Color Legend
Red: Necessary Items
Green: Recommended Items
Blue: Nice to have Items
STUFF FOR YOUR RIG
Spare Keys: You don't want to ask...
Spare Tire: Should be as close to the same size as the other four tires as possible
Vehicle Jack: The stock "bottle jack" will work in many situations, but a HiLift is highly recommended.
Lug Wrench
Lock Nut Key: You won't believe how many "yahoo's" forget their key which means they can't change a tire unless they can break the wheel stud off.
Premixed Coolant: 1-2 gallons is fine.
First Aid Kit: The bigger, and more complete, the better. Make sure you keep it replenished as you use it.
Fire Extinguisher: Buy one that is for automobile type fires. Also make sure it's secured properly to the vehicle within easy reach, not underneath tons of stuff in the back of your rig!
Air Compressor: Inexpensive (<$30) Walmart/Napa/Pepboys ones work fine, but quality units like an ARB or Quick Air are recommended. Power Tank's also work well, but are new on the market and reliability is still a question, although all reports indicate that they are a very good alternative.
Spare Gasoline: I've heard that the 5 Gallon cans from Wedco are best since they are fully sealed and no vapors can escape. This means they can be stored in your rig rather than needing to be stored outside. Wedco metal gas cans are available at Napa Auto Parts. I don't recommend the metal Blizzard cans as they are designed with a breather hole which means they must be stored outside and will emit gas fumes.
Spare Oil: 6 Quarts minimum.
Brake Fluid: DOT 4 is best, DOT 3 is acceptable.
TOOLS TO BRING:
I've found that you can purchase most all of these as a kit from your local hardware store (Home Depot, ACE, etc.) or at Sears. They usually come in a hard plastic case that is pre-organized. The best kits come with additional space in the plastic case for additional tools.
Adjustable Open End Wrenches: Large, Medium, & Small
Screwdrivers: Large, Medium, & Small of both Phillips (cross) and Flat Head types.
Allen Wrench Set: Best to purchase a set that's self contained and not all loose. Some prefer ball ends but this is something I'll leave to up to you.
Rags: 10-20 of the 12"x12" size work well.
Hand Cleaner:The self drying kind is nice but not that great for the environment, unless they are made of Citrus based solvents/cleaners.
Hammer: May be needed for driving tent stakes in the ground.. A Medium wight claw hammer is fine.
Spark Plug Socket: Get the right size for your spark plugs... yes there are different sizes.
CAMPING ITEMS TO BRING
This includes all your general camping gear. If you were never a boy scout, girl scout, etc... don't worry. It's pretty easy and straight forward. If you're not sure, you can always askd others who camp or email me your questions.
Stove: Light, Stable, and reliable are the key things you'll want to look for. There are a variety of types of stoves, using a variety of different fuels. Each has it's own merritts and weaknesses. Ask your local camping store which is best for your needs.
Cooking/Eating Utensils: Some prefer disposable items while others prefer reusable items. It's really up to you. Either way, keep them in a sealable zip lock bag for ease of storage. Try and find soup ladels/spatula's that fold at a camping store. A little more expensive, but well worth it. don't forget a coupld of steak knives both for food prep and consumption.
Can Opener: Sounds stupid but folks have forgetten to bring them when they brought canned foods.
Matches: Waterproof kind is better, and a the BBQ lighters are very good as well.
Lantern: Battery operated units work both outdoors and in your tent, but nothing beats the output of a propane/gas lantern. "Flame" lanterns should never be used in a tent.
Flashlight: Make sure you have fresh, working batteries along with spare bulbs. Handheld units are prefect for most uses, while head worn units are great when your hands are full. Plus they start at about $20 each, so they're fairly inexpensive.
Sleeping Bag: Don't skimp here. For your best bet, look for a dual bag (inner & outer bag) that you can use year round. A good back typically cost $50-100. Blankets don't work anywhere nearly as effective as a sleeping bag.
Tent: Almost always a necessity. Try and get a 3-4 season tent. A waterproof tent is best. Depending on when & where you plan on camping, the amount of ventilation can be very important as well.
Tent Stakes/Rope: Bring extra tent stakes, and extra rope/string to help keep your tent anchored properly during windy weather.
Tent Patch Kit: Typically inexpensive and necessary in foul weather. Duct Tape works well in a pinch.
Table: If you're going to an established campsite with tables, then this is a "nice to have" item. This becomes a necessary item when you're really roughing it!! A simple folding table is fine, although bulky. For about $20, you can get a light, table that you can roll up into a 9"x9"x36" space.
Chairs: Again, not necessary when going to an established camp site. The best kinds are the ones that fold up into a cube about the size of 8"x8"x24"
Firewood: Make sure it's dry. Don't forget kindling, and of course matches. Fire starters made from wax and wood shavings work great for starting a wood fire.
FOOD ITEMS
If you do the "Costco/Sam's Club" trip, also get some Zip Lock Sealable bags and break everything down into meal sized portions.
Meats: You know what you like. Frozen is better and will aid in keeping other "perishables" cooler. Meal sized portions are best. Also, pre-cooked items like sausages are great because they're very easy to prepare.
Veggies: Take what you'll want. Avoid items like Tomatoes that bruise easily. If possible, preslice and freeze. I makes storage and meal prep, so much easier.
Cerials/Breads: Go with sub sandwich type of breads, as typical sliced breads don't survive the rigors of off road travel very well. For breakfast, I stick to flavored instant oatmeal. All you need for this is boiling water!
Dairy Products: Cheeses are fine, but only take as much as you'll need. Yes, that means the 24 slice pack is probably more than you'll want to bring for that 2 day trip. Pregrate and slice your cheeses in advance to make meal prep easier.
Liquids: About the most important fluid you'll need is water, and lots of it. Two gallons per person per day is good. Reusable, collapsable containers are great for liquids.
I'm sure there's more, but that's all I remember right now. E-mail me if you think I missed anything.
