ITEMS THAT DON'T BELONG ON THE ROAD
Too much gear or supplies can be a hassle. Make your next four-wheel drive trip an even better, safer and more convenient one by bringing along only the essentials.
I OFTEN STRESS ABOUT THE VIRTUES OF PROPER PACKING
for a four-wheel drive trip. Understanding what gear and supplies are essential can make or break your experience. Taking the wrong stuff can be bad a thing for you and other enthusiasts, your vehicle and the environment. What kind of items am I talking about? The following list will give you a good idea. These categories clearly demonstrate the issue.
Environmental Responsibility:
• Glass beer bottles: From what I’ve seen, beer drinking can lead to irresponsible behavior. Empty bottles are tossed on the ground or into the fire pit. Broken glass litters the campground, which is a real hazard. If you want to drink beer or soft drinks, bring aluminum cans (and make sure you recycle). • Wood with nails that are used to burn:
Most nails end up in the fire pit. However, some get scattered about where they can potentially get stepped on and/or puncture tires.
• Processed or treated wood used for firewood: This wood gives off noxious fumes when burned. Use only untreated wood, preferably that is thoroughly cured (gray in colour). • Also, don’t transport firewood more than about 80 km (50 mi). There’s risk of spreading invasive bugs like the emerald ash borer.
• Mylar balloons: They can potentially get wrapped up in brush and simply litter the grounds or waterways. Animals also sometimes try to ingest the material or string.
Potentially Messy Items
• Raw eggs in the original grocery carton: These cartons aren’t the most durable. So, there’s a high risk of the eggs breaking. The whites and yolks work their way throughout the carton and glue other eggs together. It might also leak through the carton and gum up other food and containers in the fridge. It can be a real mess. For health and safety, do not be tempted to crack a dozen eggs into a Nalgene bottle. That’s an easy way to introduce contaminates and salmonella. Eggs quickly spoil outside the protective shell. If you want to pack raw eggs, store them in plastic egg containers. They come in multiple sizes, ranging from one egg up to a dozen. • Salsa dip in a plastic container: The lid can pop off during all the jostling of a typical four-wheel drive trip. Then you have salsa all over the fridge/freezer or ice cooler.
If you like to keep the salsa and chips handy – in your lap for instance – well, you’ll soon have a very tasty, but messy lap.
• Car-sick dog: No explanation needed.
Additional Food:
• Perishable items: Be careful with seafood, mayonnaise, and other foods that must be kept chilled. Consider eating or cooking these items quickly.
• Large containers of condiments: Do you really need a large jar of pickles, ketchup or relish for a weekend adventure? Save the precious space in your vehicle. Pack only small containers for those and similar food items.
Respect others
• Loud radio or generator: Radios and generators have their place off road. Just keep the noise level down. That’s easy to do with a radio, of course. The generator should be placed as far from the tents as possible. You could also craft a tent-like structure to help muffle the engine rumble. • Human noise: We all like to have a good time while camping. Once the sun sets, make sure you lower the voice level, too. Allow other campers to sleep peacefully (*note - this doesn’t include snoring). However, if you snore loudly, please be kind to others.
• Trail mates: Leave any whiners behind (or
in town and not on the trail).
Wrong vehicles
• All-wheel-drive vehicles: These don’t feature 4-Low, which is critical while fourwheeling. There are sections of nearly every trail that exceed the capability of an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Without 4-Low you won’t have enough power to go over boulders, up steep hills or through heavy sand, snow and tough terrain.
Miscellaneous
• Sandals: Always pack closed-toed footwear. Boots are preferred. Your feet aren’t protected with sandals and there are plenty of sharp, prickly bushes out there.
• Large, non-disposable, containers: They’re handy for storing quantities of food, firewood, and other consumables. Once you use up the products, you’re stuck with that space-killing container. Bring your supplies in a cardboard box, bag, or softsided carrier. You can fold up the bag and stow it and break down the cardboard box for recycling. • Firewood, a Dutch oven or fireworks: If a fire restriction is in place, leave these at home.
• Illegal drugs: No explanation needed. Yet, feel free to check marijuana laws. Just understand that the province or state you live in and the one you’re travelling to may have different laws. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs seriously impairs an individual’s judgment and reaction, which can lead to an increased risk of accidents and injury. We require that all operators are sober when driving.
For a successful four-wheel drive trip, what you leave at home is just as important as what you take with you. As you pack your vehicle, ask yourself if you really need each item – you just may discover other items that don’t belong. Tom Severin is a 4x4 Coach and teaches fourwheel drive owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skills. Connect with Tom Severin on Facebook - tom.severin.77