Top 10 things you need for a 4x4 trip in Australia

April 22, 2024

Top 10 things you need for a 4x4 trip in Australia


  
    
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Top 10 Things You Need For A 4×4 Trip In Australia

If your off-road trips are starting to get a more adventurous, this list covers everything you need for a stress-free 4×4 trip in Australia, including vehicle protection and recovery gear.  What you want on your vehicle for a 4x4 trip in Australia  What you want on your vehicle for a 4x4 trip in Australia These first five accessories will give you peace of mind when you’re hitting the (off) road in Australia, keeping your vehicle protected and making sure you can get out of any sticky situation.

1. Bull Bar If you’re heading off the beaten track, this would be the number one accessory you want on your 4x4, and here’s why.A bull bar will protect your vehicle from animal strikes, improve approach angles and provide you with a place to mount other accessories you might need like driving lights, light bars, UHF aerials and a winch.It's also, cheap insurance if you factor in the cost of a new bumper, headlights, or radiator if a roo jumps at you! Not to mention the time you’ll spend stuck on the side of the road.
2. Underbody Protection (Bash Plates) Like a bull bar, it’s all about keeping critical components protected. Rocks, stumps, ruts, and animal strikes don’t mix well with your steering, sump, transmission, and transfer case.A good set of bash plates, are a must-have if you’re heading into remote areas, because if you damage any of these components driving out is going to become difficult.
3. Rated Recovery Points If you’re beach driving or heading to places where winch points aren’t always accessible, these are a must-have if you get stuck. The factory tow points on your vehicle aren’t suitable for recoveries. If you’re using them for a snatch point, they’re likely to break.Rated recovery points are securely mounted to your vehicle and evenly distribute forces across the front of it if you’re getting snatched. They also allow for double-line winch pulls if you need some extra power to winch out.
4. Winch Winches aren't just for crawling up the most hardcore tracks.Sometimes, things go wrong. You might drive through that bog hole just a little bit too deep, or you might slide off a track into that embankment you can’t quite drive out of.Having a winch takes the stress out of inconvenient situations on solo trips that would leave you stranded trail-side.Vehicle recovery in remote locations doesn’t just take hours to arrive; chances are, it will cost more than most winches on the market.
5. Snorkel Ok, so we’re getting into engine territory here, and a snorkel is a great way to protect it.Most people jump to the conclusion that you only need a snorkel on your vehicle if you’re doing water crossings. While it will increase your wading depth, the benefits don’t stop there.The higher air intake gives you the combined benefits of cooler and cleaner air entering your engine and increased airflow for improved performance.This is particularly helpful if you’re driving on hot, dusty roads for long periods or taking your car to the beach.
6. Tyre deflator If you’re heading to the beach or bush, the tyre pressures you drove there with will be too high for a comfortable ride and won’t give you the traction you need off-road.A tyre deflator makes airing down faster by removing your valve core and makes it easy to see your pressures with an integrated gauge.If you have a 4x4, you should always keep a tyre deflator in your glove box. It’s arguably the most useful tool on any 4wd trip as having the right tyre pressures on various terrain is critical for traction.
7. Recovery Kit A good recovery kit will get you out of trouble whether you’re on your own or driving with your mates. You’ll want snatch straps, winch rope extensions, tree trunk protectors, soft shackles, a snatch block and some gloves. Most of this gear goes hand-in-hand with a winch. If you don’t have a winch, you’ll want a starter recovery kit with a snatch strap and some soft shackles. A set of recovery tracks will provide extra traction in mud and sand and a high lift jack can be useful for lifting wheels out of deep holes and track building.
8. 4x4 Tyre repair kit You can only carry so many spare tyres. A tyre repair kit lets you quickly plug small punctures so you can get back on the road in minutes. They’re easy to use and don’t take up much space in your car. If you’re after a compact solution that you can keep in your glove box or centre console, check out our Air Plugger."
9. Air compressor So, you’ve hit the tracks and aired down, had a great trip, and it’s time to head home. A portable 12v air compressor will inflate your tyres in minutes. They take up next to no space, fit behind the back seat of most dual-cab utes and are super easy to use.A must-have if you’re going off-road.
10. LED Camping Lights Perfect for when you need that extra bit of light while you dig through the back of your car and set up camp at night. Our camping lights are some of the most handy things you can keep in your car.They're USB rechargeable so you can charge them while you’re driving and they're magnetic – perfect for working on your car solo. (No more yelling at your kids to hold the torch steady) BONUS ITEM: First Aid Kit If you’re heading off-road, you need a first aid kit designed with weight and space in mind, that won’t compromise any of the items on your first aid checklist.We're big fans of SURVIVAL’s Vehicle First Aid Kit, which includes their innovative SMART Snake Bandage, and specialist equipment to help protect you in the event of a snake bite emergency.The reusable SMART Bandage has easy-to-follow pictogram instructions, to ensure you apply the right amount of pressure to a snake bite wound.