One thing you know if you’ve been around Off Road Magic much is that I’m inclined to whine about cold weather.  Also, that I enjoy a good quote or “cryptic” saying. And humor. Gotta have some humor. So what’s with the title you ask? Not too hard to figure out – the Boy Scout is . . .? That’s right, always prepared. And the other bit? Well, you show me an off road, 4×4 enthusiast who isn’t inclined toward collecting a bell or a whistle or three and I’ll be asking if what they’re smoking is legal. So let’s talk a bit about off road gear.

From time to time, we have a “kid in a candy store” experience. For us off roaders, finding a company that supplies quality 4×4/off road gear is one of those experiences. I am always on the look out for such companies and like to share the love when I find one. So pay attention, clues to follow . . .

See, if you’re doing it right, you need some pretty tuff stuff when you get out there. But there’s more to it than just handy gadgets that make life more pleasant and comfortable on (or rather off) the trail. Give or take a few of your favorite decals, all your gear has, or should have, a purpose. You don’t want to be carrying dead weight just for show. Also, whether you choose to load it all on your rig or haul it in a sturdy jeep trailer on your next expedition, you want to be able to count on your gear to do it’s job.

For real off roading, the “bells & whistles” are not just sparkly bits ‘n pieces for show. Me? I’m a very practical bloke. While I don’t have an objection to something looking good, bottom line is it must be useful. So if it looks good and does the job, that’s what I call a bargain. I’m sure we all know Jack (or Jill) with the shiny new rig. The rig that has it all but whose toughest trip is from the driveway to the mall parking lot. Don’t be like Jack (or Jill).

Take a good, solid jeep winch bumper for example. Unlike Jack from the mall parking lot, we know that it’s not just a chick magnet or a means of over compensating for something. It’s a very useful and often critical piece of gear. And again, if you’re doing it right, you’ve probably had to use it more than once.

So whether you drive a Jeep, Toyota Landcruiser (yeah!) Ford, Chevy or Unimog 2.5, (gonna get me one some day) you need good, “tuff” reliable gear. Be a Boy Scout and make sure your bells and whistles have a purpose and do their job. (Hmm, there’s a joke in there somewhere . . .)

Okay, get back to work now, those jeep parts won’t pay for themselves.

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