I forgot about the obvious GPS, Tow Hitch Clevis Attachement, work gloves(leather are best) and cell phone. Yes I take all that just for a day trip. it has all paid off. The pullable box holds most things.

Splashman, very good point expect mud even if it looks dry. mud mud mud. take extra clothes and garbage bags in the field are as useful as duct tape is at home. IF you get stuck it will more than likely be mud. Also assume that IF you get stuck it may be an over night.

(remeber the picture of the bronco stuck and the front loader pulling it out?)

TalathDirnen, good point about winching. The X is one heavy bitch, especially if you high center it. I got sick of hand winching multiple times to get it free just a little. we found that chains are just the thing. No give, it's a flat steady pull. They are very heavy and if they break do not become a missle. There is one 4x4 club and a 4x4 area that only allow straps, no chains, but they don't say why.

I just don't trust the straps. We have broken several at the ends and the stretch is sometimes a lot. I haven't tried and cannot vouche for wire cable. 3/8" chain is very hard to break if you ar winching correctly. The guy at farm and fleet says his buddy uses 3/8" zinc coated to recover stuck dump trucks and big rigs, no I did not buy the chains there, just a good old boy disscusion, already had the chains.

Aero Steve, also good point about flying objects and placing things where they will be best used. A shovel doesn't work if it's burried under all your gear and your tail end is sitting in a mud lake.

Also, on the trail your spare does no good under your truck, IF you can stow it up above, you save yourself from sittingon it.