What's your most commonly used tool on the trail?

After decades of "off-roading" I've found the Hi-Lift jack is easily the least used...

Most used:

SAW - by far and away, particularly early in the season

Recovery strap - so easy to just give a little tug...

Max Trax - the past year or so we/I started using these things and wow... They really make life simple...

I have a decent winch, but, some years it doesn't get used at all. The saw though... Those puppies are often in use!





Max Trax in action:


Winch and saw used here:


This is up in the Pacific Northwest, where trees abound, and often fall, blocking the way. When I used to wheel in the southern California desert, 25+ years ago, I'm not sure I ever used a saw except for cutting firewood...

Thanks!

 

I found that most small cross cut saws jammed up in wet wood. I bought a small lithium battery powered chain saw. It chews right through wood that had my hands bleeding before. Not as compact as a folding camp saw...but at least I can get to where I need to. I carry a short recovery strap. I used to carry a much longer higher load strap but the short one is more convenient. I also carry a military surplus folding shovel...great for digging out snow, piling small rocks as a ramp, making a rain trough around a tent, and burying you-know-what.

 

I've done a lot of solo wheeling, and for a while I didn't have a winch, so my hi-lift jack got a ton of use.
- Pick up the Jeep to stack rocks/logs under tire
- Winch out (very slowly, but it gets the job done)
- Straightening bent steering components
- Handle is great for turning a little ratchet into a huge breaker bar

Gloves for less-busted knuckles
A good size hammer is always useful

 

small sledge hammer and air compressor, not necessarily used together.

 

Gloves. Most used tool. I always have spares for the spares for the spares.

 

Thinking of either getting a winch line extender or a long tow strap. Which would you recommend and why?

 

I've carried a winch line extension for almost 10 years in different Jeeps and still have never taken it out of its protective bag. But have had and used multiple straps of various lengths.

 

I use my hammer more than anything else.......but that's because something is always broken

 

Air compressor and a plug kit.

 

Yup... this... I've plugged way more tires and then air them up for folks than I have used anything else in my kit.