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

1. Bull bar

If you’re heading off the beaten track, this could be the number one accessory you want on your 4wd, 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.

Also, cheap insurance if you factor in the cost of a new bumper, headlights, or radiator if a roo dives at you! Not to mention the time you’ll spend stuck on the side of the road.

2. Underbody Protection

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 underbody protection kit, or bash plates, is a must-have if you’re heading into more remote areas because if you damage any of these components driving out is going to become difficult.

3. Rated Recovery Points

If you’re doing 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 recovery; 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’re stuck but can winch out.

4. Winch

You might think winches are just for crawling up the most hardcore tracks.

But sometimes, things just go wrong. You might drive through that bog hole that was just a little bit too deep, or you might slide off a track into that embankment that you can’t quite drive out of.

Having a winch takes the stress out of these 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 driving in the bush or on the beach, 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 4wd, you should always keep a tyre deflator in your glove box. It’s arguably the most useful tool on any 4wd trip because having the right tyre pressures for various terrain is critical.

7. Recovery kit

Don’t leave home without it. 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 extensions, tree trunk protectors, bow shackles, 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 basic recovery kit with a snatch strap and some bow shackles.

Bonus points for recovery tracks and a high lift jack.

8. 4wd tyre repair kit

You can only carry so many spare tyres, which are also a pain to swap. 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 really compact solution that you can always keep in your glove box or centre console, check out the Ironman 4×4 Air Plugger kit.

9. Air compressor

So, you’ve hit the tracks and aired down, had a great trip, and it’s time to head home. Now what?

Portable 12v air compressors are able to inflate your tyres in minutes, 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. Work Lights

So, you just need that extra bit of light while you dig through the back of your car to find a lighter to get the campfire going.

You try using your mates car to light up the area, but he’s just blasted you with the spotties so you can’t see a thing!

We reckon the Ironman 4×4 LED work light is up there with one of the most handy things you can keep in your car.

420 lumens means you’ll be able to find what you need without going blind. It’s USB rechargeable so you can always keep it powered up while you’re driving and it’s magnetic – perfect if you don’t have kids to yell at while they hold it as you work on your car.

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 on-the-road first aid checklist.

SURVIVAL’s Vehicle First Aid KIT includes SURVIVAL’s 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.

It’s also suitable in the case of Funnel-web bites, the SMART Snake Bandage has already helped protect countless lives.