Summer is firing on all cylindars, and there is nothing more thrilling and adventurous than to take out your 4×4 and head to the great outdoors for some genuinely kick-ass off-roading. However, before you fire your rig up, you might want to consider some essential accessories that will make the experience even more pleasurable:
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LED Light Bar
When the sun begins to descend, and light is quickly disappearing, you need to turn to your own to get back to civilization. For better or worse, your factory headlights may not be able to guide you to safety, in which case a LED Light Bar will definitely come in handy. Not only can it produce a brighter light than its factory-standard friends, but they do so in a far wider arc and without fogging for reliable and superior visibility year after year. It also doesn’t hurt that they look totally awesome!
Navigation
Veteran off-roaders know the importance of maps and navigation. There is no fun in getting lost in unfamiliar territory, especially if the next gas station is out of reach of what’s in your tank. There are plenty of free navigation apps out there for both the Android and the iOS, but it never hurts to have an analog variant, just in case. The Road Atlas is a good example here.
If you are looking to purchase a Nav App, consider one that allows you to pin notes on your route. These pins will become indispensable if you ever find yourself in a tight spot. You could mark areas with the best cell reception, or various hazards that you may encounter along the way.
Traction Ramps
No matter how powerful your 4×4, it’s almost certain you will get it stuck at one point or another. Even if in most cases you’ll be able to extricate yourself using a floor mat or some tree branches to gain purchase for your tires, eventually you will likely find yourself in a deeper quagmire. In such cases, a pair of traction ramps to get you out of a sticky situation, be it mud, sand, or snow.
Lock Boxes
When riding over rugged terrain, the last thing you want is for all of your belongings to end up flying around the inside of your car. Keeping that gear safe in secure storage, will not only prevent this from ever happening, but you’ll also rest easy knowing that your valuables are safe when your vehicle is unattended.
Medical Kits
Off-road driving wouldn’t be any fun if there wasn’t a small dose of risk involved. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that you should put your life in danger, or be complacent about preparing for any unforeseen eventuality. Having an emergency medical kit at the ready is a must, especially if you are far away from civilization. You can either put together one of your own or purchase a ready-made kit. Whatever option you choose, always remember to add in any other supplies based on your specific medical needs.
Communications
Last but not least, there is the matter of being able to keep in contact with the rest of the world. If you run into an emergency while out in the bush where there is no cellphone reception, having the means to communicate with someone can sometimes make the difference between life and death. Even if this a rare scenario, it can and does happen occasionally.
These accessories presented here are sure to give you the peace of mind necessary when going off-roading.