For most people, the great attraction of Overlanding is the resourcefulness that it requires, the ability to be self-sufficient, and make it across a large stretch of usually unpopulated terrain. This is a challenge not too often posed in modern life, and it serves as one of the major thrills about Overlanding. When you manage to pull it off, the sense of satisfaction is a palpable one. This is one of the reasons why packing and preparing is a major part of the discipline of Overlanding.
This self-sufficiency includes the ability to fix your vehicle should it break down. If it does break down while Overlanding, your chances of having professional help nearby are certainly slim. Accordingly, this becomes an essential Overlanding skill, with preparing a suitable Overlanding toolkit to bring with you another.
What is Overlanding?
To appreciate the need for such equipment though, it is best to explain exactly what Overlanding entails. There is one essential aspect that defines all forms of Overlanding – it is about the journey and not the destination. With Overlanding, this is no cliché; the discipline involves taking offroad-friendly vehicles across vast tracks of land, surviving as you go, and typically staying on (or off) the road for weeks, or even months.
It is no surprise then that you need a rather capable vehicle, and you need to bring a lot of stuff with you. The extent of this cargo can be significant, and so it needs to be loaded correctly. Investing in things like roof racks and cam lock straps makes a lot of sense for Overlanding. Rollercam, a company offering all types of tie-down straps, says that almost as much of its business goes towards overlanders and others engaging in outdoor pursuits as it does towards traditional cargo transport industries. You can only survive for weeks on the road if you have brought with you everything you need – including repair equipment.
How to Pack a Toolkit
Just like everything else, packing a toolkit for Overlanding is something that will take preparation. You should consider what type of terrain you will be traveling over. In many cases though, the tools needed for breakdowns are broadly the same. You are likely to cover many different types of terrain over a typical Overlanding trip anyway.
So, what should you pack? Bearing in mind that the first consideration should be that you have a designated part of your vehicle for storing all of this, the first thing to consider is the mechanical tools you will need.
Mechanical Tools
Think traditional breakdown gear, and then a whole load of other things to pick up the slack from the breakdown services you are unlikely to have access to while Overlanding. Overlanding toolkits will contain the usual mechanical tools – a set of combination wrenches, a breaking bar, and a set of pliers – but there’s also more advanced equipment you should take. This includes a whole series of ratchets and sockets, a hacksaw, an Allen wrench, and a grease gun. You will need a big toolbox for these too.
Electrical Equipment
Overlanding has been much aided by electronic equipment such as GPS and the like. Such equipment should also be represented within the Overlanding breakdown tools. Again, the usual stuff like a multimeter and a wire stripper/clipper should be there, but so too will be electronic engine diagnostic devices and spare vehicle fuses.
Ultimately, the goal is to require nothing that you cannot provide yourself. Ensuring this is the case is how to succeed at Overlanding, but also the best way to stay safe when roving over the most extreme driving terrain.
