I often get asked questions from newbies about a plethora of off road topics. Then I hear those newbies tell new-newbies to go talk to me about my recommendations. So, I’ve started a collection of snippets from direct messaging, verbal responses and post replies that have been helpful to people just starting out.

Let me know what other questions that should be added to this list and I’ll happily add them in and answer them. I truly enjoy answering questions.

(This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, maybe someday maybe I’ll earn a little something from the products purchased through these links to break even with the costs of running this blog. 😉 This is at no charge to you.)

What kind of radio do you recommend for comms?

BAOFENG GMRS Radio GM-15 Pro radio is a popular choice among off-roaders of all levels due to its simplicity, durability, affordability, and convenient USB-C charging feature.

Get your GMRS license though, no test… just pay a fee and then you’re considered a good citizen. I don’t think many people care to do that. I’m a ham… so I kinda have to represent the radio community in a favorable and law-abiding light. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/applying-new-license

And… don’t wait long to test the radio… my first radio was bad, and I didn’t know that till I got out on the trails and no one could hear me. I returned it to Amazon and that was when I bought two, so I could test them. they worked.

Buy a radio that is not complicated and that you can quickly learn to use. Sometimes people recommend radios that are just too complemented and overkill for simple trail communications. Pick a radio that others have and that they know how to use well. That way, you can swap tips and tricks that they already know about your particular radio.

Permits/licenses

Grab a State Trust Permit if you plan on using state land. State Trust Land is not public land. The area near Peralta is State land and a lot of land south of that is checker-boarded with State land too. There is a lot of land throughout Arizona that is State land, so having a yearly permit handy is helpful. Get it before you leave, because a lot of areas that require this permit are not within cell range so you can’t buy the permit on the fly over your phone. Here is the map of land usage that includes State allocations: state.pdf (az.gov)

Get a GRMS license for the handheld radio. To legally use a GMRS radio, obtaining a GMRS license from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is required. This license covers you and your immediate family for personal non-commercial purposes. Obtaining the license is straightforward: visit the FCC website, agree to the rules and regulations, and pay a $35 fee. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/applying-new-license

National Parks Pass is free to Military Veterians. It’s just something really handy to have when traveling in case you want to make a quick impromptu trip into one of the parks. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/11-8-2022-lifetime-pass.htm

Bulldog Canyon and St Clair (FR42) OHV areas require a six-month permit from Recreation.gov. Grab one before you go. The permit will give you access to both area’s and has the lock codes for Bulldog. https://www.recreation.gov/vehiclepermits/3332401 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35555

I’m considering getting a GoPro to record trail footage. What do you recommend?

An action camera is perfect for trail footage. I love my Insta360 Ace Pro. I recommend looking into that one… It is a new camera that was just released last November 2023. Everything is updated, including AI technology. Go Pro does not have any new technology and no AI features. Also, consider DJI’s action camera. I don’t know anything about it, but reviews say that it, and the Insta360 are better than GoPro.

I think action camera accessories are a good idea… I have a headband, a chest holder, and a couple of selfie sticks. I want one of those super long 20-footer sticks, but that’s for later. One of the guys from the group has footage with the super-long sticks. Get the action camera before the drone. you’ll get way more useable footage.

My goal is to get a drone but I want my part 107 first.

Don’t wait till you get your 107… you’ll miss out on a lot of life. 😉

Things to keep in your glove compartment

Keep the State Trust permit, Bulldog permit/codes, and your GMRS lic in your glove compartment. Put your dog’s rabies shot record too, in case something happens to your dog or he bites someone. It’s handy if can produce what you need quickly. Rescue phone numbers are a good thing to have on hand. Write then on paper with a pen of people who can come rescue you.  If your phone breaks at the same time as your truck, (i.e. car accident), having numbers written down on paper old school style will be a godsend.

OnX vs Gaia

I use OnX and Gaia equally, for different features the other does not have.

I have been looking at suspensions, rock sliders, and a rear tire swing. What do you recommend?

Spend your money on camera gear…

It’s all about priorities. You can do anything you want, but you can’t do everything. You need to decide what kind of wheeling you want to do. From there, you need to prioritize your mods and purchases. If you want to do rock crawling and aggressive hill climbing, then having room under your tail end for steep departure angles is necessary. This means you must move your spare tire to some other place. Most people choose to store their spare tire on a rear tire carrier. This kind of hard-core wheeling is very niche and only a small percentage of off-roaders pursue this avenue. And it’s typically not a place for newbies to start.

This is the same with suspensions and rock sliders. You will need some kind of basic suspension mods to compensate for larger tires and proper tires are a must. But again, consider the type of wheeling you will be doing and match the type and style of suspension to match that. No need for overkill, especially for a newbie. For rock sliders, the purchase also should be reflective of the type of wheeling you want to do. They are necessary for crawling over big boulders that will crush your door panels and undersides otherwise. But if you are not crawling over large boulders, then they don’t need to be on the top of your mods list. I, admittedly have had a set of Westcott rock siders in my garage for over a year. I just haven’t made the effort to ask for help installing them. But if I haven’t been motivated to ask for help, and I’ve been out wheeling every single week without crushing in my door panels, makes me think maybe I didn’t need to buy them at that time. I will put them on eventually, but it’s the point that I haven’t felt compelled to put them on for the kind of wheeling I’m doing. So, consider the kind of wheeling you are doing and prioritize your spending. For most newbies hitting the trails with proper tires, that is why I recommend spending your money on camera gear.