Another vehicle in my opinion is a must. As others said tell someone where you are going and when you should be expected back.

A 12v air compressor is a good idea IF you will be airing down on the trails, but a good idea to have anyway...you can get one cheap from a local parts store.

A winch is not necessary. As someone else said before, get a RECOVERY strap, not a TOW strap with the metal hooks. Recovery straps generally have twice the breaking strength of tow straps.

If you have a good amount of recovery straps you do not need a winch....just a good come-a-long....rated at least twice the tonnage of your vehicle, about 8'000 pounds (4 tons).

And a first aid kit is a good idea.


Good luck and have fun, and post some pics! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Bob, Fred, and Brown. It is good advice to go with another vehicle, I know I know. I appreciate the tip about United Four Wheel Drive Associations - I tried to contact two local clubs here that I found on the web but they never replied. Another one I contacted is really too far (Virginia). If I can get into a good club, I will, and now I have a better place to start. The specifics on the air compressor help, too.
Fred, it's funny, it is my first inclination is to off-road alone, even though it is not a great idea, because I just like doing some things alone (riding my horse in the woods when I had one growing up, running in the woods and on roads now). So I will definitely be dealing with that. Right now, my common sense overrides because I am a rank amateur and I know it, but later it may be harder.
I have a recovery strap, but just one. It is 30' long. Should I take more than one? The other thing I plan to take, besides the first aid kit (and bungee cords to tie everything down so I don't get hit in the head when I roll over (!) - thanks, Big Jim) is my hand-crank radio. I doubt I will need it but it makes me feel prepared for anything. Oh yeah, and the camera.

One 30-ft strap should be fine. Just remember, once you get one end of it hooked up to your stuck jeep, you are NOT capable of getting your Jeep unstuck by pulling on the other end, no matter how mean you are! (g) Gotta have another vehicle to hook the loose end to! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

How did you know I'm mean? "Mean" has been the first part of my nickname since I was 20. It's pretty funny, I am actually a very nice person (so the nickname is ridiculous) but for some reason it stuck.
So, one recovery strap it is.

Guessing, mean Jean? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Wrangirl, on another thread we were talking about recovery tow straps and D-rings. Dumb question considering your background, but you do have at least one tow hook or D-ring on the front and rear of your TJ to hook your tow strap, right? How soon before your trail ride?

I was using the term "mean" like they use it around here, which means "tough". As in, "Ya gotta be tough to pull out a stuck Jeep by hand!" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

It's not Mean Jean. And I did not know the other mean meaning. I guess I am the first meaning, but as I said, it is not true.
I have two tow hooks on the front bumper, the type that point upwards. On the back bumper, I have a lateral type hook, only one, on the left side. It is sort of a backwards D shape, but it is not completely closed. They came with the Jeep. To me, these hooks seem to be quite nice - years ago, we rigged everything from what we had available, what we had lying around. (I would not do that now, of course. Safety first.) The trip is in four days, but it won't be anything spectacular, at least not spectacular by the standards of everyone on this site. Just a little ride in the woods to get the hang of things.

Howdy dudette It is a guy thing... using the word "mean" is a slang way of saying to do all you've got. Getting "mean" with something is giving it every ounce of muscle you have..
And if your vehicle is stuck in the mud you can be as mean as you want...when you are done you will still be stuck in the mud.. get it now?
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I disagree with the ONE recovery strap. At least take a tree saver strap, or another shorter strap. If you are by yourself, 30' of strap will probably not be enough.

On the other hand a 30' strap will be just fine if wheeling with someone else.

Let's see some pics after your outing! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

How is having more than one strap going to help if she's by herself, without a winch, Hi-Lift, or other recovery tool?