Making Repairs On the Trail

There is nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no tools.

- As off-road enthusiasts, most of us enjoy modifying our vehicles to make them perform better. We will often do vehicle maintenance as well, even though it is a less-exciting aspect of working on our rigs. We typically prefer to do wrenching at home, usually on a clean garage floor at a temperature that is comfortable for us. What we would rather not do is lay on our backs doing repairs on a cold, muddy trail in the middle of nowhere with a less-than-adequate set of tools and spare parts. However, if you venture out onto into the backcountry, sooner or later you’ll likely have to deal with a fix-it situation. Three things can help get you moving again: tools, spare parts, and ingenuity. Obviously, if your vehicle is completely immobilized such that no manner of effort can make progress, you may be left to catch a ride or hike out, returning later with the supplies needed to rescue the vehicle or make repairs. If the problem is minor or can be repaired with a few spare parts on hand, then you’ll probably be on your way in no time with minimal fuss. It is a good idea to carry at least a basic set of tools when traveling out of close proximity to a repair shop or tow truck. If possible, a separate tool kit specifically devoted to your vehicle is a good way to go. That way, it’s always with the vehicle wherever you go, and if you resist borrowing tools from it, you know it will always be complete and ready for use. Having it on board at all times also means it’s available should you need it on the road, at a friend’s house, or should you be scouring a junkyard looking for parts.

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