Australia is known as the island continent, and for good reason, measuring over 4000km wide and just over 3600km from the most northerly cape to the most southerly tip. With all of this space and less population than California, it’s truly a wonder why, whenever you go camping all of the campsites are packed!

But don’t fear, you aren’t sentenced to a life lived like a school of fish, we have the perfect solution. By getting you and the family into a 4WD you can access the vast untouched national parks and remote regions of this country and gain a greater appreciation for those who lived here long before wifi and air conditioning. Some people might say a 4WD is only for farmers and people who live in the bush isn’t it? NO! and the argument about fuel economy went out the window with modern common rail computer controlled turbo diesels sometimes delivering under 10L/100km fuel economy, when you find out just what a 4WD can do for you, you’ll be wondering why you never had one before.

1. Traction
Many vehicles are marketed as 4WD, and whilst some do have all 4 wheels driven, could be considered and “all wheel drive” these are designed for extra grip and power delivery in the wet, however a true 4WD usually has a reinforced drive train, and can handle the varying torque loads encountered off-road.

Usually a true 4WD has a method of engaging and disengaging the 4WD function allowing it to use less fuel on the freeway and will also have an option of low range gearing, which to put it simply, will turn your 4WD into a low speed tractor, giving plenty of extra grip and power when you are in slippery situations.

There are a few tips and tricks 4WDers use to gain even more traction, like differential lockers, limited slip differentials and even traction control systems, however the biggest secret to getting further off-road is to lower your tyre pressures using a purpose designed tyre pressure gauge like the Kwiky Tyre Deflator. This can nearly double your vehicles tyre contact area meaning you will float above soft terrain and have extra purchase on soft terrain. This trick will get you to your destination no matter how rugged the tracks are!

2.Clearance

A Typical 4WD has an elevated ground clearance, which offers you plenty of room underneath your vehicle to avoid being “high sided” a term that describes being bottomed out on the tracks by an obstacle like a big rock or sand. Usually a true 4WD will offer 30cm or more of ground clearance under the body with some suspension components hanging lower.

Rugged tracks will challenge this clearance and could end up resting a 4WD on its belly pan, so a good set of underbody bash plates and even a 2” Lift Kit, like the highly affordable Raw Suspension kits which contain everything you need to get your vehicle a little bit more ground clearance for off-road.

However even the most equipped vehicles get stuck and by bringing a Recovery kit and an offroad jack and jacking base, you will be surprised at just what a basic vehicle with minimal modifications can do!

3. Durability

Typical 4WDs are engineered to have stronger frames, motors, gearbox’s, suspension and body panels. These are all designed to cope with the forces encountered on the tracks. The durability also makes sure that bumps and scrapes do not leave souvenirs on the track for the next vehicles that are coming through to find.

Usually the motors are stronger and require less maintenance, with many people being able to get old Toyota Landcruiser motors up and over 1,000,000 km before retiring them. The longevity and reliability of a 4WD makes them perfect for travelling longer distances into the arid regions, and the extended range fuel tanks often make them the perfect vehicles for mining, and farming applications. This reliability makes the journey trouble free and enjoyable, even in mostly uninhabitable environments!

4. Storage

With the larger size of 4WD’s being typically necessary to carry the larger capacity motors and reinforced gearbox’s, there is plenty of internal storage space to stash all your creature camping comforts.

Now you have decided to get away from caravan parks and busy urban campsites, you’ll need to bring some of those comforts and amenities with you on the tracks. With a Privacy Tent, 12v shower and portable flushing toilet, the better half will be happy to join you no matter where you end up!

Being able to stash all of your creature comfort camping gear organized in the back of your car in a set of Titan rear drawers will help to keep everything easy to access no matter how far you are travelling. And with a heavy duty fridge slide included, even icy cold drinks will be on hand at any given moment!

Get your family away from the crowds and enjoy quieter and more pristine campsites, with a tough 4WD and gear from 4WD Supacentre!