So you’ve bought your first ever 4wd! First of all, congratulations and welcome to the cool kids club! You now have the ability to see some of the most breathtaking views in the world and get to places you simply cannot go in a 2wd vehicle. Plus, while all of your 2wd mates are sipping latte’s at the local hangout on a Friday night, you’ll now be blowing the froth off a couple of cold ones, sitting around an Adventure Kings Firepit and enjoying what this great country of ours has to offer.

So what gear are you going to need to get to those epic spots? Well, here is a rough guide to what every beginner 4wder needs to head out bush with confidence and ensure they have the time of their lives!

Be track ready:
I reckon the single most important bit of gear anyone can carry in their 4wd is a rated recovery kit. Chances are when you’re first learning the ropes, you are going to get stuck and need a mate or even a stranger to pull you out of a sticky situation and there is absolutely no shame in that- even the most seasoned pro’s get stuck. It’s all part of the fun of learning how to 4wd! The Hercules Essential or Complete recovery kit from 4wd supercentre both have enough gear to get you out of just about any offroad recovery and in the long run, you end up saving money buying a full kit, rather than each item individually.

Chances if you have a bunch of mates you’re heading offroad with, one of them is bound to have a 12v air compressor you can borrow at the end of the day to air back up. But if not, don’t panic- The Thumper Max Dual Piston Air Compressor costs next to nothing and will pump your tires back up faster than some servo pumps. Portable 12v air compressors have so many different uses and can fit just about anywhere in your 4wd, which is why they are so good to have on you at all times.

Camping Accommodation:
Now, there’s has always been a debate on the best way to camp. Whether it’s in a tent, swag, a rooftop tent or even a camper trailer. In my opinion, for someone dipping their toes into the camping and outdoor lifestyle, all you really need is a swag and a sleeping bag.  Swags are cost effective, comfortable and good for both hot and cold weather. Make sure you season it properly and even in the heaviest rainfall you should stay nice and dry.
After you have a swag sorted, then you can start to expand your collection. Add in an awning, mesh floor and a couple of camp chairs and you’re well on your way to becoming a fully set up Adventure King!

Vehicle Protection:
Protecting your pride and joy is something that should be pretty high on your priority lists- especially if you plan to tackle some gnarly tracks. A bulbar should be one of your first items to purchase for vehicle protection. Not only do they protect the front of your rig from wildlife, but they also provide a better approach angle and offer more ground clearance than your standard bumper. Plus, you can bolt a set of good quality set of LED driving lights like our 9” Domin8r Xtremes to the front of your rig very easily and even chuck a 12000lb winch on further down the track so you can head offroad by yourself with confidence!
Next on your list should be a set of sliders/ sidesteps to protect the underside of your 4wd sills and doors. As the name suggests, they allow you to slide over rocks, stumps and other obstacles without causing damage to your sills and lower door trims and they also allow you to stand up on them to access what’s on your roof!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and have fun!