Living life on the road can be a thrilling and exciting adventure, but it’s important to be prepared for any situation. That’s why we’ve put together a list of essential modifications and gear for prepping our 2023 F550 for life on the road.
EBY Flatbed Conversion
One of the most important modifications we made to our F550 was adding the EBY flatbed conversion. This conversion gives us more flexibility in how we design our living space, and it allows us to carry more gear and equipment with significantly more open space for storage options.
The EBY flatbed is made of aluminum, which saves on weight and maintains durability. It’s built to last, and we purchased two 4-foot undercarriage tool boxes with the flatbed, which give us an additional 12 square feet of storage space.
Recovery and Tool Kits
When going off-road, it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. That’s why we have a recovery kit and a tool kit on hand. Our recovery kit straps include a Kinetic rope , tree soft shackles, and a tow strap. We also have a shovel, maxtrax, a tarp, and jumper cables in our recovery kit. Eventually, we will get a winch as well.
Our tool kit includes all the essentials such as appropriate wrenches, ratchet sets, pliers, sockets, screwdrivers, and a multimeter. This needs to be pared down, but we plan to have any specialty tools that are specific to our vehicle that we may need on the road.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is essential for any traveler. We’ve put together a comprehensive kit that includes bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, and much more. We also have prescription medication in the kit for our pets, as well as a pet first aid book. One of the things we will also be adding to this kit is an AED.
Also, continual medical education should be a standard for anyone that plans to be away from immediate medical assistance for any length of time. That said, Reyes and I plan to attend a first responder medical course later this year.
It should be expected that the more you are on the road, the more likely it is that you will be a first responder in an accident. This has already happened multiple times for us, and we want to be prepared to help in any situation. Also, training is critical for us for those times we are off the beaten path, so we can help ourselves in any emergency situation.
Pet Kit
Since we have two cats traveling with us, we’ve put together a kit specifically for them. The kit includes food and water bowls, a litter box, litter, food, treats, toys, and cat harnesses and leashes. We also have a portable cat tent for outdoor playtime and GPS collars for them while we are out and about.
Get Home Bags
In case of an emergency, we’ve put together get-home bags for each of us. These bags include a change of clothes, a poncho, a trauma first aid kit (separate from the kit above), a Sawyer Mini water filtration system, a headlamp, a fire starter, paracord, a map, a compass, a knife, and a whistle. Additionally, we have shelter items such as an emergency blanket and bivvy, an emergency shelter, zip ties, duct tape, 2 liters of water, and 3 days of food rations. There are other miscellaneous emergency items, but these are the mainstays in our bag.
Lifestyle Items
Lastly, we have some lifestyle items that make our travels more comfortable. We have chairs for outdoor lounging, a navigation system, blankets for cozy nights, a tarp for shade, and a portable projector for movie nights under the stars.
Conclusion
Prepping our 2023 F550 Lariat 4X4 Crew Cab for life on the road has been an exciting journey. We’ve made sure to equip our truck with the essential modifications and gear that we need to handle any situation that may arise. Whether you’re just starting your journey or are a seasoned adventurer, it’s important to take the time to assess your needs and make the necessary modifications to ensure a comfortable and safe journey on the road.
We hope this list gives you an idea of the essential modifications and gear needed for life on the road. Stay safe, be prepared, and enjoy the adventure! Check out our YouTube video on the same topic for more!