Before you hit the trails with your new 2022 Ford Bronco, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared for anything the road can throw at you––literally. You never know when you’ll pop a tire, blow a radiator hose, or run out of gas. Although your Bronco is designed to handle off-roading conditions much better than your average vehicle, anything can happen, and it’s important to be prepared. We’ve got some tips on how you can best prepare for the trail.
All About Spare Tires and Wheels
The good news is that if you haven’t needed it yet, your Bronco already comes with the perfect, full-size spare tire. However, while uncommon, you may find yourself needing to repair more tires than you brought. This is why it’s important to at least bring an emergency tire patching kit with you. The best available kits will be able to patch punctures that are up to 4 mm in diameter. Keep in mind that oftentimes, off-roading tire injuries can be larger than this, which is why bringing a spare is so important. However, if you’ve already used your spares and all you’ve got is the tire patching kit, that’s still better than nothing.
If you plan on using a tire repair kit, you have to have a portable air pump to efficiently fill the tire back up with air. While you can certainly bring an air compressor that hooks into your 12V or 110V auxiliary outlet, it’s best to choose one that hooks directly to your Bronco’s battery. This ensures that you’re getting enough power without blowing a fuse and can help you inflate the tire faster. An air compressor is also a vital tool for reinflating your tires after “airing down” (reducing tire pressure) to get more grip on rough terrain.
When it comes to wheel damage and bends, there’s no quick fix. Off-road terrain is uneven and rocky. This means that bending a wheel is not something out of the ordinary. The potential for a damaged wheel is another reason why a tire repair kit alone is not enough. While there are plenty of times when you can pop a tire without bending your wheel, there’s no way to predict which way it will go. It’s better to be prepared from the start. You need to bring a full spare tire, possibly more than one. Period.
Best Tools to Take Along for the Trip
There are a plethora of issues that can happen when you’re off the pavement. Whether you or a friend gets stuck in the mud or your battery unexpectedly dies, you want to be prepared. We’ve got several recommendations that will keep your off-roading adventure from turning into an all-day rescue mission.
A Recovery Kit or a Winch
No one wants to be that person who’s holding up the whole ride because they’re stuck in the mud. If you don’t want your Wrangler-driving friends to bully you, make sure that you pack a recovery kit or install a winch on your Bronco. Recovery kits are cheaper than winches, so if you’re trying to save a few bucks, these kits will suffice. Just make sure that your snatch strap can handle the Bronco’s weight. It is recommended to choose a strap that has a minimum breaking strength of 3 or 4 times your Bronco’s loaded weight.
While saving money is great and all, you’re probably not on a tight budget if you own a new Bronco. It’s best to drop the extra cash on a sturdy, built-in winch that will attach to your Bronco’s front bumper area. There are several different winch options on the market, but Ford endorses the Ford Performance WARN winch, designed specifically for the Bronco.
A Vehicle Tool Kit
Whether you experience something disastrous, or something as small as a loose bolt, having a tool kit handy is important. You’re going to traverse rough, rocky territory, and if you’re out on the trail for a whole day, all those vibrations may lead to loose parts. Make sure you’ve got a nice set of wrenches, pliers, drivers, and so on, just in case this happens.
Don’t Forget the Liquids
Although yes, you want to stay hydrated, we’re not talking about water. It’s a good idea to bring a few bottles of important liquids, such as gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid, and the like. It’s best to check these levels before you even head off-road, but even when you go in prepared, anything could happen. You may end up being out longer than you expected and run low on fuel. Similarly, you may bust a hose and leak oil or transmission fluid.
A Jump Starter/Jumper Cables
No one wants to think about being the one who breaks down (especially when you’re driving a Ford), but alas, it happens. This is why you’ll want to make sure to bring a fully-charged jump starter along for the trip. The portable jump starter is great because you don’t have to rely on someone else or even admit that you need to be “jumped.” However, in case you forget your jump starter or the battery isn’t charged, make sure to keep a set of jumper cables in the Bronco at all times––especially when you’re off-roading.
Extra Safety Measures to Consider
Everyone has a different idea of what it looks like to go off-roading. It can depend upon your experience level, your geographical location, and the length of your trip. Regardless of where you go or how long the trail is, it’s important to make sure you’re stocked up on emergency items. We recommend bringing a first-aid kit, non-perishable food such as jerky, trail mix, peanut butter crackers, and the like. Make sure you’re stocked up on sports drinks, protein drinks, and water, just in case.
While it’s great to have your phone maps handy, these won’t tell you much about the trails. Many trails are properly marked, but it’s easy to get distracted when you’re having fun and end up lost. Don’t forget that your Bronco includes a built-in trail navigation feature that allows you to pre-load trail maps into your Bronco’s database.
Put simply, make sure you prepare before the trip because having every potential trail located in a singular database, regardless of cell phone service, is a huge plus. Normally, off-roaders have to purchase these types of trail maps separately, but Ford has one-upped the Wrangler fandom by adding this as a built-in feature. Just make sure you’re savvy on how to use it before you get lost.
You’re Ready to Hit the Trails!
There are many things to consider before you head out into the wilderness, but as long as you remember to bring these spare parts, food, and emergency kits, the worst possible situations can be avoided or remedied. The 2022 Ford Bronco is certainly one of the most capable vehicles you could hit the trails in, so you’ve already made one good decision. Just make sure you don’t get too excited and forget to properly prepare for the trip. Keep this list handy and use it as a checklist when it’s time to head out. You’ll be happy you did.