5 Tips for the Ultimate Off-Road Experience
As already mentioned, it’s all about the preparation. Plus, getting ready to hit the trails is (almost) as much fun as actually doing it… And it won’t take newbies long to realise that kitting your rig is an ongoing process. From adding accessories and performance upgrades to simple trip logistics, every day’s a school day when it comes to 4x4 experiences.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to destroy your bank balance by doing everything in one go. Upscaling your Landcruiser and camping gear can absolutely be done in stages – and on a budget. The more adventurous and experienced you get, the more you’ll get to know the elements of your vehicle that you’ll want to upscale. The following are five of the most important and should be the ones you tick off the list first, before moving on to more personalised requirements.
Top Tip 1: Prepping the vehicle
Once you leave the tarmac behind you enter a brand-new environment for your Landcruiser (or any other brand) to cope with. The Aussie climate can be brutal – hot and dusty one minute and torrential downpours with the associated mud and bogs the next. Dust is the enemy, causing engine wear and tear, as well as reduced performance.
Trav recommends fitting a Donaldson Airbox to prevent said dust from entering the engine. He also suggests countering the heat with the PDP Intercooler Fan Kit. The latter is especially important if towing, your Cruiser is well-loaded or you’re planning on hitting dunes, dirt roads or any other dusty environment. (So, to be honest, pretty much anywhere out of the city in Oz). This little baby won’t break the bank and will prevent most overheating issues, even in truly arduous of conditions.
Top Tip 2: Upgrade your battery
Not only do you not want a flat battery scenario miles from civilisation, but you’re also going to need the means to charge accessories, boil water and heat food. Sure, you can do without your morning (or evening) cuppa, but it’s those little home comforts that truly upscale an outback camping trip. Never underestimate the power of some hot water to refresh, clean and add that vital feel-good factor.
For this, you’re going to need a battery that goes the extra mile. Trav’s top pick is the Invicta Hybrid Lithium Extreme, an under-bonnet, dual-purpose battery that combines 1400CCA for cranking the engine and a deep cycle battery for powering accessories.
As an additional tip, Trav recommends arriving at your camp spot during daylight hours for an easier setup.
Top Tip 3: Safeguard Your Navigation
While it is, of course, important to know where you’re heading – it’s also just as crucial to know where you are. In addition to keeping paper maps on board (and knowing how to read them!), spend as much as you can afford on a decent navigation system.
The Garmin Tread Powersport Rugged Off-Road GPS with suction cup mount and ram bracket is the ideal navigation companion:
- Specifically designed for off-road use.
- A built-in battery.
- 7” display.
- Pre-loaded with topographical maps and public land boundaries.
- Pitch and roll gauges, a built-in compass, altimeter and barometer.
- The ability to download offline maps with Google images. When your deep in the bush, the ability to check these visuals can be the difference between thinking you know where you are and confirming it without a shadow of a doubt…
Top Tip 4: Invest in a Decent Camp Light
It won’t take long (a matter of seconds once the sun goes down, to be honest) to realise that this is one of the most important considerations for adventure camping. The PDP Dimmable Dual-Colour Camp Light doesn’t just allow you to adjust the brightness with a single touch, but you can switch to red light to reduce announcing your presence to every bug in the vicinity.
The light comes in 300mm, 600mm and 900mm lengths and you can set it up in seconds. With a run time that equals five years of continuous use and simple, press-button operation, it’ll become an indispensable piece of kit from the first time you use it.
Top Tip 5: Prioritise Your Rig Set-Up Needs
The following should also be considered essential for travelling more than a few kilometres from help should the proverbial brown stuff hit the fan…
- A first aid kit: With the basics, such as pain relief, plasters, bandages, antiseptic, wipes, steristrips, antihistamines etc. You should also know (or learn) basic first aid skills to allow you to cope with minor issues and know what to do should something more serious happen.
- A basic tool kit: While you don’t need to become a fully-fledged mechanic, you’ll be glad of some screwdrivers, a socket set, pliers and a wrench set when (not if – you WILL have issues on your travels) something needs repairing. And add a roll or two of trusty duct tape to this list – its uses are virtually endless.
- Comms: The more remote you plan to travel, the better your communication devices need to be. Mobile phones are next to useless once you go bush, so invest in a decent radio (or satellite communication device if funds allow), for emergency use. At the very least, you should have an emergency beacon alarm that will alert the emergency services if needed.
- Recovery gear: Such as traction boards, a tow strap, shackles and, if you’re going full-on remote, a winch and the associated accessories.
Good preparation is the key to maximum 4x4 enjoyment. Perth Diesel Performance stocks pretty much everything you might need to upgrade your vehicle and camping comforts. Browse our shop, check out our great value sale items, read our extensive FAQs and get loads of advice from our extensive library.
Contact us today to discuss any of your 4x4 requirements.