6 BASIC Vehicle Skills EVERY CAMPER Should Know How to Do (camping trip preparation)

When it comes to camping trip preparation, your vehicle is something that's often overlooked. In this video, Nick and I go over basic vehicle skills that car campers and road trippers should have. We talk about checking and preparing your vehicle for travel, and some of the maintenance and repair skills that you should know how to do. What if you get a flat tire? What if your car battery dies? We talk about these things and more in the video! Take your camping preparedness to a whole new level....
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Amanda Outside: Sharing camping and hiking tips and food ideas so you can get outside more... and eat great food while you're at it!

[@traviswilliams3508]

I love that she did this video. It's one thing for men to do a video about this topic but for women to take charge of their vehicles is critically important. Thank you.

[@darlenedavis8690]

As the daughter of a mechanic, my dad made me (and my sister) know all of these skills before he would let me get my driver's license. He said that he never wanted me to get stranded somewhere and not be able to help myself. At the time I'm sure I just rolled my eyes and thought he was being over dramatic, however, these skills have saved me several times. He also taught me to always check my oil every time I got gas. Cars today have oil, tire, and other fluid sensors, however back when I first started driving they didn't. I honestly can't tell you how many times I heard "When was the last time you checked your oil?". Thanks, Dad for teaching me what I needed to know!

[@jamespayette7574]

Amanda…and, the elusive Nick….wonderful tips and, as stated, not only for campers and backpackers, but useful for everyone. Another great job!

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you so much! I was really excited to make this video. It's such an important topic. 🤗

[@carriemainquist757]

Most cars only have a single bar to remove lug nuts. The 4 cross lug nut remover you used is key because it gives a person leverage to loosen and tighten. Small price to pay to replace this, but super important for women to be able to muscle the bad tire off and spare back on. Check you vehicle gear!!

[@stephenhall5694]

I appreciate your effort, but this is WRONG. The lug wrench that comes with a car (“bar”, as you call it) is longer than a tire iron (also called a spinner or 4-way lug wrench). The car-supplied lug wrench thus has more leverage to break the lug nuts loose, especially if you stand on it. The tire iron is for spinning the nuts off quickly. It also can break the nuts loose if the user is strong enough.

[@fldays6798]

It's a good reminder for everybody young and old certain things you should never leave home without thanks for sharing keep the cameras rolling from Florida

[@amanda.outside]

So true! Thanks for commenting 😁

[@tacoma_jon]

I also have a battery style jump starter. Make sure you’re checking the charge on it every few months . A tire repair kit is also good to have. 🤙🏽

[@outlawonadventure]

One more thing that would be a good idea to keep check on is belts and hoses that may rot, tear, or leak. Thanks so much for this video!! Very helpful!

[@russellsnell9680]

We just started watching your videos and came across this one on basic vehicle skills. Forgive me if these have been mentioned. Checking the belts on your vehicle before heading out into the woods is also a good idea. And one other piece of equipment nice to have is a tow strap in case you or someone else gets into soft dirt mud or snow. Just some ideas.

[@Chriztina97]

Fantastic video!! I just came home from a 9 day road trip with my daughter and dog. It was the furthest I've driven by myself. Knowing I would be out of cell service for some of it, I upgraded my Garmin InReach subscription for the trip so I could communicate more freely with my husband if I had any issues, including with the car. I know how to change a tire but it takes a lot of strength. I need help to do it.

[@daniellebollman447]

Good to get to know Nick a little more! He did a great job!

[@nicholas-sq7mu]

Tire plug kit/fix a flat Quart of oil Spare hose clamps electrical/duct tape Zip ties Recovery straps Ratchet straps Bungee cords And if you can fit it, a small set of vice grips/channel locks/sockets/wrenches/screw drives/allen keys/leatherman multi tool are great. I’ve used all the tools listed (except the spare oil) for one thing or another around town or on camping trips. Both for myself and others. I also have a fire extinguisher, hammer, flash light, pry bar, and more small stuff. I also keep spare blocks of 2x6 slightly wider than the width of my tires and thin rope to create traction if I’m stuck.

[@SailingTeez]

Awe your guy is so wonderful and supportive! Great video guys! You go girl ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@bonnieruggieri7340]

Gotta check my spare tire. Thanks for jogging my memory. Good info to know.🚙

[@amanda.outside]

Definitely! It's such an easy thing to forget. Glad you liked the video! 😁

[@davidmeyer7511]

a recover/tow strap and a couple D rings are good to carry along, and some ways to start a fire if you have to spend a unexpected night out in the middle of no where's

[@lesliealvarez6958]

You can’t trust on AAA when your traveling. So having a emergency car kit is essential and especially learning the car repair skills will be helpful. Love this video!

[@stephenjones6902]

Very true Amanda. A pre check always helps.

[@amanda.outside]

Definitely! It can prevent so many problem out on the road.

[@bernie1327]

I keep a STANLEY air compressor and jumper in the car, has an air compressor, battery jumper, safety lights, and USB connections to recharge your electronics. It's on Amazon 😉

[@dhu1042476]

A LOT of great info here. My wife had a flat and called me a while back to change it for her. I met up with her and she got a little dirty, but now she knows how to do it. Safely. I felt a little bad and of course I'll be there to help. But if I can't be.....My wife is 65 years old. Watch this twice.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Thanks for this video! It’s such a great reminder that we should be doing these things, especially before a trip out into the middle of nowhere!

[@TheGratitudeAttitude]

1. check tire pressure and fluids... have air pressure gage and even an air pump that works with the tires. 2. inform friends/family where you're going and for how long 3. extra food and water, sleeping bag 4. check windshield wiper for replacement and wiper fluid 5. check spare tire 6. learn how to change tire, have all the tools needed for maintenance and how to use them 7. make car maintenance on highway a safe scene 8. what if you have a dead car battery? keep terminals clean... do you have jumper cables? 9.jumper cables / jumper power pack. 10. learn how to get drive and get unstuck in off-roading situations 11. situational awareness =) what did I miss? Thanks for all the tips!

[@jacynjames]

This has been such a valuable and helpful video. Thank you so much!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@alysonjenkins4392]

Thanks guys! I know this stuff but I don’t think about it enough. The battery starter works great. One time we used it when our car was facing a fence and it would have been hard for anyone to help us. Nick should make more videos…

[@annaminman]

That time my family including a preschooler drove 2 hours from home into a remote part of the Unitas and went on a dirt road and drove through a creek. We got a hole in our radiator and all the fluid leaked out. We were stuck in the woods until we could get a friend to drive from 2 hours away to pick us up. It took our insurance road side assistance 12 hours to tow our car home. Glad we had a friend!!

[@amanda.outside]

Wow! So glad you were able to get help out there. Some of the roads out in the Uintas get really rough!

[@geo.nerd.]

Thanks for doing this video! And good job, Nick. I know he’s not a huge fan of being on camera but he did great and had so much good info!

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome! Nick definitely doesn't love being in front of the camera, but he knows so much about this topic so I knew I had to get him on the channel! 😁

[@jannah4288]

Very thoughtful, and easily overlooked things to think about! Thank you!

[@nicoler2872]

Thank you for your videos. I'm getting ready for my first solo road trip to Acadia and I've been loving all the info you've shared!

[@joepalmer75]

One of the easiest and smartest preps is to take your vehicle to your dealer/mechanic and have it checked before leaving. They can do much more than just check your fluids and tires.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

Excellent tips!

[@KatieL]

Check to see if you have a spare tire or a fix a flat type thing. I have a 2019 and Kia at least was moving away from spare tires on smaller models.

[@AdrienneLawrence1]

Fab video. How about one showing all of the tools you each carry in your cars, how they are packed and with an online list linked? Lots of work, I get it, but I would find it valuable. Oh! And my tires are filled with nitrogen and are run-flats. What could I carry to fill the air on those?

[@siennap7854]

Exactly what I needed!

[@amanda.outside]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@lissaestes7017]

First time I camped alone I ran my battery down. I didn't know that I could turn off the interior lights with the switch on the dash. I was in and out of the van with the van lights coming on over and over using up my battery. Had to call someone to give me a jump start. Felt so stupid! Boy, I'm careful now!

[@sophiapaulekas4767]

Awesome!

[@Kathy.Thorne]

Thank you for this video Amanda, us ladies can do stuff x Also after changing a tire get the flat one sorted asap. Keep up the good work x

[@jeanw9977]

Great info! Thank you!

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome! 😁

[@busyboy3497]

Good ideas

[@ej2957]

Great Video Amanda and Nick very helpful tips, I’ve helped alot of people who did not have these items in their vehicles. Some areas in the backcountry don’t have cell service and people think they can just call AAA if something happens which is not smart. Always be overprepared and test your systems prior to travel, for any circumstance.

[@amanda.outside]

Yes! Checking your vehicle prior to travel is such a good habit to get into. I would always rather be over prepared!

[@IndianHemlock]

Great tips, and excellent video !!!

[@tikoy1955]

Good video. So standing by vehicle lifting one pant leg up doesn’t work anymore?? Lol. You are correct about knowing skills. I had to find the jack, where spare was and how to get it down before I could change tire. Thank God for owners manual. I have nitrogen in my tires which is smoother ride and temperature doesn’t effect them hardly at all compared to compressed air.

[@lifestidepools]

Great video! Would never have thought that a bike pump could be used in a pinch. Thx for sharing, good information!

[@ThePlacesWhereWeGo]

Helpful tips!

[@amanda.outside]

So glad if was helpful! Thanks for commenting!

[@sheliafalgout5043]

Great video!! Much much useful information, thank U so much! Awesome

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!! I'm really glad you got some useful info out of it! 😁

[@awkward-stranger]

awesome! Thank you

[@AFizz-cw3on]

Good job nick!

[@joycemoses2411]

Very informative!!! Thank you!!!

[@amanda.outside]

You are so welcome! Glad you liked it!

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

Excellent tips! Thanks so much. 🙏

[@amanda.outside]

You're so welcome!

[@tracyrupp764]

Awesome and helpful video. So nice to get to know Nick better, and you two are a wonderful pair. I pray my own adventurous daughter finds such a fine yang to her yin, to explore life with! :-)

[@robaldridge6505]

learn to safely change a tire in a bad spot.. if you are 4 hours from 'town' and bust a tire, you CAN call someone BUT its gonna cost because that person to come to you is using an entire workday, 4 hours out to you, minutes to an hour to change tire, then 4 hours back.. you get to pay for the 8+ hour day.. Maintenance is #1....

[@richbanister]

Xterra...nice!

[@kirstenyoung8984]

Great video, thanks! Is there a tire compressor you recommend?

[@iris_ivory]

saaame with the chipotle napkins 😂

[@jhoonhp8923]

Take care of your ride and your ride will take care of you

[@amanda.outside]

Yes! I love this. I bought my Xterra used about 8 years ago and it's been the best vehicle. I take good care of it and its been good to me on countless outdoor adventures!

[@Allratliff98]

A volt meter set for DC can be used before trips to ensure Battery has full charge = should be 12v if less you could have a bad battery or faulty alternator

[@driamccluskey8379]

Do you have a different or updated link for the Jump Starter Battery Pack? The current amazon link does not appear to be working any longer. Many thanks!

[@tanvirrahman2997]

Dear Amanda , I watched your review video about 6 BASIC Vehicle Skills EVERY CAMPER Should Know How to Do (camping trip preparation) on KZbin, and you really have done a great job on this. I love your video style very much. We are setting up a new business on camping chair and hope to extend our business. So can you test the product for us? We will appreciate it and we can pay for your effort. Best Regards

[@MrsLadyLiberty]

My used SUV did not come with all of the tools to change a tire. I called AAA but the mechanic couldn't get my spare loose because it had rusted on. My spare was the original spare from 2005 so while never used, it was dry rotted. I ended up replacing my spare with a full size spare and getting the correct tools. There are inexpensive tire inflators that aren't as big and expensive as a compressor. There are also tire inflaror/jump starter combos.

[@amanda.outside]

That's a good point! I haven't considered that some used cars might not come with a tire changing kit or a good working spare. That's definitely a good thing to check!

[@cyruserickson9085]

Hi Nick

[@joopvankoot2732]

think you need to update this subject because now a day the cars are electric and have no spare tyre so what do you do that when you have no cell service and a flat

[@SweetBearCub]

I have a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and it generally did not come with a spare tire nor tools to change one. I was lucky however, that the car is still capable of accepting a full-size spare tire in the back, and it will fit under the false cargo bottom, with enough space around it to fit the tire changing tools, plus maybe a few things like a compact lithium jump starter and inflator combination.

[@00coyote80]

You forgot to mention how important it is to fill your blinker fluid!

[@Auxbeam]

Hi Do you need some great lighting upgrade for your car to help you better driving, off-road and adventure.We're the pro auto lighting manufacturer for nearly 20 year and we're looking for sponsorship!

[@barbarajeanne8351]

I know how to change a tire,but now I'm old and arthritic and can't! Its scary.

[@zyloooooo]

The tire changing kits that come with your vehicle are cheap and dangerous especially the jack