Are you an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves to spend all their free time off-roading in the woods? Whether you’re an expert four-wheeler or just a beginner, it’s wise to make a list of the equipment and gear you will need before you head out into the backwoods. These items aren’t just luxuries, either—they’re necessities. Four-wheeling is an adrenaline rush and a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous. Even the most seasoned four-wheelers can get stuck, lost, stranded, or even flip their 4×4. If you’re ever in those scary situations, having the right gear in your vehicle could save your life or, at the very least, get you out of a dire situation. Though you might think that basic camping gear might be enough, if the unexpected does happen, there’s a good chance you’re going to need more than just a sleeping bag and backpack to get your way out.

Where to Find High-Quality Offroading Equipment

Purchasing high-quality 4×4 equipment is an investment. It might cost a little bit now, but it saves you money in the future and gives you peace of mind and the tools you need to get out of any situation. It’s essential to find the best quality equipment possible. One of the best online retailers for offroading gear is OffroadPowerProducts.com. They have a massive selection of gear, necessities, aftermarket parts, and virtually anything and everything you could need for four-wheeling. No matter what kind of camping, four-wheeling, or power sports equipment you need, Offroad Power Products has it all. Their website is also super simple. All you have to do is put in the year, make, and model of your car, truck, 4×4, ATV, or UTV, and you can check out all their available products. Here are six of the top essentials everybody should have when they go four-wheeling.

1. Complete Recovery Kit

One vital piece of gear to have whenever you go out with your 4×4 is a complete recovery kit. The gear included in a recovery kit can help you get unstuck from mud, help you get your vehicle upright again if you flip, and gives you peace of mind for your entire expedition. These kits typically include:

• Recovery ropes
• Utility ropes
• Tree straps
• Snatch blocks
• Winch extension line
• Anchor shackles
• Soft shackles
• Tire deflator
• Cable/strap dampener

Those items can be invaluable when you find yourself thinking you can make it through that mud puddle or up that giant hill, and then, suddenly, you’re stuck. A recovery kit (and a good winch!) lets you avoid getting stuck for hours or going through your entire contact list looking for that one friend that could get you out. Instead, having a recovery kit makes you prepared for any eventuality, and it saves you a lot of money compared to buying all those items separately.

2. Ample Vehicle Storage

Another essential part of going offroading is ensuring you have enough space for all your gear. Nobody likes going out in the woods with piles of bags on their lap because there’s not enough room in the bed or back seat. However, with some clever and innovative storage, you can have more than enough space for all your offroading gear and then some. There are some pretty neat options available for trucks that fit right in the bed and have drawers and compartments. You can also go with the conventional roof racks or a hard-shell storage bag that will be durable and sturdy while still providing room for all the important equipment you need.

3. Rooftop Tent

If you plan on going four-wheeling for longer than just a day trip, you have to get a rooftop tent. They are lightweight and can easily mount to any roof rack. However, it’s a wise idea to invest in an aftermarket set of roof racks for extra durability. Rooftop tents are one of the best things to have when you’re camping. They keep you sleeping above ground, are safe and secure, and they’re weatherproof, which is a huge boon when you get stuck in an unexpected rainstorm. You can also purchase available annexes or other living compartments for a rooftop tent, and they’re easily accessible via a ladder that drops down. If you’re worried about installing them, don’t be. Some can pop up into place in under a minute.

4. Exceptional Quality Winch

This item goes hand-in-hand with your recovery kit. Though you may think that straps are enough, if you ever happen to get stuck or even flipped in a bad position, straps may be extremely difficult to use or even useless. A winch provides controlled, slow movement, allowing your 4×4 to get back up safely and securely on its feet or out of the mire. Though winches are expensive, they are worth the investment, especially if you frequently get stuck when you go out four-wheeling. Winches can also be used for pulling, although if you have the budget for it, it’s better to have two winches: a fancy one on your 4×4 and a cheaper one designated for pulling.

5. Air Compressor

If you’ve ever needed more traction in a pinch, you know that the simplest way is by reducing the air pressure in your tires. This is why an air compressor is necessary. After you drop the tire pressure to get through a sticky situation, you have to increase the pressure again to drive on normal roads. If you have standard equipment, you can drop your tire pressure to as low as 8 PSI if you’re going to be in the mud, snow, or even on a beach in really soft sand, which can be particularly challenging to drive through. When you’re shopping for an air compressor, try to find one that clips right onto your vehicle’s battery instead of through the cigarette lighter. That way, there’s less of a chance of a fuse blowing out.

6. Navigation

Though most newer vehicles come with standard navigation, getting a good GPS is essential if your beloved 4×4 is more than a few years old. Buying a GPS is an investment, but you can find a reasonably good one pretty cheap these days, so it should be a priority to get one if you plan to take long or complicated excursions, or you love going out into the wilds where there are no main roads anywhere nearby.

Here’s a tip: get a good GPS, and then purchase the offroad navigation maps that don’t typically come standard with the GPS unit itself. With the offroad or geographical maps and a great navigation system, there’s no such thing as “getting lost” because you always know exactly where you are. It’s also much easier to plan a trip and stick to it when you have GPS because you can lay out the entire route ahead of time or easily look at any alternate routes to make your trip even more fun.

Get the Essentials Before Your Next 4×4 Trip

Whether you’re a novice or an expert 4×4 enthusiast, having those six items when you take your next trip is essential. When you’re out on the back roads in the wilderness, anything can happen—you can get stuck, flip over, get lost, or even stranded. And, if you’re really going into the woods, there’s never any cell service. With items like a good winch, a recovery kit, and a high-end GPS, you will never have to get lost or stranded again. That’s why it’s so crucial to have a checklist of all your necessary items before you head out so you have peace of mind and a genuinely enjoyable trip.