Better out than in they always say, which is not always the case if you’ve managed to spike your tyre during a camping adventure getaway or 4×4 trip with mates. There is a range of handy tools to have on hand for when you’re heading off-road or rocky or muddy terrain, or to cover you for any highway mishaps that crop up when you don’t want to be wasting your time on the side of the road.

Among the availabilities for your adventuring arsenal are puncture repair kits, complete recovery kits, tyre deflators and of course air compressors to help put the wind back in.

Tyre deflators are an absolute necessity for anyone wanting to tackle uneven surfaces, sandy environments, and steep inclines where your 4WD tyres can come in super handy in helping you scale to higher peaks. When you come across slippery, low traction terrain, or hills that are begging to be climbed or are simply in your desired path then letting the air out of your chunky tyres can allow more surface grip and more rubber on the surface you are climbing. As long as you have the correct tools to ensure your pressure is at the correct level, and the ability to inflate them again once as required, then go ahead and let some pressure go and see how much better it makes it for your cruise through the roughest obstacles. For standard 4x4ing it is recommended that you reduce the overall tyre pressure by around 25% of the tyres standard pressure level, and for those heading into more aggressive 4×4 terrain then you will need to reduce the treads by 30-35% to allow more surface traction to keep you moving. Once you have made your way through some 4×4 adventuring and make it back to standard driving ground once again then it is best for your tyres, your comfort and definitely your ear drums if you inflate the tyres back to their original pressure. This will ensure your tyres do not work harder than they need to and become unnecessarily worn or leave a droning noise in the ears of all in the cabin. Now if you have got yourself in too deep already and are struggling to get out, then you may require some extra assistance. This doesn’t always require another vehicle to help snatch you out from a tight spot where it’s boggy or slippery but can sometimes mean you just need to pull out the recovery gear. If you have a winch attached to the front of your car, this can be a huge advantage and a definite lifesaver if you are in deep and don’t have any other 4×4 buddies around you. With the ability to find a solid anchor point and fire up your winch to slowly pull yourself out of mess you’ll spend more time adventuring than trying to recover your rig. Be sure to raid your kit and use all of the safety necessities and options to their full potential and you will save valuable time and ensure your gear is in tip top condition for the next rodeo too. Adding a heavy-duty extension strap and winch dampener are essential to making sure everything goes smoothly during your recovery. Other handy inclusions are snatch blocks to take the load off your straps and tree-trunk protectors so that your straps do not get damaged if being anchored on a roughly kept tree trunk. If you don’t have the option of a winch, then the other items in any decent recovery kit will certainly get you started. First port of call is to grab that shovel and start digging, try to create as much grip around your tyres as possible and dig out any slippery mud that may be in your way, if possible, then have a red hot go at once again using your 4×4’s power to pull you out.

With a simple quick connect tyre inflator and your handy air compressor you can get the right amount of air back in the treads in no time. Some inflators come with the ever-convenient gauge to monitor the pressure as you pump, and others will require you to disconnect the inflator and snap on a tyre pressure checker to ensure you do not over inflate, which of course you should already have if you have gone down the track of deflating your tyres in the first place. It always pays to come prepared.

If you’re enjoying your time out bush or cruising along the highway and notice that one or more of your tyres has decided to let itself down, then you’re definitely going to be in for some trouble if you don’t have the right tools. Most recovery kits come with tyre repair kits, but if not, they can easily be sourced separately and will prove to be invaluable at making sure you can get back on the track in the smallest amount of time. Whether it is a spiked tyre, or damage to a valve, most 4×4 tyre repair kits will have you covered with everything required to patch it up and move on. With inclusions like reaming tools, plug insertion tools, valve accessories, plugs and cutting tools all inside a handy case, this will make an appearance more than once over your adventuring seasons. Knowing how to quickly clean up a small hole, then insert a plug or a patch to keep the air contained, will prove a worthy skill and definitely something you can teach the kids for future reference helping them to gain valuable life skills, that could literally lead to saving lives on an adventure, especially when you’re strapped for time and need to get out of the area you may be stuck.

So, if you’re heading off the beaten tracks and going into the Australian outback in any format, be sure to travel prepared and take your tyre inflators, deflators, air compressor, puncture kits and recovery gear to ensure a safe return for you and your mates. All of these essentials are available at your local 4×4 outlets, so get in and stock up today.