Essential bits of gear that you need in your 4WD to ensure that trip of a lifetime doesn’t cause you the headache of the century!

For most of us, there are a few basic bits of kit that never leave the 4WD; these range from Hercules Snatch Strap to shovels, Adventure Kings Bush Mechanic Toolkit, Kwiky tyre pressure gauges to lump hammers and generally a few bits and bobs in between. Once you’re out in the middle of nowhere, however, it’s these that can be the difference between being stranded, a day’s drive from the nearest town, and a trip into the scrub that’ll keep you smiling for years to come.

It’s not only parts and maintenance gear that can make or break an adventure, but also the little things that can make it more comfortable and safe (we say safe because you never want to be stuck with an unhappy wife in the middle of the desert!). We’ve passed the Akubra around the office to get the low-down from the blokes about things that they never leave home without.

It’s all too easy to walk into your local camping or parts store and think you need duplicates of everything on the shelf – it can be downright overwhelming finding the right stuff. What we’ve set out to do, is shine the spotties on those essential bits of gear, that no matter where you’re heading have a useful purpose in your 4WD. Some of these are mechanical spares that you should never travel without, whereas some of the others are nifty bits of gear that can do a tonne of jobs and make life in the bush much easier. Wherever you go, whatever you drive, check out our list of 15 things you shouldn’t head bush without!

SPARE DRIVE BELTS, FILTERS, NUTS, BOLTS AND TOOLS
I have never set off on a trip without a full set of drive belts, hoses, filters and tools. Add to this a box full of random nuts studs and bolts, specific to your vehicle, and you’re in a pretty good position to get your vehicle going again. Carry a full box of fuses, lengths of electrical wire and a crimping tool for temporary electrical repairs. A stranded vehicle in the desert can cause death – period. Things like this can literally save your life so make the space for them.

SPARE KEY 
A spare key is the last thing that is given any thought and to lose one out bush could not only be inconvenient or costly, but it could be dangerous if you are somewhere remote and on your own. Ideally a spare key should be hidden somewhere on the outside of the 4WD, but it can be hard to do this safely with fancy electronic keys (there may be a risk of damage to the key).

If you’re someone that likes to lock everything, like boxes, spare wheels or camper trailer clasps, definitely keep a spare key for these also. I’ve had to cut locks off because they jam up with dust. Even better remove the lock until you get back to suburbia.

CASH
In an ever growing cashless society, far too many travellers rely on a bank card. Using the card is great; it’s convenient for you and the outback business that you’re visiting. The money goes straight from your bank to theirs, what can go wrong? The answer is, plenty. There are many reasons that an EFTPOS machine won’t work out in the bush as it relies on so many things to operate. There’s machine failure, the telephone line and the link between your bank and theirs, so if any one of these breaks down, that’s it, you’ll be washing dishes!

DIRTY GEAR BAG 

An Adventure Kings Dirty Gear Bag bag is something that you should carry for all the small things that can be useful when a persistent problem may require several goes before you rectify it. Fencing wire might just hold that exhaust up and stop it being destroyed completely before it can be repaired properly. A metre of electrical wire may just repair the damaged power cable that runs the fridge – no-one likes warm beer.

GRILL PLATE 
One thing that never leaves my 4WD (aside from the smell) is an Adventure Kings Camp Fire BBQ Plate. I’ve found that gas bottles never last as long as you intend and if you’re out on a hike, or down river on a kayak you can always quickly set-up the grill on a bed of coals. A little piece of mesh or grill is perfect for boiling the billy or cooking a freshly caught fish. The grill lives under my seat, cost me nothing from a council clean-up and takes up less space than a magazine.

PLASTIC BAGS
Oh the possibilities! A big bunch of plastic bags, jammed under a seat have more uses than a Swiss army knife, full of Swiss army knives. Tape one over your dizzy on a petrol 4WD before a river crossing, store wet recovery gear and clothes, bag up rubbish or simply stuff a jumper in it for a handy pillow. I’ve even found that during a serious storm, with wind-swept rain, that tying a plastic bag over my snorkel head saves a tonne of water ending up in the airbox, ready for me to start the motor the next morning. Plastic bags can be makeshift gloves, socks or in extreme circumstances even a way to carry water.

BEDOURIE OVEN
Some years ago, I made the switch from cast iron camp-ovens, to the Bedourie style one for a couple of reasons. They weigh significantly less than their cast iron counterparts, can store all your cutlery and plates, and you can also use the lid as a perfect frypan. Being spun steel they can be cleaned easily, meaning you can drop oily nuts and bolts in it when making repairs, or fill it full of water to do your washing up. I actually use the lid overturned on a hot plate to make a camp-style pizza-oven, with top results. My Bedourie oven never leaves the truck.

LED WORK LIGHT
An Illumintator 24 LED worklight is not just suited to working under the bonnet. They make one of the most versatile camp lights you can get. You can pick a Illumintator 24 LED worklight cheap, and there’s always a use for them. Whether it’s trackside repairs after dark, lighting under an awning while you set up your swag, or using them to light your BBQ while you cook on the tailgate, there aren’t many mods you can buy under $100 that’ll be as helpful around camp, and get as much use, as an Illumintator 24 LED worklight.

HALF 9KG GASS BOTTLE 
Take one (new, never filled) 9kg gas bottle, chop it in half and you have one of the most versatile camp tools you’ll ever own. When in transit, chuck all your oils and fluid in it for spill-proof storage, use it as a fire pit or an oil pan when dropping your oils trackside or as a spare camp chair or wheel chock. If you’re struck by an urge for an impromptu campsite line-dance, then don’t hesitate to bang away on your very own bongo-drum (warning: other members of your camp may object to this idea).

BITS OF TIMBER
Throughout my travels, I’ve found that a couple of lengths of timber can really save the day. A few foot-long lengths of ply can make a perfect base for a jockey wheel or jack, a makeshift camp chair, and a few 2x4s can even be used to level your 4WD when setting up a roof-top tent. The beaut thing about it is you can store these bits of timber pretty much flat on your roofrack, or under a seat.

WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS 
When you’re out well beyond the black stump and your water tank springs a leak you’re going to need to find an alternate water source – fast! Water purification tablets allow you to take otherwise undrinkable water and through a chemical process, render it safe for drinking. These take up less space than a deck of cards and in an emergency could easily save your life. The risk of not carrying them isn’t worth it in my opinion.

MESH FLOOR 
The ever-reliable Adventure Kings Mesh Floor can be used for anything from an awning or ground sheet, to a shade sail and even as an emergency signal for air search and rescue. Paint SOS or a bright orange V on one side, and keep the other plain. It folds small enough to be put anywhere, but will come in handy time and time again. If you tow a boat, you can wrap your outboard in the thick canvas and store it inside the 4WD away from stone chips to prevent transom damage on rough roads. Wrap your jerry cans up to stop them rattling against each other in your tray or up on the roof.

ROLL OF PARA-CORD 
A roll of rope is one thing that I never leave home without as it can be the saviour on so many issues. I’ve used it not only to tie down awnings and tents, but also as a clothesline strung between two trees. Use it to leash your crab pots, make an emergency splint or just to string up a dome tent or swag that’s broken the poles. Using green sticks and para cord, you can even make temporary repairs to control arms by wrapping several sticks to the broken arm, tightly with the rope.