Essential Gear for the Mongol Rally: Must-Have Items

When preparing for a long road trip like the Mongol Rally, the biggest concern is often the gear required. A driver must be ready for any situation, as being stranded in the desert for hours while waiting for assistance is not ideal.

Mongol Rally Gear List: What You Really Need

We initially worried about not bringing enough gear. After reviewing various Mongol Rally posts from previous years, we were astonished by the vast array of tools, spare parts, and gear that others had packed.

Considering our travel constraints, with four of us crammed into a compact vehicle, we realized that lugging all that gear was impractical. Moreover, there was no desire to carry such an extensive amount of equipment.

After providing tips on long road trip preparation, we will now discuss the essential gear we actually brought.

Fortunately, friends and family in the car industry offered invaluable suggestions. Although it’s possible to carry everything imaginable to fix a vehicle, the reality is that not everyone can perform their own repairs.

In many regions, drivers often depend on their ability to repair their own vehicles or can find a mechanic in just about every village. Thus, if problems occur, assistance is generally available at an affordable cost!

Tires

The first decision we made was to eliminate the idea of carrying extra tires. The weight they add can be significant, so one reliable spare tire is usually sufficient. If a flat occurs, you can quickly change it and get it fixed in the next town.

Additionally, it’s wise to carry a couple of cans of puncture sealant. This will allow you to re-inflate the tire and seal a hole just long enough to reach your next destination, providing peace of mind if multiple flats occur in one day.

To ensure an enjoyable journey, prepare your playlists in advance with our Ultimate Road Trip Playlist.

Gas Cans

Driving through remote desert areas can be daunting, especially when you’re uncertain about your route. A wrong turn could mean miles and miles from civilization.

An extra Jerry Can is essential, and a metal one is preferable. Metal cans provide better sealing, are safer in extreme weather, and offer enhanced durability compared to plastic alternatives that may expand in heat.

Initially, we only had one gas can, but teammates from Mongolian Madness, concerned for our well-being, gifted us an extra. Although we never needed the additional cans, they ultimately provided peace of mind in case we ventured off course.

Don’t forget to include a funnel; pouring gas directly from a metal can into your vehicle’s tank is impractical, and a funnel is also beneficial for fluid changes.

Extra Water

It is imperative to carry a sufficient supply of water.

We started with a large, 1-liter collapsible container, but unfortunately, it developed a leak.

Nonetheless, purchasing water is easy; we ensured to stock up on large bottles before departing from any town.

Moreover, pack a high-quality water purifier. A SteriPen can purify water instantly, and for larger containers, we recommend the MSR Gravity Pump Filter system.

Fencing Wire

Driving on rough, uneven roads, encountering potholes, and navigating rivers often leads to something getting loose or torn from the vehicle.

After our exhaust system broke, we utilized solid wire to secure it back in place.

Thanks to a local who provided strong fencing wire, we no longer needed to worry about reattaching our muffler!

It’s wise to purchase a sufficient quantity of fencing wire ahead of your trip.

Fasteners: Ratchet Straps, Bungee Cords, Zip Ties, Duct Tape

After driving 10,000 miles across deserts, mountains, and urban areas, it is inevitable that something will shake loose or break. An assortment of fasteners will be necessary.

Several travelers experienced clips breaking off their roof racks and resorted to ratchet straps to hold them in place.

Others used duct tape to reattach bumpers, while some relied on bungee cords for stabilization.

On any extended road trip, there will inevitably be a moment when you’ll need to secure or reattach something, making it wise to carry a few options.

• Purchase Professional Grade Duct Tape on Amazon
• Pack some Ratchet Straps for emergencies

The Convenience of a Tow Rope

While driving in developing nations, it is common to encounter roads that pass directly through rivers. In some instances, water levels may rise too high for your vehicle, necessitating the assistance of a transport truck for towing.

Additionally, locals are often willing to tow travelers for a small fee.

We were offered tows for less than $5, and we ultimately didn’t require this service, as river levels remained manageable when we arrived in Mongolia. However, it’s essential to be prepared for such situations.

Should you break down in an isolated area, you’ll need to flag someone down to tow you to the nearest town for vehicle inspection. Having a tow rope simplifies this process significantly.

Ensure to acquire a tow rope that can handle the weight of your vehicle.

Roof Rack: A Crucial Addition

If you’re driving a smaller car, as we were, a roof rack with cargo box becomes essential for storing additional gear, camping tools, and luggage.

Utilizing a roof rack helps to distribute the vehicle’s weight properly, preventing an imbalance, and allows you to secure your belongings while staying in a hotel for the night.

Additional Considerations: Mongol Rally Gear

Jumper Cables

Jumper cables are a must; you will likely require a jump at some point during your journey.

Fluids

It’s prudent to carry extra oil, windshield wiper fluid, and antifreeze for top-ups as necessary.

Tool Kit

Invest in a standard car toolkit available at any auto parts store; it typically includes all necessary tools, eliminating the need for individual purchases.

Extra Air Filter and Fan Belt

We carried only these two spare parts. Fan belts are challenging to acquire and are vehicle-specific. Although we hadn’t planned on bringing an air filter, our Irish friends kindly provided us with one of theirs, which we appreciated due to the heavy dust and sand we encountered.

Multi-Tool

Having a multi-tool, such as a Leatherman, is extremely beneficial. It features various screwdriver heads, a knife, pliers, and scissors, making it an excellent addition to your vehicle.

Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer

This might not be something you originally consider, but another team provided us with some, and while in Russia, we sought it out at an automotive store. This metal epoxy effectively seals holes in gas tanks.

Given the countless times we nearly bottomed out, we were fortunate not to create a hole in the tank or elsewhere. Although we didn’t end up needing this product, it will undoubtedly be a staple for all our future road trips.

In summary, these are the tools and parts that proved essential during our adventure.

Have you embarked on a long road trip? What spare parts did you find necessary, and how did your preparations differ? We invite you to share your insights to help us enhance our readiness for future driving adventures.

• Facebook
• Twitter

Travel Planning Resources

As you prepare for your next adventure, consider these tested resources for travel planning.

Find Your Flights: Start your trip planning by searching for the best flight deals on Skyscanner.

Search for Hotels: Discover competitive prices on accommodations through various providers. If you’re in Europe, explore options on Booking.com. For international locations, check TripAdvisor.

Apartment Rentals: Locate affordable rental options using VRBO.

Protect Your Travel: Ensure you have proper travel insurance. Here are our recommendations:

• Safety Wing – For occasional travelers.
• Medjet – Global air medical transport and travel security services.

Activity Planning: For walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more, we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need extra assistance with planning? Visit our Resources Page to discover trusted companies we rely on during our travels.