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10 Off Road Accessories Every Camper Needs

offroad 4x4 vehicle - feature image for off road accessories

The 10 Best Off Road Accessories For Campers

If you want to travel off road, you need to prepare your vehicle. Off-roading can be a lot of fun because it allows you to explore away from the beaten path. This hobby can be risky though, so you should always take precautions and bring emergency equipment with you. There are a few essential off road accessories that can help you have a safer adventure.

Although it’s fun to go off-roading, this practice comes with risks like bumpy roads, poor traction, and additional road hazards. It’s easy to get stuck or damage your vehicle if you’re not careful. The dangers are heightened even further if you tow something behind you. It’s usually best to leave your RV at the campsite before you strike out on your own, but sometimes you might need to bring the trailer over some rough terrain.

Below, we have 10 off road accessories that will help you have a safe and fun excursion. Some of these work for tow vehicles, while others are for RVs. All of them can be useful additions to your toolkit, so make sure you have these items before you veer onto the road less traveled!

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1. Off Road Tires

First things first, you need a good set of off road tires. Your tires will give you the grip and traction that you need to climb steep hills and travel over rough terrain. Although standard tires might work for a little while, they can easily become worn out and damaged if you put too much strain on them.

Invest in a good set of off road tires for any vehicles you plan to take on adventures. Tire chains and studs can be useful as well, but only use them when you need them. Your tow vehicle should definitely have a set of hardy tires, but remember to prep your RV or trailer as well. These are heavy pieces of equipment that need strong tires to keep up with you.

Don’t forget to bring a couple of spares too. You never know when a blowout might stop you in your tracks, so it’s smart to plan ahead.

2. Wheel Chocks

If you like to travel and camp off-road, you’ll probably find yourself staying in rugged campsites. This is great, but the ground isn’t always level. This can cause problems, especially if you’re staying in a large and heavy vehicle like an RV. These tend to follow the natural slope, so they might start to roll if they’re not properly secured.

A good set of wheel chocks can prevent your vehicle from moving while it’s parked. These MAXXHAUL 70472 Solid Rubber Wheel Chocks are perfect for boondockers and anyone in an unleveled campsite. Just slide them against the base of the wheel. Your car or RV will stay put once these chocks are in place.

3. Safety Chains

Towing a vehicle is always a risky business. You need to make sure you’re taking every safety precaution so that nothing breaks once you’re on the road. This is even more important when you’re traveling over rough trails. If you’re towing something and the hitch fails, you could easily flip or get dragged off course.

Safety chains ensure that your camper stays firmly connected to your RV. They also prevent everything from swinging outward when you make wide turns. You should choose chains that match your camper’s weight, but this Tow Ready Class III Safety Chain from 4WheelParts is a good all-around option.

4. Weight Distribution Hitch

Speaking of towing, let’s talk about hitches. A lot of tow vehicles have a standard ball hitch attached to the rear bumper, but you need a good hitch to connect your car and RV. A weight distribution hitch is usually the best option, especially if you plan on going off road.

This type of hitch ensures that weight is transferred evenly across the wheels of the tow vehicle. Standard hitches can cause the rear of the vehicle to carry the most weight, which can strand you when you travel over rugged terrain. It also makes it harder for the front tires to get a grip. Therefore, a good hitch is one of the most important off road accessories you could buy.

You should do some research to find the best hitch setup for your rig, but the Curt Manufacturing Weight Distributing Hitch Round Bar from 4WheelParts is a good place to start.

5. Trail Jacks

If you do get stuck when you’re exploring an off road trail, you need to have plenty of emergency equipment on hand. Sometimes it might take awhile for help to arrive, so it’s best to bring everything you need to get out of a tight spot. Trail jacks can help you when you need to change a tire or lift your vehicle up.

The Smittybilt 54″ Trail Jack from 4WD is excellent for lone vehicles that get stuck, but you’ll need something a lot stronger if you have an RV that needs to be lifted up. Leveling scissor jacks are the best way to elevate an RV.

6. Traction Pads

Sometimes you don’t need to lift the vehicle, but you do need to get it out of a sticky situation. Off-roading is fun, but there’s always a risk that you’ll get stuck in mud, sand, or snow. It’s hard for vehicles to get good traction on these surfaces, so you need good off road accessories like traction pads.

You just need to position these close to the tires and try to climb out. These pads give your tires something to grip onto. It makes a huge difference when your tires are spinning out and you’re getting nowhere. With just a few traction pads, you can get out and be on your merry way. Smittybilt All Element Ramps can help a lot.

7. Winch

If you get stuck and nothing else is working, your last resort is usually a winch. These can pull heavy vehicles out of tough situations. The best ones usually have strong steel cables and can operate at different speeds. After all, sometimes you need to slowly pull a vehicle out rather than yanking. The ability to control the winch speed helps you prevent vehicle damage.

One of the best options on the market is the Smittybilt XRC GEN2 9.5K Waterproof Winch. It’s powerful enough to pull out most commercial vehicles. If your RV is stuck, you might want to unhook it and pull out each vehicle separately. Off road accessories like this are extremely important because they will help you get out of trouble and back onto the road.

8. Tool Set

You never know what’s going to happen when you’re out on an adventure. Things can break down when you least expect, and it’s a good idea to keep a stash of tools on-hand. Whether it’s in your vehicle or your RV, a tool kit can help you fix a wide variety of problems.

The Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set is a compact tool kit that gives you everything you need to make basic repairs on the trail. With a bit of mechanical know-how, you can get back on the road in no time.

9. Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Maintaining good tire pressure will help your vehicle be more fuel efficient, prevent blowouts, and lengthen the lifespan of tires. It will also help improve your traction on the trail because tires that are too full or too empty won’t provide a good grip.

The EEZTire-TPMS Real Time/24×7 Tire Pressure Monitoring System is great for cars and RVs alike. Check in on it frequently so you can see how the tires are doing. It’s easy to make adjustments when you use off road accessories like this.

10. Rooftop Tent

Finally, we have an accessory that’s just for fun! Rooftop tents are becoming more and more popular with the off road crowd. They’re super easy to set up, and they give you a comfortable place to spend the night. You can either set one up on top of your main vehicle or your RV. It’s a great way to enjoy the camping experience without the hassle.

Great models include:

Get tips from other RVers

One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and more.

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