5 SMALL and ESSENTIAL items I'll NEVER leave home without!

[@wyldeadventures9975]

A tablet to read books is my must carry in all my trips! I never buy books but download them from my library. Another essential for me is a white noise sound app on my phone. Sometimes I can’t sleep as well in my Jeep like I do in my own bed and I find turning the white noise app on at night helps calms me and I am less jumpy when camping by myself.

[@LuisGGomezPhoto]

I love maps! I spent 32 years of my life in the USA, and the most I enjoyed, was that in any gas station you could get a travel map for free!!! Thanks for sharing so many great tips.

[@dathat555]

If you are going to use a USB in random Internet cafes or copy shops be sure your laptop has a good security software installed and you keep it up to date. Practice safe plugging.

[@cayman9873]

Flashlight. Knife. Tape measure. Wire ties .. serious duct tape. Couple hand tools. Some 10 guage wire. Nylon ratchet straps

[@Onward4x4]

The USB stick was a surprise but when I thought about, it makes total sense. Thanks!!

[@bnewburn]

I wish I had taken notes the first time I went through your videos! I’m going back through them now, and it is SUPER helpful when you put chapters in and a linked table of contents in the description - especially in list videos like this. Thanks!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

You are so welcome!

[@scothunter3221]

Tape measure is the biggest surprise, but it certainly makes sense. And I always have thumb drives, but I never thought of using them in the way that you suggest. As for the headband on the headlamp, I know a lot of through hikers (long distance backpackers) throw away the one that comes with it, and replace it with some simple shock cord, or some thing else. No need to replace the entire lamp. By the way, I’ve used a USB charged headlamp for years now. Love your videos and very helpful.

[@craiggillphotography8030]

haha. I always carry a tape measure. I too use it a lot. Especially when i want to know if something will fit

[@Shveet]

5:00 headlamps are an absolute game changer. I made the switch over to a PETZL Tikka from various brands of handhelds after destroying 5 or 6 of them. took long enough to give up after having handhelds in my mouth while trying to wrench under the truck would destroy the tail switch after a few months or so (activated it with my tongue whenever my hands were full with a tail shaft and trans...)

[@jfloydsea]

Good ideas! Also newer rechargeable batteries just have a USB-C port directly on the battery to charge them. No charger needed, just a cable!

[@plus790]

I had not seen those before! I have a jewelry box-sized charger, but I really like the idea of straight to the USB cord.

[@daveybernard1056]

A metal tape measure can ALSO become a compact, self retracting antenna for a radio. EDIT: USB sticks can hold TONS of music for radioless stretches, if your car radio has a USB port. Also, Petzl sells replacement elastic head straps for these headlamps.

[@TheJourneyAhead]

A good paper map is a must have, still today. I would never drive without one outside of Europe. It's way fast to see where you are and where to go next.

[@Furniture121]

Map recce is an underappreciated planning step, and real paper maps allow you to plan ahead without using data or relying on connectivity. I also wholeheartedly agree with the ebook recommendation. In my experience travelling for work I have also run into the issue of carrying/buying books.

[@terryoleary5424]

Yes a tape measure...... I’ve got one in my car for the exact same reasons. So good

[@LocoCoyote]

Tape measure surprised me...but makes sense. Great video, thx.

[@lsobrinho]

Dan, talk about your "workflow" to make your books. Did you write during your trip or after the trip? One way to do it is to record your notes with your phone. You may speak the events of the previous day during the next day driving. There are even apps that convert speech to text.

[@paulspeakman551]

I'm not an overlander but when I got back into camping and a little traveling a few years ago the first thing I got was a headlamp. And since my trips are short as compared to traveling in remote areas of other continents I carry a couple of books and find the Kindle is great for downloading movies and TV shows to watch where wifi is unavailable.

[@soundrecordings2659]

I called Petzel spoke to a human, and they sent me a new stretchy thing for my Nao headlamp (for free!!). One of the last wonderful outdoors companies.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Good to know, thanks!

[@beebo369]

Awesome video. You have really inspired me to drive the pan American highway and around Africa one day. I wanted to travel to all those countries before, but never thought about driving it. I don’t even really like driving but I think it’d be totally worth it. The wheels are in motion to eventually do it one day once I retire (hopefully early 😎), but until then then, I’m okay with living in different countries and backpacking several months out of the year (I’m lucky that I’m in a profession that allows that much time off)

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Sounds like an awesome plan Scott!!!

[@daveweber9737]

Haha! Fridge Envy!

[@jimstringer1733]

Another tape measure addict! I always have one handy! Never thought about the USB stick, although that's a more recent tool to have. The batteries surprised me, I usually have a "battery box" with loads of the batteries I need while on the road but given enough time I would run out of those, Will have to look into that. I will have to rethink a few items for future travels. Another great video Dan!! Thanks!

[@durwin5100]

Another great video. Thanks. How about one dealing with how to "store" money while travelling?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I cover that in the security video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4uognSMZZ6onsk

[@mikehagan4320]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Another good Video! Is there any Countries you wouldn't travel to? Best Wishes! M.H.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Situations change all the time, and yes for sure there are certain times when certain countries are not safe/stable enough for my comfort level.

[@overlandsubaruinternationa2378]

multi tool love it

[@blueelectricfusion]

i carry small things to trade locals that are useful where money is irrelevant. things like a chocolate bar, bottled soda, aa batteries, matches, cigarettes, small camping rope, basicly anything a candy striper would have @ a sports event. useful conversation starter items that are good bribes for information that local people are hesitate about telling.

[@plus790]

USB drive is a great suggestion (perhaps even a duplicate hidden elsewhere in the vehicle. I'd also password encrypt any files that are even remotely sensitive. I also keep multiple head-band lights in the truck and rechargeable batteries as well. One other thing that wasn't mentioned is walkie talkies. While they are really good if you are travelling with others, even solo trekkers can use them if they get lost/stranded. There are really small ones and they are pretty cheap.

[@kiplambel4052]

None of your 5 items surprised me, but a Dutch oven sure did!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Cooking on the fire in Southern Africa is a way of life!

[@LocoCoyote]

Even though they are heavy, a dutch oven is always on my packing list. They are just too useful to leave behind. I also carry a small cast iron frying pan.

[@yaroslavkrymov9955]

Hey Dan, its -25 in Edmonton. Something I park the car outside and seep in it. Thats how bad I miss traveling and sleeping in the nature. How does your jeep does in the cold?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

The Jeep runs fine in the cold, though I've never slept in it past about -10. I never designed it for that, and it wouldn't be very comfortable. Especially space to cook and hangout is lacking badly, and the water tank would freeze (it's empty)

[@yaroslavkrymov9955]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I slept once at -40 without heat when my diesel heater broke (wabasto), when I was still trucking. I agree with you; Waking up at those temperatures and trying to cook is miserable. Pleaaaaaaase tell us about yourself. Career, aspirations, wife, why the road chose you..... Have a great weekend man.

[@adelarsen9776]

1) The USB stick is something I'll take on board. Thank you. 2) The tape measure : I always have one :-) 3) The rechargeable battery idea has merit.

[@xv9dl]

I know what you mean about always having a tape measure. Whenever I go Jeeping on scary trails with the gang, all the guys whip "it" out and we compare. I usually win.

[@jacktyler7599]

After 11 years, 53 countries/island nations, and 30,000 miles on a sailboat, I couldn't agree more with your list, Dan. (Patricia carries a tiny 6' tape measure in her purse. SUPER helpful!) BUT...you didn't mention an item for laptop or tablet users, and that's a USB stick with a collection of movies/videos. That seemed to be the #1 trading item when plopping the hook down in a new anchorage. And I agree with Kristian (see below) and you: a paper map (aka: chart) is a wonderful conversation piece, as well as a necessity when hoping to get local knowledge on where to go/not go, 'here's where I'm from', etc. I'm pleased to be a Patreon supporter of your channel; you're offering great stuff!

[@VCV_Travel]

Learning a lot with you again! Thanks from Brazil!

[@juliussigurorsson3509]

Great vid Dan!

[@Faknm]

Well my very first trip, learned that I need take a chair and more food with me 😂😂

[@keithmoore5126]

Love paper maps and wouldn’t have thought about having a kindle for reading on the road.

[@markuffindell]

Great ideas. Thanks Dan.

[@richardevans2534]

Great advice on the usb!! But make sure you format your documents that basic computers can cope with. So if you have an apple, that may cause problems in Africa.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

pdf is no problem, I did that from my Apple in Latin America and Africa.

[@blakelodermeier4939]

god i love this content

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Tape measures are great fidgets to use while you're stuck hoping for help when your winch breaks🙃

[@njrx7t2]

2:58 Aha, I knew it.! This guy works for the Agency! 🙃

[@andrewwalker73]

I bet you’d appreciate an idea for a future video. I’d like to know more about your solar and battery set up and what you would change for future. Do you have a solar generator.. like a Jackery 500, or do you just charge two 12 V? Are they separate or connected in series?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Hi Andrew - check it out - Solar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmXCgop8jtmHhNU Dual Batteries: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppm1kJR_d7GNaZo

[@ihmesekoilua]

I always have some home improvement or vehicle project going on, so I pretty much always have a tape measure in my jacket pocket, to the point that I actually feel a bit naked without it.

[@gloredon]

Hadn't thought of a tape measure. Cool idea. I use my phone to read books. It is probably more efficient to use a kindle separately (they use far less battery to maintain their display than a phone does). I've broken three of them now, and won't buy the larger ones anymore (bad habit of sitting on them when they in my back pocket, the backing glass on the display is quite thin and fragile).

[@blurglide]

I took everything but the tape measure on my RTW trip

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Tape measure will come in handy for fixing, repairing or building something on the road. Head lamp is extremely necessary for night fishing or just for general use. I leave 4 of them in my truck. One for each family member and redundancy purposes.

[@gibrigg]

Like your list! Thoughtful and unexpected.

[@malcolmx2461]

Tape measure is also handy if you have an inexperienced person spotting for you. Answer questions about gaps very quickly. Would be nice if you could maps for the Kindle eh?

[@LocoCoyote]

Not too keen on the maps for Kindle idea... the whole strength of the Kindle as an eReader, is that it is a single, purpose built device for reading books...start getting out of that (PDFs, Graphic Novels, etc) and you're better off with your tablet.

[@plus790]

I have a 10" android tablet with GAIA. Though I haven't used eBooks before, I'm sure a reader is available for it.

[@guidok3762]

Great video, love the 5 items and will bring them for 100% with me!

[@markwyatt3088]

A dressmakers cloth tape, usually 72" long is an inexpensive alternative to a carpenter's tape and weighs nothing.

[@logdoggybrown]

There’s also something called lithium ion batteries in most nice headlamps lol

[@mark2073]

I find a headlamp is essential every day when I'm NOT touring....

[@SoberNomad]

Helpful little vid, thanks. When did you get to Canada? If it was during COVID how did you get in the country? I love traveling through Canada but being from the US it’s next to impossible to cross the border.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I live in Canada, I've been here since I finished the Africa trip - and was here before that!

[@tonyraca]

should have used your tape measure to check the size of your kindle

[@ebikeengineer]

Funny I carry all those items too. Though my USB drives (5 of them) have collections of mp3 flies. My E Reader is the Kindle app on my phone.

[@LocoCoyote]

I used to do a lot of ebook reading on my phone/tablet. Tried a Kindle and was surprised at the difference. Just much easier on the eyes and more of a "reading" experience.

[@mattfoster2118]

Can you use your handy tape to measure the opening of your Ursa Minor?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Haha, sure, I can do that, but there's not much to tell. It's open from just behind the roll bar behind the drivers head all the way back, and almost the full width of the Jeep. If you have a stock hard top you'll be able to measure that pretty well. What exactly are you looking for?

[@mattfoster2118]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I've estimated on a stock hard top. I'm just looking to satisfy my curiosity about the exact measurements... just as you described how you use the tape to measure other overlanders' interior space. Because I love your setup! PS: I mean the width x length of the full opening without the collapsed sleeping platform boards

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Hey Matt, I just threw the tape on it (I think for the first time ever!) Length is: 51 inches Width is: 44 inches If you used a slightly different setup for the sleeping boards you could *maybe* stretch that an inch each way, but barely.

[@mattfoster2118]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Thanks Dan! I truly appreciate it.

[@muddybuddys1135]

Do you carry fire starting stuff like flint and ready fire wads

[@kiplambel4052]

I carry cotton balls in Vaseline, but there are numerous bic lighters in my vehicle, so no flint or steel.

[@Qwiv]

Forgot Bottle/Can Opener and Lighter. People always ask for that on trail.

[@plus790]

Those are on every standard list though. It's like saying don't forget water or a sleeping bag.

[@Gzus]

How often did you need to enable your lockers on your trips?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I had no lockers on the Pan-American Highway. In West Africa I used them a lot (many times a day), in East Africa only once or twice a month.

[@wolfgangwust5883]

I agree: Never leave home without a Kindle. Also, insisting on high quality headlamp is essential. Petzl is a decent choice. Forget about cheap crap. As a backup for your important documents, upload it to Google Docs.

[@BillRyle]

I also use a Kindle to read eBooks but get my books through LibbyApp.com. This allows me to check out books from my local library without any cost. I then download the books to my Kindle wherever I connect to the internet.

[@lorneliari]

Ahem.... Back scratcher. 👍

[@DestDroid]

I can't imagine being anywhere, developed world or not, and wanting to own a printer.

[@GATORADDAM]

Headlamp... absolutely. Tape measure... yes. Paper maps... occasionally. USB stick... no. Reading... I hate reading.

[@leoncrousen9950]

The tape measure is a great one. I'm actually building a Defender 110 for overlanding. How did the measurements compare to the jeep? A lot bigger/smaller? Great videos btw!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

The 110 is about a foot bigger in every dimension, and the hard top doesn't taper in at the top, so there's WAAAAY more interior volume