Food: take plenty of food especially high-energy bars and don't forget to take a flask of hot drink. You never know how long you are going to be away from civilisation. Take a container of fresh water - this could be useful for either drinking, washing hands, cuts and bruises or radiator requirements.

Tools: a selection of tools appropriate to your vehicle is a must should something need attention. An oddments box is a good idea, which should include spare nuts, bolts, washers, fuses, insulating tape and stiff wire.

Spares: it's only when you start preparing for an expedition abroad that you take everything including the kitchen sink with you! But, if you regularly go off-road with the same group of vehicles, the more adventurous you get, the more you can start putting together a few items like fan belts, hoses and sparking plugs. One day you may be pleased you did.

Fuel: it's always a good idea to carry a spare fuel can of fuel. Ideally, use an explosion-proof can which is filled with a special gauze and secure it with a strap. When travelling off-road you are often down only to four or five miles to the gallon. If you run a V8 90, like myself, with a normal-sized fuel tank, you could have an embarrassing end to the day! If on a long run fill your vehicle's tank before commencing your off-road journey, and at any opportunities during the day.

CB: all vehicles travelling together as a group should always have a CB radio fitted to each. You can converse with ease, the 'lead' vehicle can tell 'tail-end Charlie' whether he or she found the gate open or closed, or simply to confirm the route ahead.

It's not a bad idea to carry just one hand-held CB unit, which is useful when the lead vehicle passenger walks ahead to check the ground. After walking what could be several hundred metres, he or she can simply tell the convoy to come ahead, or forget it. An amateur radio operator has a better chance of communicating over a much greater distance, which could be useful in an emergency.

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