As Bronco Nation members get ready for fun filled 2025 adventures, the holiday season offers the perfect opportunity to upgrade your trail essentials.
Beyond the excitement of all the shiny light bars, lift kits, and other accessories, ensuring your Bronco is equipped with critical safety equipment will make your trail rides safer and more enjoyable. So, what should be on your off-road wish list this Christmas? Here’s a guide to the must-have items every off-roader needs in their Bronco or Sport.
Recovery Gear
Getting stuck is a common off-road experience, but being unprepared isn't. Your recovery kit should include tools that allow for both self-recovery as well as vehicle-assisted recovery.
All items should be clearly rated for load capacity or minimum breaking strength and of the best quality to prevent injury or the potential remaining stuck in the backcountry. Do your research, companies like ARB have great products and are available to order in the Bronco Nation store.
Soft and Rigid Shackles: Soft shackles are lightweight and easy to use, while rigid metal shackles offer unmatched durability.
Recovery Boards: These are lifesavers for sand, mud, or snow, providing traction when your wheels spin.
Kinetic Rope: Unlike static tow ropes, kinetic ropes stretch, storing energy to pull you out with less force on attachment points.
Shovel: Compact folding shovels can dig out stuck tires or clear obstacles.
Gloves: Are essential to help protect your hands. Make sure they fit well and will pull off easily if they get snagged in recovery lines.
Winch: Have you been good this year? A winch is a great item for the avid off-roader, just make sure you’re familiar with its care and use.
Recovery Jack: This is a newer tool for me but I’ve found them to be very useful in situations where there is a clearance issue.
Gear Bag: A durable bag helps organize your recovery gear and protect items from abrasion or sun damage.
Tire Management Tools
Tires, and more specifically side walls are one of the most vulnerable parts of the Bronco. Airing down tires before heading off-road help create a larger traction patch with the terrain and also help the tires better flex and fold around obstacles, not to mention make the ride smoother and more comfortable. Because off-roaders air down for the trail and air back up for the pavement drive home, having easy to use, time saving, and dependable gear can be a great present that sees years of regular use.
Airing Down Tools: Airing down improves traction on soft or uneven surfaces. A tire deflator kit simplifies the process. Some people prefer to air down one tire at a time, while some use devices that can be attached to the valve stem and release the air to a preset number. Airing down is a trailhead standard and ritual among clubs and groups and is a social time to chat and compare Broncos and meet new friends.
Air Compressor: After the trail, you’ll need to reinflate your tires before hitting the pavement. Choose a compressor rated for your Bronco’s tire size. I highly recommend one that at least clamps to the Bronco’s battery as many of the rechargeable types are underpowered and can fail to air up four tires or take forever if they can.
Tire Repair Kit: Includes plugs and patches for fixing minor punctures. I have seen two tires slashed by the same rock and having only one spare won’t get you back to the trailhead.
Full-Size Spare and Jack: Ensure you have a full-size spare tire and a sturdy jack you’re familiar with using. There is a difference between a recovery jack and one used to change a tire but you also may find that the stock tire jack provided isn’t adequate for off-road situations. I usually carry a bottle jack and have found that type to work best for me.
Tip: Practice tire repair at home to avoid stressful surprises on the trail.
Survival Essentials
Off-roading can be unpredictable, so pack for emergencies. One of the stories I frequently tell is the time a flash flood kept me from getting back to the trailhead and I was forced to spend the night. There were some items I really wished I had but, depending on the situation, failure to have some of these items could be deadly.
Water: Carry at least one gallon per person, plus extra for pets if they’re coming along. Having a sturdy container for water is critical. I recently upgraded to RotopaX and love the flexibility of either mounting it to the Bronco or storing it flat inside with gear on top.
Weather-Ready Clothing: Include rain gear, warm layers, and gloves for unexpected weather changes. Also don’t forget items to protect you from sun and wind. If you’re a sand dune lover like me, goggles and Buffs are must haves.
Basic Tools: I personally love and regularly use my Motley Industries Bronco Tool set but having a good quality set of tools is great to have.
Tip: Always keep an emergency blanket and first aid kit in your vehicle.
Organization and Safety
Loose gear in your Bronco can be dangerous, especially in the event of a rollover.
Securing Your Gear: Use storage bins, cargo nets, or MOLLE panels to keep everything in place. Heavy items should be securely strapped down.
Accessibility: Recovery equipment should be quick to find and easily reachable without unpacking your whole cargo area.
Final Thoughts
As you make your holiday wish list, remember that off-roading confidence comes from preparation. There’s nothing worse than being in a situation wishing you had something that’s either missing or at home. Equipping your Bronco with these essential items ensures you’re ready for anything the trails throw your way in 2025. Stay safe, stay organized, and happy adventuring, Bronco Nation!
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