Vincent
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2024
- Messages
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- Rivian
- R1T
I have been meaning to share some of my experience and the gear I use. I have been overlanding since the late 90s starting in Australia. The rigs I use and saw in the Outback influenced the approach to building my own rigs, importing an ARB Simpson RTT from Australia before they were available in the States.
There are some basics to keep in mind and then build from there. This article will cover basic preparation, recovery and communications gear. Earlier this year, I finished a 2000+ mile road trip in the R1T with sections being in the remote deserts of Arizona and Utah (including Moab). So what is my basic loadout?
Above you will find my Outdoor Grab and Go loadout - including an InReach Satcom Messenger, Garmin Rino 755t Mapping and two-way GMRS unit, and Cobra Marine CB handheld Radio. So add in my mobile phone and I have a full compliment of communication options, including goTenna units that allow my wife and I to text and track location through our mobile phones when we do not have mobile service.
Other items in the bag above:
-Rubber Ski Straps
- Analog Compass with Mirror
- MSR TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter
- SOL Emergency Bivvy
-Pair of Ski Goggles (for windy/sandy/dusty conditions)
- Lens Cleaners and Dude Wipes
- Windproof Lighter, Paracord, Headlamp with extra batteries and Multitool/Knife
The nice thing about an Outdoor Grab and Go Bag is I can easily grab and take everything with me when away from the vehicle so I can remain mobile but with the advantage of the above kit always being with me.
Recovery gear wise I am starting with the above for the Rivian. I have dual winches front and back on my other Rig and found once I started to use traction/recovery plates/boards I typically only used my winches when I was recovering someone else that had gotten themselves really stuck. Tread lightly and the chances of not being able to get out with traction plates and a kinetic recovery rope are slim.
- I carry 4 traction plates, specifically I use TREDs that are now owned by ARB. I love their Generation 2 design with the rubber molded inserts on the board as they give amazing grab with the rubber on tires for extra bite. I also use them for bridging gaps. As a note the Rivian's weight requires to double or triple them up if you are using them for gap bridging.
- Soft Shackles - after being introduced a number of years ago to soft shackles I will not go back to Steel D-Ring Shackles. - This are safer, lighter, and do not rust closed when you need to use them you do not have to worry about if they will open or not! Also Carry at least 2 - one for the recovery vehicle end and the other for the stuck vehicle to attached the Recovery Rope.
- ARB Kinetic Recovery Rope - I have used Bubba Ropes also with great results. These are not tow ropes (I have a tow rope in the Red Bag shown) a Kinetic Recovery Rope has stretch that will recoil when you pull to give a jerk to the stuck vehicle to pop it forward or backwards depending on the direction you are going.
- ARB Deflator - make deflating to the correct pressure a breeze
- Umbrella - it is nice to have someone hold an umbrella over you in the pouring rain while you are hooking everything up or placing traction boards/plates as it makes the job easier... personal experience.
- Leather and/or Mechanix Gloves - protect your hands as you need them to do recovery off road. I always carry extra.
- Receiver Recover Link - I use a blue Factor 55, with the Rivian you do not have recovery points on the rear so this is needed for a rear recovery or if you are pulling someone else.
-Blanket - I carry a blanket or poncho that I can put down on the ground to limit how dusty or muddy I get while doing the work. When you are on a long offroad trip keep the cabin and yourself as clean as possible makes everything more pleasurable.
- Also you should have your Full Size Spare, tire plug kit and Jack kit - I have used Hi-Lift jacks (you can easily injure yourself even when experienced) and switched to an ARB the JACK a few years ago so my wife can safely use it as she is short and Hi-Lift jacks are not. For now I am not carrying the Jack as Rivian does not have approved jack points for it (need rock rails) and instead I carry a bottle jack.
- Also the best is to have two or more vehicles in a group and try to never go overlanding by yourself - things happen and other people can help only if they are there.
I keep all of the shown goodies for recovery under the rear seat. Keeps them dry and easy to access (minus traction plates, the Full Size Spare and Jack Kit).
For now the traction plates are in the front of the bed (they also fit in the gear tunnel) and I will be finding another location once my Skycamp Mini 3.0 RTT and Crossbars are installed. Shown is every Overlander's friend. A YETI Tundra 65 Cooler and a 37 Quart ARB Refrigerator.
As with everything, after each trip I will be evolving the load out, and each person is individual so get the basics and go from there. More than anything is being prepared, but go and get out on your Adventures!
There are some basics to keep in mind and then build from there. This article will cover basic preparation, recovery and communications gear. Earlier this year, I finished a 2000+ mile road trip in the R1T with sections being in the remote deserts of Arizona and Utah (including Moab). So what is my basic loadout?
Above you will find my Outdoor Grab and Go loadout - including an InReach Satcom Messenger, Garmin Rino 755t Mapping and two-way GMRS unit, and Cobra Marine CB handheld Radio. So add in my mobile phone and I have a full compliment of communication options, including goTenna units that allow my wife and I to text and track location through our mobile phones when we do not have mobile service.
Other items in the bag above:
-Rubber Ski Straps
- Analog Compass with Mirror
- MSR TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter
- SOL Emergency Bivvy
-Pair of Ski Goggles (for windy/sandy/dusty conditions)
- Lens Cleaners and Dude Wipes
- Windproof Lighter, Paracord, Headlamp with extra batteries and Multitool/Knife
The nice thing about an Outdoor Grab and Go Bag is I can easily grab and take everything with me when away from the vehicle so I can remain mobile but with the advantage of the above kit always being with me.
Recovery gear wise I am starting with the above for the Rivian. I have dual winches front and back on my other Rig and found once I started to use traction/recovery plates/boards I typically only used my winches when I was recovering someone else that had gotten themselves really stuck. Tread lightly and the chances of not being able to get out with traction plates and a kinetic recovery rope are slim.
- I carry 4 traction plates, specifically I use TREDs that are now owned by ARB. I love their Generation 2 design with the rubber molded inserts on the board as they give amazing grab with the rubber on tires for extra bite. I also use them for bridging gaps. As a note the Rivian's weight requires to double or triple them up if you are using them for gap bridging.
- Soft Shackles - after being introduced a number of years ago to soft shackles I will not go back to Steel D-Ring Shackles. - This are safer, lighter, and do not rust closed when you need to use them you do not have to worry about if they will open or not! Also Carry at least 2 - one for the recovery vehicle end and the other for the stuck vehicle to attached the Recovery Rope.
- ARB Kinetic Recovery Rope - I have used Bubba Ropes also with great results. These are not tow ropes (I have a tow rope in the Red Bag shown) a Kinetic Recovery Rope has stretch that will recoil when you pull to give a jerk to the stuck vehicle to pop it forward or backwards depending on the direction you are going.
- ARB Deflator - make deflating to the correct pressure a breeze
- Umbrella - it is nice to have someone hold an umbrella over you in the pouring rain while you are hooking everything up or placing traction boards/plates as it makes the job easier... personal experience.
- Leather and/or Mechanix Gloves - protect your hands as you need them to do recovery off road. I always carry extra.
- Receiver Recover Link - I use a blue Factor 55, with the Rivian you do not have recovery points on the rear so this is needed for a rear recovery or if you are pulling someone else.
-Blanket - I carry a blanket or poncho that I can put down on the ground to limit how dusty or muddy I get while doing the work. When you are on a long offroad trip keep the cabin and yourself as clean as possible makes everything more pleasurable.
- Also you should have your Full Size Spare, tire plug kit and Jack kit - I have used Hi-Lift jacks (you can easily injure yourself even when experienced) and switched to an ARB the JACK a few years ago so my wife can safely use it as she is short and Hi-Lift jacks are not. For now I am not carrying the Jack as Rivian does not have approved jack points for it (need rock rails) and instead I carry a bottle jack.
- Also the best is to have two or more vehicles in a group and try to never go overlanding by yourself - things happen and other people can help only if they are there.
I keep all of the shown goodies for recovery under the rear seat. Keeps them dry and easy to access (minus traction plates, the Full Size Spare and Jack Kit).
For now the traction plates are in the front of the bed (they also fit in the gear tunnel) and I will be finding another location once my Skycamp Mini 3.0 RTT and Crossbars are installed. Shown is every Overlander's friend. A YETI Tundra 65 Cooler and a 37 Quart ARB Refrigerator.
As with everything, after each trip I will be evolving the load out, and each person is individual so get the basics and go from there. More than anything is being prepared, but go and get out on your Adventures!
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