4x4 Trail Tool Kit Essentials - Boonie Bag

When you're out on the trail and you experience a problem, your boonie bag instantly becomes your best friend. A well-equipped collection of tools, extraction equipment and other essential 'wheeling stuff sometimes makes the difference between abandoning your rig in the sticks or solving the problem and driving home. We at Four Wheeler wouldn't be caught without one in any of our rigs, because you just never know when a problem might leave you stranded. Follow along as we inspect Four Wheeler's own boonie bag to see what it contains.

Basic, high-quality handtools like these, many of which come from Craftsman, are a must for anyone who ventures off pavement. One we especially like is a multimeter (arrow). Electrical malfunctions are very common in modified vehicles. Ranging in price and function, any multimeter will do the job for troubleshooting the electrical system in a 4x4.	Safety Seal tire-repair kits are lifesavers when a flat tire occurs. We've even seen them used to repair rock-cut sidewalls. We don't advise this, and we certainly advise against pavement driving after such a repair, but the fact remains, the Safety Seal kits can make the difference between getting home and not getting home.	Helping us leave no trace is the new Oil Extinguisher from Zorbit Technologies. This 3-pound container of Peat Sorb will immediately render any spill of up to 3 gallons harmless to the environment. This stuff actually breaks down hydrocarbons such as oil and gasoline, captures it so that you can pick it up, and leaves no sign of a spill.
Jumper cables come in many different configurations. We like these home-brew versions constructed of heavy-gauge welding wire and Warn quick-disconnect plugs to increase their functionality. In a pinch these can be used in conjunction with a welding-rod and two batteries to make backcountry repairs to broken parts.	Epoxies, radiator sealer or pepper (which, believe it or not, can plug a hole in a leaking radiator) and silicone can help repair leaks to vital fluid reservoirs. All of these products can be found at local auto parts suppliers.	Tow straps, shackles, chain and a snatch block are standard essentials for extraction duties. Long straps are great for pulling others out, and the shorter tree-saver-sized straps are equally important.
Gloves are one of the most important items while out in the rough. They're essential when handling winch cable, and great for other uses as well. We like these from Mechanix Wear.	Wire, rags, starter fluid, zip ties, duct tape and some type of rope or webbing are always a good idea to bring along on the trail. Such items can be found at any local hardware store.	Ratchet straps and bungee cords are a big help when an object needs to be held in place. We carry both and have used them to solve all kinds of problems.

Though too big to fit in an actual boonie bag, our Hi-Lift Jack can help get a stuck vehicle moving again. We keep one of these multi-use jacks mounted where it can be easily retrieved for quick action. Many accessories are available to expand its use. One we like is the large, soft-surface base, which provides a stable surface in sand and mud. Another is a Lift-Mate, which allows the jack to lift a vehicle from a fixed position on almost any wheel.