper and wood ( class A ) to flammable liquids ( class B ) to live electrical ( class C ).



First Aid Kit
We are now also going to require that every rig has a small personal first aid kit. Nothing huge, just enough for you and your passengers for minor scrapes and cuts. A small kit can be had for as low as six dollars at your local sporting goods stores, in the camping sections.




This ends the list of equipment required by FTR to be involved in a trail ride. As a member you are not required to purchase any of these items, but if you wish to participate in a club trail ride you must have them with you. Below I will go over a list of recommended equipment that could make your trail ride more enjoyable and safer.

Recommended Equipment

Tools
Tools, we all break down or have something come loose. Wouldn't it be nice to have the tools to fix it yourself instead of scrounging for tools from everyone else? A good set of wrenches and sockets, vice grips, screw drivers BFH, etc. Also tools that may be specific to your model or rig, such as a hub socket as no one else on the trail may need or have that tool. Other things that you may not think of as tools but can defiantly help on the trail include, zip ties, duct tape, JB weld, silicon sealant, etc.

Spare Parts
Spare parts are not essential but are great when you do break something. Wouldn't it be horrible to break on the first obstacle of a trail ride and be done for the day? Spare parts should be for the stuff that could likely break and be fixed on the trail, u-joints, spare shafts, fuses, steering linkages, spare hoses, belts, etc.

Extra Fluids
Carrying extra fluids is the same as carrying spare parts and tools. Say you blow a power steering line and have your tools and a spare hose but don't have extra fluid. The other stuff would be worthless. Fluids could include gas, oil, anti-freeze, brake fluid, power steering fluid, etc.

Bucket or Drain Pan
Pretty self explanatory, just incase your rig has a leak of one of your fluids on the trail. Help protect the environment and our trails.

Trash Bags
Also pretty self explanatory. Don't leave trash on the trail, pick up any trash you see, even if it isn't yours, bring everything out that you went in with.

Adequate Food and Drink
Here at FTR we eat well. You might not know what that means yet, but stick around for awhile and you will definitely find out. On a trail ride we generally stop on the trail for lunch. Pack enough food and drinks (non-alcoholic) for you and your passengers for a day in the woods.

This concludes the list of required and suggested equipment for a trail ride. Having this stuff not only could make the trail ride more fun, but safer for you, those around you, and the environment. This stuff will help get you off the trail and home in a safe and responsible manor. Please what ever you decide please Be Responsible and Be Prepared. Get your stuff together and lets go wheeling. If you have any questions please contact me. Derek

Disclaimer: I am not suggesting you use any of the specific products that I show in the pictures, but please, for your sake and those on the trail with you, use quality products and use them correctly.

Copyright © 2004 Freedom Trail Riders