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What We Bring - Light Traveler or Over-Packer?Which One Are You? From the May, 2012 issue of 4 Wheel Drive By Kevin Blumer Photography by Kevin Blumer
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From the “Be Prepared” motto of the Boy Scouts of America to the “Go Prepared” of Warn Industries, the message is clear: backcountry trips require readiness and equipment. But how much is too much, and how much is not enough?
There’s no set formula for what constitutes preparedness and what does not. When prepping for a trip, you need to know the strengths and weaknesses of your vehicle, the duration of your trail trip, the terrain you’ll be encountering, and the number of other people and vehicles also along for the ride. Based on these variables and your own judgment, you can begin to pack your tools and spares.
To illustrate the two ends of the spectrum, we paid a visit to Poison Spyder Customs’ Larry and Cheri McRae, and then took a close look at the payload inside a personal daily driver/trail rig. Larry and Cheri personify the “light traveler.” Cheri’s new JK is packed with a minimalist-style selection of tools and gear that leaves plenty of room left over inside for passengers. It feels clean and uncluttered.
On the other hand, the equipment found inside the 4Runner bears strong resemblance to a gas. Unlike a solid or liquid, a gas expands to fill its container. While well-equipped for the solo adventures often undertaken, it turns out that there are some definite opportunities to pare down the 4Runner’s payload. Yep, I’m an “over-packer.”
Take a look at what we bring, and then decide how much is right for you.
The Light Traveler
Cheri McRae’s 2012 JK Rubicon Unlimited is built with a smart selection of bolt-on suspension parts and bolt-on Poison Spyder hardware. Since the McRae’s usually ’wheel with groups and quite often have their tow rig waiting in the main camp area they don’t need to load the JK very heavily.
 Poison Spyder has just come...  Poison Spyder has just come out with utility bags to make packing for the trail an easier task. This one is designed specifically to fit in the rear well of the JK’s cargo area.  We unpacked the bag and spread...  We unpacked the bag and spread out the contents. It turns out you can fit a lot of stuff inside! The usual suspects are found inside, but there’s almost always a vehicle-specific spare or two that should be included.  This power steering hose end...  This power steering hose end is part of a ram-assist system, and there’s also a pair of block-off plugs in case a hose ultimately can’t be repaired in the field.  This breaker bar is long enough...  This breaker bar is long enough to persuade stubborn lug nuts, and the requisite extension and socket are zip-tied into one neat assembly.  Large-sized end wrenches take...  Large-sized end wrenches take up a lot of real estate, so crowfoot wrenches and a breaker bar make a superior trail combo.  Larry has spent plenty of...  Larry has spent plenty of frigid hours inside a rock buggy, so he brings an Izod packable jacket, a face mask, and chemical warming packs to ward off the chill.  Here’s another Poison Spyder...  Here’s another Poison Spyder gear bag. This one fits perfectly beneath the JK’s second row seats.  Smaller bags inside the larger...  Smaller bags inside the larger subdivide the supplies and keep things better organized. Wire strippers, diagonal cutters, spare fasteners, and a selection of sockets are inside this one.  Rescue Tape (far left) can...  Rescue Tape (far left) can be used for a multitude of repair tasks. Spare rod ends (this bent one came from a trailside rock buggy repair) can get you off the trail under your own power if you bring them along. Spare U-joints (and the tools to change them) are also welcome in the tool bag.  A first-aid kit should be...  A first-aid kit should be one of the first items on your list. Start with a pre-made kit and add prescription drugs and special medical supplies, like a bee-sting kit or asthma inhaler, to make a custom kit that works best for you.  A selection of fuses, electrical...  A selection of fuses, electrical tape, butt connectors, and an electrical tester are easy to find and inexpensive to purchase.  Every vehicle should have...  Every vehicle should have a fire extinguisher. Poison Spyder offers a mounting kit that places the extinguisher within easy reach on the roll bar. Not focused on but along for the ride are a spare tire and a Hi-Lift jack. The ability to change a flat on the trail is a must. The Over-Packer
I know I’m not the only one, but since I’m so good at it, I feel I’ve earned the right to the title “Der Overpacker.” There’s some method to the madness, though. Solo trips are taken frequently, and neither tow rig nor trailer exists in my world. Everything that’s going goes in the 4Runner.
A second reason for the heavy loading is that I don’t wrench at home most of the time. All the tools have to make the trip to the wrenching session. It’s easier to bring everything than it is to show up wondering whether something vital has been left behind.
One thing’s missing, though: a proper first-aid kit. While shooting photos, I jabbed my finger and started bleeding, only to realize I didn’t have first aid kit with me. D’oh!  A 35-inch spare won’t fit...  A 35-inch spare won’t fit in the stock location, so it goes in the rear cargo area. A utility box goes on top of the spare, and the duo gets cross-strapped to factory D-rings. After that, everything gets piled in the leftover space.  On the whole, tool bags work...  On the whole, tool bags work much better than boxes. They’re quiet and flexible where boxes are clattery and rigid. Fluid bottles need extra protection, so they go in the tall ammo can on the right. There’s not enough room in this story to list all the tools carried in these bags.  The fire extinguisher gets...  The fire extinguisher gets tucked into one of the large bags: not the easiest place to reach it quickly. I’m planning a rear suspension re-do that involves a shock hoop in the rear cargo area, and this will provide a perfect home for the fire extinguisher. Bulky, heavy items should never be allowed to float freely.  I don’t have a spare CV shaft...  I don’t have a spare CV shaft assembly, but I do carry two spare CV boots inside a second ammo can, which lives inside a tool bag.  I don’t get flats often, but...  I don’t get flats often, but am prepared for them just the same. I carried an aluminum floor jack for years, but the compact, powerful Baja Designs Kwik Jak HD has taken its place. Should the CO2 run out, the factory jack will work in a pinch. A custom lug wrench, an a-arm adapter (which creates a lifting surface), and a short piece of 2x6-inch lumber round out the tire changing supplies.  A single Powertank is always...  A single Powertank is always present. On longer trips or when I’m with multiple vehicles I’ll often bring a second Powertank for added filling capacity. Like the fire extinguisher, the Powertanks will mount to the rear shock hoop once the rear suspension-re-do is reality.  Among other items, the utility...  Among other items, the utility box contains a mechanic’s blanket, spare serpentine belt, jumper cables, a recovery strap, a roll of Gorilla tape, heavy gloves, and shop rags.  Nalgene water bottles were...  Nalgene water bottles were made famous in the movie 127 Hours. They’re a great place to store spare flashlight batteries, body plugs, fuses, and bolts. On one occasion, I lost a nut off of a control arm fixing bolt and was glad I’d brought a spare.  Sunblock and insect repellant...  Sunblock and insect repellant get tucked into a door pocket, while a Black Diamond backpacking lantern, a TechLite Lumen Master flashlight, and a can of Counter Assault pepper spray go in the glove box. Counter Assault is a non-lethal way to deter marauding woods creatures when I’m hiking. Hopefully I’ll never have to use it.  Call it toilet paper, T.P.,...  Call it toilet paper, T.P., or mountain money; just never forget to pack it. Purell hand sanitizer helps maintain hygiene.  Photo equipment is a must....  Photo equipment is a must. A ladder comes along for most vehicle features, making engine bay and roof rack shots much easier. The tripod allows low-light shots that require a rock-steady camera. A spare camera body, extra lenses, and battery charging supplies complete the list.  When there’s camping involved...  When there’s camping involved or when more than two people are riding in the ‘Runner, a Thule Sidekick roof box creates extra cargo capacity. To keep the center of gravity as low as possible, light bulky stuff (such as sleeping bags) goes in the Sidekick roof box. By the way, Thule is pronounced “too-lee.”
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