Using the boot space in the tyre well

[Arctra]

Hi guys.

So I've done a bit off off-roading with the Tig, and learned along the way that I needed more precautionary equipment to improve my chances of recovery if I do something silly. I also tend to camp when I go off-roading, and there's come camping extra's I'd like to always have with me. The problem is, the Tigs boot space is a little limited, so I didn't really want to give any up to stuff I may (hopefully) never use.

Anyway, long story short, this is what I've managed to do with the limited space around the space saver wheel:


In the middle of the space saver I've put:

• a tarp (think it's 7mx6m) - for shade, ground sheet, sand or mud recovery if desperate, etc.
• a couple of elastic bungee cords - always useful I've found
• leather gloves - protect my precious office hands
• wheel spanner - much better than those useless ones that come in the tool kit
• nylon strap - just had it so thought it could be useful at some stage.

In the close edge I've put (left to right):

• wheel sockets - coz sometimes it's someone else's wheel that needs changing
• kayak tie-downs - for when carrying the kayak, but also generally useful for strapping stuff.

On the left side of the wheel I've put (top to bottom):

• can of tyre weld - pretty handy for small punctures
• tubeless tyre repair kit - for the bigger punctures
• foot pump - I would have loved to get an electric one, but size and price limited me. Plus, you can always count on manual pumping power without worrying about the little pump overheating and failing
• 1m long wheel socket bar (under footpump) - useful for leveraging off those horribly overtightened wheel nuts from tyre repair shops that don't use a torque wrench to tighten the nuts, but instead try to strip the threads when tightening them (yes, sore point! I have arguments with idiots all the time about this)

To the right of the wheel I've put (top to bottom):

• jumper leads - having been caught out by a flat battery once, I will not be a victim again!
• nylon kayak stern rope - again, usually for securing the nose of the kayak to the front bumper, but useful for other stuff too
• 1l engine oil - common sense to have this really
• 2 x 4m heavy duty nylon ropes with hooks and red flags - good for pulling stuff out of your way, and if desperate, other vehicles
• toilet roll - again, common sense thing to have, especially if you've ever been caught short in the bush!
• a few elastic bungee cords
• 2 x ratcheted tie-downs - at this point you're probably wondering what more I want to tie to the roof!
• 10 ton rated kinetic/snatch recovery strap with heavy duty hardened steel bow shackles - for sand and mud recovery.
• small collapsible shovel/pick (sits on top of snatch strap but you can see it propping up the boot cover in the pics above) - for sand and mud recovery too. Also generally useful when camping I've found.

Then in the right hand side pod of the boot I've got another can of tyre weld, diesel smoke killer, first aid kit, and some more bungee straps.

So, what am I missing? The only think I can think of is a fire extinguisher and some form of bog-recovery (mats, planks, or maxtrax type things that are flat and will not rob me of space. I'd also quite like to get another screw in recovery eye so that I can fit one both at the front and back of the Tig before going adventuring. Any idea where I can get one and how much?

Any suggestions, tips, or general comments are welcome.

[pistnbroke]

Unless I missed it...

LED Torch ?, small & long battery life....

[Transporter]

Foldable saw, Sellyes Kneed It (two pack epoxy for emergency repairs of fuel tank and the radiator), Clamp It tool, a large polyethylene sheet, a box matches, stainless steel wire.

Tyre gauge 0-20PSI. (to set the tyre pressure to 16PSI for driving in the sand)

I'm sure that there are other things you might need for emergency repairs and recovery a good toolkit that includes torx and spline drive sockets is a must.

edit: Also many years ago at 4X4 show I bought this little gadget it's called TheHitchMaster

[Arctra]

Thanks for your additional suggestions Miro and pistnbroke. From your suggestions I have gone out and added:
- small axe – nice range to choose from at Bunnings and it fits in the boot nicely.
- tyre gauge – I did actually have one of these in the glove box already. When I change my tyres I intend getting an in valve TPMS which will negate the need for this, but it’s useful in the mean time. TPMS will also mean I can’t use tyre weld anymore too unfortunately.
- LED Light and LED Head lamp – great suggestion.
- Gerber Multitool with knife etc – again, I already had one in the glove box.
- Selly’s Kneed It
- Epoxy resin

I’m debating your following suggestions:
- 12V Air compressor with the 6.5m tyre inflating hose (it could be fitted in the engine bay or under the seat)- a cheap one will not last and can fail in hot conditions and the foot pump will not reseal the bead on a completely flat tyre.
- Staun valve(s) set to 16 PSI to quickly deflate tyres (sold in set of 4 but I found out that 1 is enough - 4 people can buy one kit and share the cost - around $50)
- Fire extinguisher (under the passenger seat)
- Hydraulic jack or better still the air jack (might be too big)
- A Spanner and Socket set (inc.Torx and Spline sockets), a small fishing kit,
- Rubber self vulcanizing tape
- fuses
- The Hitch Master
- Stainless steel wire
- A hand cleaner (or bar of Solvol)

Things you suggested that I think are over the top for what I intend to do:
- Jerry cans of fuel
- Clamp It tool
- spare engine belt

Your suggestion of the Big Red or Blue Tang compressor is good, but they are too big for the Tig. No be honest, something between a cheap and nasty supercheap auto compressor and the Big red would be nice, especially if it will fit under the passenger seat. Until then, the foot pump will have to do.

As for the clamp it tool and steel wire, if I do enough damage to need to use those, then I will want a proper mechanic to come out and sort it out for me. I doubt I’ll do enough rough stuff to need one. Pretty much same goes for the engine fan belt. I’m not sure where I’d start with trying to fix it.

Can you tell me more about this rubber self vulcanising tape and how I would use it?

[Kyeema]

Seriously wondering where you are planning to go with all that stuff?

[duncan]

Vulcanising tape is really usefull for fixing leaks in hoses, fuel lines, etc.

Its not sticky but as you apply it to the part that needs fixing, you stretch it and it adheres to itself. You need to cut it off when finished. Will take quite a bit of pressure.

Ground pepper is good for sealing a holed/weeping radiator.

Carry spare oil/coolant as well.

If you're travelling as a group you can split the load across the cars, but carry at least enough engine oil to refill an engine shjould you knock a sump plug out.

Or fit a bit steel plate under the sump

Cheers
Duncan

[Transporter]

Can you tell me more about this rubber self vulcanising tape and how I would use it

You can also make an O ring with it, it is oil, fuel and coolant reisistant.

Your suggestion of the Big Red or Blue Tang compressor is good, but they are too big for the Tig. No be honest, something between a cheap and nasty supercheap auto compressor and the Big red would be nice, especially if it will fit under the passenger seat.

Motortraders has this month on special Projecta Typhoon Air compressor 150psi for $140+GST. It is twin cylinder 150L/min I used 2 years ago identical air compressor but different brand it in my Mobile Mechanical business and topped up on average 12 tyres per day, it took me 3 years to kill it. I replaced it with the Blue Tongue Twin that failed within a year and was replaced under the warranty with the brand new one.

Currently I'm using Big Red (cost me $350 a year ago in the box with nice hose with fittings), also have Blue Tongue single (100% duty cycle good up to 50 psi) that is noticably slower than Big Red (duty cycle 40% good above 50psi build in check valve and completely sealed).

I prefer Big Red; it is much quieter than Blue Tongue and only little bit slower than Twin Blue Tongue.

[Arctra]

Seriously wondering where you are planning to go with all that stuff?

To be honest with you mate, I hope to not have to use most of this kit. I've been caught with my perverbial pants down before though, and don't want to be in that position again. It's all transferable too, so when I do finally get a proper 4x4 (which is my intention) I will be able to simply move it across.

Thanks Duncan and Miro for the info on self vulcanising tape. I think it's another one of those things that I will hold off on for the moment. If I ever need it, I will need more than that alone to get me out of trouble and will probably need to call someone knowledgeable to come in and rescue me.

A steel plate under the sump is a serious consideration. You don't just need it for offroading with the amount of junk you find on the roads these days. I still intend getting under the Tig properly at some stage to see what sort of plate I'll need and how practical it'll be.

With the compressor, I'll look into it Miro. Thanks again for the advice.

[duncan]

The other thing you can use the tarp for is as a radiator blind when fording rivers/deep puddles. THe Tig's official wading depth is 200mm which is nothing really - a Freelander's is 500mm and a Land cruiser is 750mm. A tarp prevents water entering the engine bay. Primarily to stop water entering the air intake, bye, bye engine, and to stop the fan corkscrewing through the radiator.

Even if you have no intention of fording deep stuff, even proper road causeways can be deeper than 200mm, so a couple of minutes with a tarp and some straps can be worthwhile.

And never scream though deep puddles. Its fun, but it causes all sorts of issues. Slow and steady.

Cheers
Duncan

[jimbomort]

Arctra haven't reviewed your list in detail, so excuse me if I have missed, but couldn't see:

- silver/black cloth tape (very strong and handy for heaps of quick repairs, especially when camping and compact)
- some hose/spare tube - not suggesting any particular size, but its amazing how many uses you can find for a bit of tubing
- silicon sealant - may be handy
- spare fuses (you probably have these somewhere else, but good to have if you haven't - a pack only costs a few $)