The Ultimate Off-Road Gear List

If you are going off the beaten path, don't let the path beat you. Have a back-up communication alternative. I went with the Garmin InReach Mini. I like its compact design and interface with a mobile phone. Depending on the subscription level, you can drop GPS breadcrumbs for others to follow your trek, even when you are outside of cell range. You can easily send pre-programmed messages too - such as, "I arrived." I also use this little gem for my mountain bike and hiking trips. The compact design is a big plus. 

An important tip: Set it up BEFORE you head out, from home. Put it outside, with clear line of sight to the satellites to get it activated. Do this BEFORE you leave, and send a few test messages.

This kit comes with the heavy duty straps useful for pulling a 6000 pound vehicle out of a bad spot, if ever needed. The kit includes a 30' tow strap, 8' short strap, 3/4” Bow Shackle, hitch link + hitch pin, recovery gloves and two soft shackles. It is a very good start to the gear one should have when off-roading - but, in my view, far from complete.  

$600 from Rivian Gear Shop 

I've added the additional items that are highly recommended when heading off the pavement.

So, you got the tow straps from the Rivian Off Road Recovery Kit, but if you need to pull yourself out, you will need a come along or a winch. Since there is now winch for Rivian yet, I followed MotorTrend's TransAmerica approach and went with the $45 Tekton 4-ton power puller, a  

$124 ARB Snatch Block to double pulling capacity, $22 Bow Shackles (kit of 2) to connect the snatch block to recovery rigging, $56 ARB 26,500-pound tree trunk protector, and two $47 ARB Recovery Dampeners (x2 - $94). 

The Rivian is heavy, over 2-tons. The 4-ton power puller should do the trick, but the Snatch Block doubles the pulling capacity to pretty much ensure you can get the Rivian out of any situation. Given how much weight is on the line, one winching precaution is the fitting of a recovery damper prior to a load being applied. In the unlikely event of a wire rope or strap failure, the recovery damper will absorb most of the energy in the cable or strap, significantly reducing the recoil. According to ARBs details, the "recovery damper is manufactured from heavy duty vinyl and features storage pockets which come in handy for carrying snatch blocks and shackles when walking from your 4wd to an anchor point." (I suggest getting 2 of these dampeners).    

The tree trunk protector should be used when using a tree as an anchor point. I also added two 30 foot Snatch Straps (x2 - $112). These have elastic qualities which the tow strap that comes with the Rivian Recovery Kit does not. The total cost for the gear is about $450.    

The MaxTrax are good for adding traction if stuck in sand, mud or snow. 4 Trax (2 sets of 2) should be enough and fit nicely in the gear tunnel.  

Pick your color. These blue babies will sort of match my Rivian Blue.

$600 (suggest 2 sets@$300 per set) Maxtrax MKII FJ Blue Vehicle Recovery Board (4 total)  

NOTE: Amazon will default to 1 set. Change the quantity to 2 if you want traction for all four tires.

Rivian comes with a sealant kit, but not the plugs or tools to plug a tire on a trail. Here is the gear I got: 

$29 JACO Tire Gauge & Rapid Deflation Tool    

And, in case of a puncture on the trail, I got the $46 ARB Speedy Seal tire repair kit as well as an extra bag ($28) of the Tire Sealant (the same brand Rivian delivers with vehicle). 

Optional: Additional Repair chords

Somehow, I missed including the full size spare. Don't forget to add this if you plan on off roading.

I've got some of this... I am in the process of collecting & buying others to add to gear tunnel. 

Pull Pal (thanks for the tip)

Printed Map (off-road atlas) and compass 

Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit (included with Rivian)  

sleeping bag and water tight backpack/duffel. 

Additional compressor 

$20 Petzl, TIKKINA Outdoor Headlamp with 250 Lumens for Camping and Hiking at Amazon

Tools: screw driver (reversible), 

Folding saw, 

SOG leatherman  

Buck knife, 

electric chainsaw, 

extension cord, 

Tape  

Toilet paper Towels/Rags Paper Towels, 

Windex/Rained  Water Filter/Straw  

Folding Shovel, Snow Shovel,  

Tie downs,  

Dust Buster Water pouches, plates & utensils, napkins, wipes,  

Rivian comes with a Jack, and it is probably plenty good, but when I chatted with the Motor Trend team that did the TransAmerica trail, they swore by the Cooke Pro Eagle 3-ton off-road jack. They noted the larger platform making it easier to use in tricky off road situations. At $599.99 it is a big investment and somewhat redundant to the Rivian Jack, but I think the Motor Trend folks were taking the safer route having this in their gear kit.   

$600 Cooke Pro Eagle 3-ton off-road jack at Amazon 

The Jack adds weights, but if you are doing serious trail driving often, probably worth it.

Speaking of tires, here is the gear to automatically deflate to a set pressure (30psi is what I use for off road in the Rivian). I consider this a luxury item. It is a very nice convenience.   

$110 Staun Automatic Tire Deflators - Heavy Duty 15-55 PSI  

The Tire Gauge will air down just fine, but that is a one at a time affair. If you want to pop these four on, you'll get a precise deflation going on all four tires at once.