Do you need to carry an extra spare leafspring , or should you ensure the suspension is in tip-top condition before leaving and keep those weight savings up your sleeve ?
UNDER-PREPARED
This is the flipside of overloading . Not taking enough of anything to do the job properly is a consequence of not understanding what is needed , be it enough food and water to survive , enough fuel to go the distance , enough tools to affect mechanical repairs , or enough spare parts to facilitate regular maintenance .
This problem exists even before leaving the safety of home . Not knowing how to use your mapping devices or how to perform first aid are also a form of underpreparation .
It isn ’ t always wise to rely on just one navigation device .
Have your vehicle seen to by a qualified mechanic who is well-versed in remote-area travels .
If you ’ re not mechanically inclined , or even if you are , it ’ s a great idea to have your vehicle looked over by a mechanic who is well-versed in outback travel and preventative maintenance .
LOST
In this high-tech age , there really is no excuse for becoming ‘ geographically misplaced ’. There are dozens of free and paid apps that ’ ll do a stellar job of navigating you to a known point and pinpointing where you are in the countryside .
We ' ve all heard of the tribulations of relying on Google Maps that might send you up the garden path . I can assure you that plenty of other mapping devices and systems can have the same problem , so I ' d advise , as I do in practice , running more than one system at a time .
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