The uncommon things to carry on your SxS for your Trail Adventures ….
Your SxS Trail Adventure could quickly and easily end in disaster if adequate preparation is not taken to safeguard against unknown issues that can happen to even the most experienced trail drivers.
Going blindly and unprepared on a trail adventure makes for a disastrous recipe. Having some kind of distinct plan before you leave the trailhead is very important,not only to you, but to those that might have to rescue you. The most important step here is to let someone who isn’t going know your plan. Another important practice is never ride alone.
Checking the weather a few days before the start of your adventure will serve you well, even know it can change in a New York minute.
Having a weather radio with you on the trail is invaluable.
Having the right gear. In addition to all the normal things we load up and take on the trail – like … (recovery gear, first aid kit, tools etc.) are some more specific
gear you’ll want to consider having with you in case your adventure goes south – which it can do in a heartbeat.
••••• Maps/Compass
Don’t only rely on your phone navigation or your GPS device, as both could fail leaving you lost with only your wits and memory to guide you in the right direction. To mitigate this possible problem always pack paper maps of the region you will be in and a decent compass to orient the map with.
••••• Lug Nuts And Wheel Studs
Carry extra wheel studs, and lug nuts. While loosening lugnuts pieces of metal from the lug nut and or the wheel stud threads gets into the inside of lug nut and can fowl the wheel stud threads. Take careful time to blow out lug nuts before threading on stud….if its hard to turn…stop, back it off and inspect. Be careful where you put your lug nuts. Loosing these is not the end of the world (you could borrow one from each of your other wheels…in a pinch) but not having all 4 ?…. I’d be headed back to the truck.
••••• Lug Nut Size
Aftermarket wheels have different size lug nuts than stock.
So stock lug nuts cannot be used as spares. I made this mistake…once!
••••• Emergency Air Hose
My compressor broke….I made a air transfer hose set up to transfer air from one tire to another tire. Cost me 6 bucks to make. I have actually used this a handful of times.
••••• Tire First Aid
Double the contents of your tire repair kit, i.e.- plugs, patches, rubber cement, and shrader valves. Because …. if you run out on the trail (especially if your solo riding) ….. and you don’t carry a spare ????
••••• Inner Tube
Carry a Inner Tube as well as a spare. Stuffing a inner tube inside a tire that has an unrepairable puncture or slice can save you or someone else.
••••• Not Flip Flops
If your SxS Trail Adventure ends in the worst case scenario and your broke down and stranded …. having quality shoes to huff it out of the backcountry for help is a serious necessity.
So flip flops ….. (even know I am in love with my Teva Flip Flops) are the wrong footwear for a survival hike. I religiously wear my flip flops while SxS trail riding. But in my emergency survival pack …. I carry my hiking boots along with a pair of wool socks.
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