Stowing the Gear

Once you've been off-roading for a while, you will develop a method of storing your gear so that it is not only safe and secure, but also easy to get out when needed. From the pictures of my 90 you can see my method of storing tools.

I use bolted down, plastic storage chests with removable lids to stow away the tool kit, spare oil and fluid and hand cleaners, etc. In the other lives chains, webbing tree strops, snatch blocks, shackles and a small Brano hand winch. After closing the lids, a strap is secured across the top.

Behind each chest is a spare can (explosive-proof type) of fuel, starter leads and sundry vehicle spares in various plastic food storage boxes.

In between the two chests is my own custom-built box which houses a slightly shortened four-foot Jackall, an extended 90/110 adapter (to reach past the roof ladder and spare rear door-mounted wheel), torque wrench (which doubles up as a wheel brace), set of 'T-Stake' ground anchors and a sledge-hammer.

You will notice two restraint bars: one secures the centre box and chests and the other, luggage on top of the two inboard facing seats. These restraints stop the lot from falling out of the back of the vehicle when the rear door is open and facing up a steep hill!

The gaps between the chests and the wheel arches conceal the long handled pruners, a narrow bladed pruning saw, a machete, a bow saw with a spare blade and a wading/walking stick.

On top of the wheel arches is one box containing the food, flask and water container, while a coolbox lives on the other side with a box underneath for storage of useful emergency repair items. All these items are secured down with straps or bungies.

When driving, the luggage, waterproof clothes and camera case are tied down with straps. Fortunately, there are not too many of us in the 'rollover club'.

Things can, and sometimes do, go wrong, so make sure everything is secure!

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