The 12 Basic Items Every Off-Roader Should Have

With foresight, you can avoid potentially trip-ending mishaps out on the trails. It's always better to err on the side of over-preparedness, but you also can't pack for every possible scenario. When building your kit, look for tools that are multipurpose. However, beware of all-in-one solutions—gadgets that have been designed do a lot of things don't seem to do any of them particularly well. Here are ten items you should always keep on hand, just in case.

Start with a good 3/8 inch socket set (metric or standard, ideally both), extender bars, channel lock pliers, screwdrivers, a breaker bar, vice grips, and last but not least, a BFH, otherwise known as a big f*&!ing hammer.

Whether you are helping a fellow off-roader out or you're the one that's stuck, a heavy duty tow strap is invaluable. In a pinch, paracord *might* work, but why unravel that attractive fashion accessory you've grown to love?

A broken belt or split hose will leave you stranded by wreaking havoc on your cooling or vacuum system. The old women's nylons-as-fan-belt trick could work (though why would anyone have a pair of nylons on an off road expedition, anyway?), but you don't want to relay on "could". Find out what type of belts your vehicle takes—usually a larger serpentine, and possibly a smaller, additional one. If your current belt has some miles on it, replace it with a new one and save the older belt as a spare. It's not practical to carry a spare of every hose, marine-grade silicone tape (there are several brands) will temporary stop, or at least slow down, the leak.

If you've gone through the trouble of lifting your vehicle, the jack that came with the car won't work. There's no way you're changing that 31-inch tire with a puny OEM jack. You'll need a strong aftermarket jack that is tall enough for the actual height of your car.

When your wheels start to spin but before you've dug in too deep, use traction mats to get a grip. You can slide them under the wheel, giving you the stable surface to roll out of a jam.

A relatively new product, these little power bricks pack a serious punch. Most have a USB and can not only bring your car battery back to life, but also your phone—just make sure to keep it charged. It's also not a bad idea to carry a pair of conventional jumper cables as well, just in case.

An assortment of bungee cords, straps and zip ties are handy for securing luggage or gear to your roof rack. More importantly, they can be indispensable in holding your vehicle together if you've broken a crucial clip or bracket out on the trail (if you can untangle them, that is).

If you're going way, way off-the-grid, don't rely solely on your smart phone. A satellite phone might not be the sexiest device in the world and it won't let you check your Instagram, but it will allow you to call for help.

In the event of an emergency, even a basic first aid kit can be a lifesaver. In addition to the usual assortment of bandages rubbing alcohol and antibacterial ointment, also include a couple thermal foil blankets and a supply of drinking water.

It's a bad idea to rely on your vehicle as a generator, as it can waste gas and/or drain your battery. However, when needed, an AC/DC inverter will let you power up your 110v items like a laptop, camera charger or radio.

Rolling over extremely varied terrain will require you to adjust the air pressure in your tires. Some trails will have air stations for travelers to fill up or let out air as needed. Although they're not terribly fast, a small compressor isn't a bad idea, and you can also use it to blow up an air mattress. Also, don't forget to invest in a quality, metal air pressure gauge — it's not that expensive and definitely not worth skimping on.

All cars and trucks sold after January 1, 1996 were required to have an OBD II (on board diagnostic) port. If you have an engine warning light on, an OBD scanner or interface will let you access the exact fault code. An inexpensive wifi, Bluetooth, or USB interface, paired with an app on your smartphone or computer, can tell you if that light on your dashboard is something simple or complete catastrophe. It won't help you fix it, but at least point you in the right direction.