Packing For The Trail

A recovery strap is a great thing to have on the ready but for some reason it always gets buried under a mass of tool bags and gear – especially when you need it most. The Off-Road Trail Tools Recovery Strap holder mounts easily on tailgates, bumpers, tire carriers, roof racks, roll bars, or interior panels and can accommodate 2- or 3-inch recovery straps 20 to 30 feet in length. Manufactured from non-sparking, non-rusting material the strap holder can also be pad locked for security.

Need a low buck solution for stowing some key safety items? All this arrangement took was some hook and loop tape, magnets, and a few C-clip-style wall mounts, and all is kept securely in place.

One thing most 4x4s lack is suitable tie-down points. Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs has this covered with its VersaTie Track kits. The Jeep Wrangler JK kit is shown but universal kits are also offered in 1-, 2-, and 4-foot lengths to suit many applications. The JK Kit is available for two- and four-door Wranglers, utilizes factory holes for mounting (no drilling required), and includes stainless steel hardware.

You can’t securely stow your gear without a quality set of tie downs. Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs Utility pack is a great way to have the necessary straps on hand at all times. The pack comes with four ratchet straps rated at 2,800-pounds breaking strength and four soft loop extensions. The straps are available in black, blue, red, green, yellow, purple, and silver colors in 6- and 10-foot lengths. A canvas storage bag is included.

MasterCraft Safety offers a great selection of gear storage bags that have been designed for off-road racing vehicles but are also a great fit for everyday 4x4s. The MasterCraft Dirt Gear Bag is ideal for keeping cold weather and emergency supplies safe at hand. The MasterCraft Safety Tool Totes are water repellant, are available in three sizes, and feature bottom padding for tool protection. They are easily mounted using the included bag straps that screw or pop rivet to the floor or other surface and securely wrap around the bag with a buckle closure. The MasterCraft Safety Wrench Roll-Up is constructed from rugged 100-percent cotton duck canvas and closes with a Velcro strap. Small and large roll-ups are available.

The MasterCraft Safety Door Bag attaches easily to any door or body panel with four fasteners, allowing easy access to whatever emergency supply or tools you want to keep handy. MasterCraft Safety Tie-Down straps are also shown and are a great aid in securing gear in your 4x4.