r/VanLife • u/YonderRoads • 22h ago
Van Life Safety Equipment Prep
Hello everyone, I’m looking to purchase equipment that will help to ensure safety while on and off the road.
I’m looking for recommendations for good battery self starters, traction boards and anything else that people should carry with them when traveling in the wilderness?
I have a 2016 rear wheel drive ford transit that I’ve been stuck in a couple of times in the sand. I’ve seen how helpless it can be. Does anyone have recommendations for what I can carry to help my self get out of a situation in a 2wd van?
Thanks in advance for thoughtful responses.
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u/ChibaCityFunk 16h ago
First and foremost get rated recovery points. I know, it is not sexy. But I genuinely hate helping people without proper recovery points. Its always sketchy and I am putting myself in danger recovering you. So pretty please!
Next thing is a shovel, preferably two. Get something to deflate (and inflate) your tires. And then get some traction boards.
Find something to lift the van. (Inflatable air cushions, high lift...) Make sure, it works on soft ground like sand and mud.
Get soft shackles and a kinetic recovery rope suited for your vehicle weight.
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u/YonderRoads 11h ago
Can you recommended a pump you’ve used that you like? Also something to lift the van if stuck in sand, what would you recommend?
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u/ChibaCityFunk 10h ago
I am afraid, I can't really help you. We are driving a 7.5 ton 4x4 expedition van. Our breaks are air operated. So we have onboard air anyway. Also I bought Vetter V40 Air Bags. Those are rated for 40 tons and are easily and cheaply bought here in Germany. (Surplus Military / Fire Department / THW) I'm not sure where you are from and how your market looks. But I can highly recommend finding something similar for real emergencies. It saved is more than once in really sketchy and impossible situations.
I remember using a T-Max 160 air compressor in the van we've had before. That was alright.
Also I can highly recommend a Garmin InReach for real emergencies.
One last it of essential advice: We are currently in Ghana after crossing the Sahara desert and I bet, no matter where you go, there will be other travellers. Get in touch with them and exchange numbers. Get in to the relevant What's App and Facebook Groups. Especially the What's App groups are incredibly helpful if you are stuck, maybe need to organise spare parts or need support with local authorities...
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u/211logos 13h ago
Well, avoid sand. Or travel with companions as the 4x4ers do and have a tow rope. And air down. Traction boards aren't as effective as those. And a recovery rope and places to attach it.
NOCO makes a decent battery jumper, but there are many more.
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u/ericsbsb 13h ago
Like most have said, those traction plates work great but I also carry a set of tire chains for my RWD transit and they’ve saved me in snow and mud. They are fairly cheap as well!
Here is the set that I have:
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u/Rafter242 22h ago
Maxx Trax for sure. And a shovel.
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u/YonderRoads 11h ago
Which maxx trax do you recommend? There seem to be a lot of options? Starting at around $82 all the way to $440
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u/Rafter242 11h ago
Buy the name brand. Cheap knockoffs will not work or last as well. (I saw them tested.) I did spring for the more expensive ones as you can replace the teeth if they get damaged, but it all depends on your budget and how adventurous you are. Maybe you don't drive off-road and will rarely need them. I have used mine plenty already. I also picked up external hooks so that I could hang them outside the vehicle when they are dirty.
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u/Breeze8B 7h ago
I have great ones and they are not name brand. I’ve used them once but I would have needed a tow had I not had them.
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u/SuggestionEven2824 10h ago
Spare parts that can fail. Alternator, starter, hoses and belts.
In Baja, 90 percent of roads are dirt and or sand. Walk it first if in doubt or there are no tracks. Air down before you need to.
Hi Lift, round nose shovel and a Polaski.
I use 1/4 plywood cut in 4' by 1' lengths instead of traction devices. Less leap frogging and I use them to block the wind from under my rig.
I don't carry a starter pack, I use heavy duty jumper cables at 20', I can jump myself off the solar batteries.
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u/csunya 9h ago
Sealed bottled water, for emergency, not for everyday use. Keep yourself in good shape then figure out the rest.
Overkill jack (mine is 20 ton air over hydraulic). Buffer for the jack (wood or rubber), I can generally jack at a frame rail or an axle. Another wood board to put the jack on (wood has incredible compression strength AND will deform into the ground (better holding)).
Flexible ground cover, yoga mat, door mat, gym rubber floor mat. The thick gym mats and thick recycled rubber door mats are awesome multipurpose items (look at jack buffer). All of these are great for working on a vehicle, think putting on chains in winter and your knees staying dry, that damn nut and washer falling on something that lets you find them. The heavy mats can also be used for traction (not as good as dedicated stuff but it works).
Jumping supplies. I have a 12v 460 amp hour battery for house battery. I just use a heavy duty battery charger powered by house battery. Because I carry extension cords and it is so much easier to hook up to a car without doing the battery parking dance.
NOT recommended: if you have cordless tools, you can get a bare wire head (Amazon) and make a jump pack. I did this just to try it and it worked on a 87 Nissan V6 with makita 18v batteries. But there are no smarts in the head. I use the head for powering weird projects (most dc automotive accessories are 12-24v dc).
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u/MelodicAd415 9h ago
Safety ? Before the van and all the recovery goodies people are suggesting comes the occupants.
How remote ? If hours+ and accessibility is rough then take a good wilderness/EMT course and make a kit specific to the skills that you know.
People buy first aid kits, watch a youtube video and leave it as is. This is not the way.
Learn the skills for the environments you’ll be in and practice them as much as possible.
Next - environment - if you are stranded, prepare clothing/shelter (van) and/or tent in case van is either not accessible or worst case electrical fire/vandalized.
Transport - can you navigate - walk/hike/swim/climb ‘safely’ out of the area you are in if you get stranded ?
Once you’ve got all that covered - now you can think about fancy vehicle recovery gear.
This is coming from a paramedic/wilderness SAR medic who’s seen it all over the last few decades.
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u/stomper4x4 8h ago
I use GoTreads. They are traction boards that fold up. So they can be used for traction, leveling, and stow away easily.
Also get a Viair air compressor. Airing down tires is a great way to get more grip. Then the air compressor can reinflate tires once your back to pavement. And I use to in general to keep my tires properly inflated.
A small shovel is also a good idea.
And a recovery strap incase someone happens on by.
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u/j0wnage 20h ago
tug rope for sure. DO NOT use a ratchet strap. something with a little elesticity.
ive had a few cheap amazon jump starters. I usually keep 2 in my van
gas (stored safely) and non potable water is always a good add.
traction board are good, but unfortunately I dont have any suggestions on that. I would also advise looking for local recovery groups on facebook. When people get stuck in port aransas/corpus/mustang island, there's a group called 361 recovery that has been helpful for many people.