October 15, 20256 min readRoam Idaho TeamGear
Offroad Prep: Don't Get Stuck
Idaho outdoor intelligence and field strategy from Roam Idaho.
The difference between an adventure and a survival situation is often your truck. Idaho's backcountry roads are unforgiving—clay mud, shale slides, and deep snow.
Tires
Stock street tires will get shredded. You need 10-ply (Load Range E) All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain tires. The sidewall strength prevents punctures from sharp shale.
Recovery Gear
If you don't have a winch, you need:
- Chains: Even with 4WD, chains on all 4 tires are mandatory for late season elk hunts. Practice putting them on in your driveway, not in the mud.
- Recovery Strap: Not a towing strap with metal hooks (deadly projectiles). A dynamic kinetic rope.
- Shovel: A real shovel, not a plastic toy.
- InReach/Satellite Comms: You will not have cell service. If you slide off the road, you need a way to call for help.
Roam Idaho Pro Tip: The Spare
Check the Spare. Most people drive around with a flat spare tire. Drop it, check the pressure, and make sure you actually have the jack tools to change it on a dirt road.
Start Your Scout
Don't head into the backcountry blind. The Roam Idaho Map features real-time wildfire layers, private land boundaries, and 3D terrain.
Launch Map →