Category: 4×4 Guides

You’ve just gotten new tyres, lifted the suspension, and equipped a bullbar. You’re ready to go bush, but you’re feeling a little nervous about hitting the trails alone.Lucky for you, there are plenty of 4WD clubs in Perth, Western Australia that help you discover new tracks, gain valuable skills and experience, and meet new people with the same passions and interests.What seems to be a common mistake made by newcomers to the 4WD scene is that more and more are disregarding the idea of joining a 4WD club and hitting the outback alone.To help you make the right decision and to get a better understanding, we discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of why you should join a 4WD club.AdvantagesHow are 4WD tracks created in the first place?Does an individual simply trespass onto someone\'s land and begin carving up a track?One of the biggest benefits of a 4WD club that is often missed is what goes on behind the scenes.As a collective body with a shared passion for 4WDing, clubs are constantly creating partnerships with local governments and land managers to deliver 4WD tracks that are challenging, fun and most importantly - safe for everyone.Get expert training and adviceClubs also provide an abundance of knowledge from experienced drivers who can educate and train you on how to tackle certain tracks, and advise what gear ranges you should be on to ensure your safety is paramount.Credit: 4WD Club WABe part of a movement and contribute to an exciting futureBy joining a 4WD organisation, you are not only apart of a bigger movement but effectively contributing to the future of 4WDing and its development.Stronger in numbers, you are able to work together and negotiate rights to access parks and lands, to fight against possible restrictions and legislations, and to deliver new opportunities for everyone in the community.A great way to explore the outbackEveryone knows the best and only way to truly explore the Australian outback is by 4WD and what better way to do so then to share the experience with others.Get the opportunity to travel with experienced drivers who have traveled far and wide all around Australia and can provide expert advice on how to prepare for a trip, essentials to pack, and hazards to look out for.Join a passionate community of like minded peopleA 4WD club is not your run-of-the-mill office organisation. It’s like minded people who have a passion for 4WDing and adventure.Stay up to date with closed trails, land-seizures, social activities, driver training, equipment advice, legislation and restrictions.Take the opportunity to make some new friends with people who share your passion and hit the road jack!Credit: Albany 4WD ClubDisadvantages4WD clubs aren’t for everyoneA 4WD club is not for everyone and if you are already an experienced driver you would probably spend most of your days helping other drivers out.Travelling in big groups tend to make trips longer. More cars getting stuck, more cars waiting. This can be a deterrent for those who don’t have the time and may not have the patience.General wear and tearTravelling in big groups also means you will be using your recovery gear a lot more which means more wear and tear on your equipment as well as your forbie.You may not want to pay a yearly subscriptionSome clubs have an annual subscription fee to enjoy all their benefits.You can’t stand politicsJust like any other community or organisation with a hierarchy (president, vice president, officers, etc) there will be politics.Some 4x4 Clubs to consider in WAWhether you’re a beginner or a pro there is much to gain from joining a 4x4 club. For everything and anything that\'s 4x4, a club gives you access to a wealth of experience and knowledge, you get to meet like minded people who share your passion and interests, and get to be apart of something bigger.If you’re after some advice on 4x4 equipment including awnings, bullbars, or recovery gear and don’t want to join a club then contact the team over at Total 4x4, your one stop shop for all your 4WDing accessories and more.Albany 4WD Club - Learn more about your 4WD and get involved in a community that is fun and safe for the family. http://albany4wdclub.com/ All Tracks 4WD Club - Located north of the river in Perth. http://www.alltracks4wdclub.com.au/ Adventure 4WD Club - Usually organise two trips a month and has members ranging from novice to pro, and singles to families. http://www.adventure4wdclubofwa.asn.au/ Armadale 4WD Club - Meet once a month and have a variety of trips every month. http://www.armadale4wdclub.com.au/ Compact 4WD Club - For people who have a small to medium AWD or 4WD who wish to showcase their capabilities of their compact. http://www.compact4wdwa.com/cgi-sys/defaultwebpage.cgi Four Wheel Drive Club of WA - Family orientated club for compact and standard 4WD’s. http://www.4wdclubwa.com/ Geraldton 4WD Club - For those interested in tackling beaches and long station trips. http://www.geraldton4wd.org.au/ GoBush 4WD Club - A family orientated club suited for those who want a less formal and more casual club. http://www.gobush4wd.com.au/index.htm Peel 4WD Club - Hold a variety of social outings and 4WD trips.  https://peel4x4club.webs.com/ Perth 4WD Club - Hosts one event per month and offers a lot of encouragement and coaching. http://www.perth4wdclub.net.au/ Rockingham 4WD Club - http://www.rockingham4wdclub.com/phpbb/index.php South West 4WD Club - This club covers Collie, Bunbury, Bridgetown and surrounding areas. https://www.facebook.com/SouthWest4wdClubInc/ Subaru 4WD Club - Club is dedicated to 4WD touring in a subie. https://www.subaru4wdclubwa.asn.au/ Toyota Land Cruiser Club of WA - One of the more prominent clubs in WA. http://tlccwa.org.au/

If you\'re a 4WD enthusiast living in WA then you know that when it comes to off-road adventures, there is never a shortage of options, with some of the longest and most challenging remote routes in the world.As if you needed another reason to go 4WDing, here are 9 4WD tracks to tackle in WA.  Gibb River RoadCredit: AustraliaNorthWest.com Gibb River Road is everything an iconic Australian outback adventure should be. The track begins in Derby and stretches across 660-700 km of dirt, gravel, mud and river crossings until you end up in the town of Kununurra. The tracks difficulty is moderate with a few hazards to lookout for on the way including salt and freshwater crocs that inhabit rivers at Durack, Pentecost, Manning and Barnett. The best time to visit this track is May to October, making sure we avoid December to March due to floods.  Kingsford Smith Mail Run, Carnarvon to MeekatharraCredit: outbackpathways.com Kingsford Smith Mail Run is a historic trail that starts in Carnarvon and ends in Meekatharra. The trail stretches for about 800 kms and takes you through the Gascoyne area where you can visit the world\'s biggest monolith, Mt Augustus or stop by Rocky Pool. The whole trail can take 3 - 6 days to complete with an easy difficulty level that is mainly gravel but can get muddy during the wet season. The best times to visit this trail is April to October.  Mount Nameless, Tom Price https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkt1xQ34ry4Tackle one of the highest 4WD tracks Western Australia has to offer at Mount Nameless. The gravel track is relatively easy, taking around an hour to complete and has an easy difficulty rating. Pay attention to the speed limit as there are a lot of vehicles coming in and out of the mine site nearby. The best time to visit this track is from May to November.  The West Kimberley Crossing For those with more time on their hands, the West Kimberley Crossing track is for you. Stretching across a total of 1135 kms, the track can be broken up into 4 legs:Credit: aptouring.comLeg 1: Broome to Derby 222 km Leg 2: Derby to Fitzroy Crossing 295 km Leg 3: Fitzroy Crossing to Geikie Gorge 40 km Leg 4: Fitzroy Crossing to Broome 396 kmVisit some hidden gems located at each track including Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Geikie Gorge. The trail can take 4 to 5 days to complete with moderate difficulty and consists of gravel, dirt, and mud. The best times to complete this track is from May to September.  Wildflower Drive, Kondil Park, NannupCredit: trailswa.com.au Famously known for an array of rainbow coloured wild flowers during Spring, Wildflower Drive provides a picturesque walk on the wild side. The track is only 2.5 km long and can be completed within 1 - 3 hours by 4WD and 2WD, although 4WD is recommended. During Spring the bushland comes alive with wildflowers lining both sides of the track. There are also 2 hiking trails to experience so get out and stretch your legs. The best time to visit this trail is during Spring from September to November.  Yeagarup Dunes to Warren Beach Track, PembertonCredit: trailswa.com.au  This track is a gateway to the sand dunes that stretch along our beautiful coastline. It is roughly 6 kms long and takes you along a gravel road until you reach the pristine white beaches along the coast. With the terrain changing from gravel to sand, this track is not recommended for the inexperienced and you should have at least 2 4WD’s in case you get stuck. It recommended that your 4WD has a good winch so you know have a way out if you need recovery. Some important things to note, you can drive around the mouth of the Warren River if it\'s blocked, and proceed with extreme caution if it is flowing into the ocean. The best time to visit this track is from September to April, and don’t forget to mount your sandflag!  Lake Jasper, D’Entrecasteaux National Park Credit: trails.com.au Lake Jasper is the largest freshwater lake in WA and can be accessed via a 4WD track just outside of Pemberton and is about 30 minutes long upon reaching Black Point. The track can become dry and sandy in the hotter months but is usually quite easy to navigate. During the wetter months you can expect mud and water crossings. We recommend walking through first as there have been a few deeper crossings. Best times to go vary, winter is perfect for lushes green vegetation and no flies, and summer is great for taking a dip in the lake. If you made it all the way to the coast, you might as drive to the beach tracks that have 4WD access.Find more 4wd beach access tracks in WAJohn Holland Track, GoldfieldsCredit: australiasgoldenoutback.comThe John Holland Track is 680 kms in total and can be broken up into 3 days.Day 1: Broomehill to Newdegate, 200 kms, 2.5 hours to complete. Mostly sealed roads and takes you through the countryside with some scenic views, nature reserves, and Lake Grace. Day 2: Newdegate to Sandalwood Camp, 280 kms, 5 -6 hours to complete. This is where you will experience the Holland 4WD track from Hyden to Coolgardie. Expect gravel, and mud with a few water-filled washaways. Moderate difficulty. Visit a bit of history as you cross over the Rabbit-Proof Fence here Day 3: Sandalwood Camp to Coolgardie, 200 kms, 4 - 5 hours to complete. The track is moderate difficulty consisting of gravel, mud holes and water-filled washaways. This track can be quite difficult once the rain hits as it becomes riddled with mud holes and is not for the inexperienced. We recommend travelling with at least 2 4WD’s incase you get stuck. There are chicken tracks available.  Fisheries Road, EsperanceCredit: Experienceesperancetours Fisheries road is not for the faint-hearted and is quite an advanced track riddled with bog holes, deep ruts, salt lakes, and clay, although there are sandy patches to pick up speed. The track is about 65 kms long and can take around 2 hours to complete depending how wet the track is. We recommend when crossing salt lakes to stick to the main track or you risk potentially sinking and getting extremely bogged. The 4WD section is managed by DPAW and is usually closed after heavy rainfall to avoid any unnecessary wear and to prevent people from getting bogged. If you’re feeling adventurous, make sure you travel with another 4WD who can bail you out.

 With the summer school holidays lingering, so has that camping trip you’ve been meaning to take the kids on but have been putting it off because you need a bigger tent. Camping space can be a bit of an issue especially if you have a big family and can’t all fit in the tent or caravan. If you’re a big-time camper or an avid caravanner then it is probably a good idea to invest in 4WD awning. It is a great way to significantly improve and expand the living conditions by turning it into a dining area, sleeping area or storage area. Depending on how often you camp or do outdoor activities will correlate to what type awning and how much it is going to cost you. 4WD awnings are extremely practical, easy to install, store and setup, and offers great protection from the sun and rain.  Where are awnings mounted?  Most awnings are mounted using an aluminium back plate that will attach to your vehicles roof rack, and is stored in a zipped-up PVC cover when not in use. Most 4WD awnings will utilise telescopic aluminium poles that have a twist and lock function. Depending on your type of awning, identify which poles must be placed vertically and horizontally and twist and lock them into place. Your horizontal poles are usually housed within the backing plate. Most awning sets will also include a number of ropes and pegs, it is always a good idea to peg your awning down if you leave it overnight in case the wind picks up.  Recommended types of awning   Side awnings They are arguably one of the most practical, quickest and easiest to install and setup awnings available on the market. Side awnings are usually placed on the longest dimension of your vehicle with a long rail mounted to your roof rack where it will act as a base for all other components. A second rail will usually have the legs attached to it which need to be pulled out along with a pair of struts that need to be clipped onto each end of the bar. The struts allow for stability and also prevent the awning from flapping about in the wind. If you are looking for a side awning, the Sunseeker by Total 4x4 covers over 4 square metres and is the perfect set for picnics, camping and lazy days on the beach.  Batwing awningsA lot larger than your standard awning, they are designed to cover a huge space due to its long wings that extend out. This type of awning is a lot larger than others and the base requires to be mounted securely to your roof rack. At the back end of the base is a huge hinge that supports the entire awning, this is where the ‘wings’ are attached and will need to be placed towards the rear corner of your vehicle. Like the side awning, the batwing utilises a similar design, making it easy-to-use and can be packed up or setup within minutes. It is the perfect awning type for extra storage space, sleeping area or dining with its large 270-degree shade covering 11 square metres.  Rooftop tent awningSimilar style to the Eezi Awn, this awning utilises a rooftop tent for sleeping, mesh windows and doors, and a step ladder for easy accessibility. The bonus of having a rooftop tent means you are elevated from any creepy crawlies that lurk below and escape the heavy rains. With a little more than just a couple of telescopic poles, the Open Sky awning will cost a little more and may be harder to setup depending on your experience. 

WA’s Top 5 Beach Accessible 4WD Tracks Recently we explored the local 4WD off road tracks ranging from Mundaring Powerlines to as far as Wellington National Park exposing some of the muddiest, wettest and diverse range of terrain Western Australia has to offer. In this article we take it to the sands and explore some of the most stunning 4WD accessible beaches along the coast of WA.1. Tim’s ThicketApproximately 70kms south of the Perth CBD and roughly 15kms south of Mandurah is Tim’s Thicket which is a small secluded beach just passed the dunes as well as a connecting 4WD track. Before entering the track you will have to lower your tyres pressure to prevent getting bogged in the sand. The track stretches for about 2kms south until you hit a small limestone reef which is only passable during low tide so if the tide has come in we recommend turning back. Passing the reef in low tide will eventually link back to Yalgorup National Park and back to where you started. Keep in mind that 4WDing is prohibited in the dunes and is only permitted on the beach and that no other vehicles are allowed including dirt bikes, 4 wheelers or buggies.  2. Preston BeachFurther south of Tim’s Thicket and approximately 60kms south of Mandurah lies Preston Beach which eventually also connects to Tim’s Thicket to the north creating a nice little scenic route. As the track is on sand it is recommended to deflate your tyres to prevent getting bogged. If you are taking the route south you will eventually hit Myalup, Binningup and eventually exiting at Buffalo Road. Same laws and regulations as Tim’s Thicket apply at Preston Beach.  3. Margaret RiverIf you are heading down south with the family these school holidays or just a getaway over a long weekend then Margaret River has some great scenic 4WD beach accessible tracks to visit while you’re there. One of the more popular 4WD tracks is Hamelin Bay Beach, famously known for stingrays coming up close and personal but be wary that the sand is extremely soft so deflating your tyres is a must. There are some easier firm sandy tracks available which include Joey Nose, 3 Bears Track which takes you from Cape Naturalist to Sugarloaf Rock in Yallingup, and North Point which is accessible off Caves Road.  4. WilbingaHeading into the opposite direction and approximately 70kms north of Perth in between Two Rocks and Guilderton is Wilbinga just north of Yanchep. It is currently the only 4WD accessible beach track in this area as Two Rocks and Yanchep are now off limits due to council regulations and new housing developments. The entrance to Wilbinga is a sandy track opposite Military Road located half way between Guilderton and Two Rocks. The track can range from firm to soft, and flat to hilly so make sure you are well equipped for each terrain and it would be wise to travel with a buddy – you do not want to get bogged out here.  5. LancelinAs we head further north, approximately 127km north of Perth we eventually arrive at the famous sand dunes of Lancelin. There are signs of conditions of entry so make sure to read them before entering and note that the dunes are open for 4WDing between 8am to 7am. The dunes are constantly changing depending on which way the wind blows, so it is always different just be weary that the terrain is quite soft so you will need to deflate your tyres. If you follow the track north you will eventually hit the beautiful beaches of Wedge Island, you can also access this beach through the entrance off Indian Ocean Drive.  6. Ledge PointLocated approximately 120kms north of Perth and just south of Lancelin lies a hidden gem off the beaten track. To get to Ledge Point you will need to travel down Wanneroo Road on state route 60 for about 80kms and turn left onto Ledge Point Road.If you see a Lancelin sign you’ve gone too far. The main part of town can get quite busy with tourists so let the air out of your tyres and start exploring the beaches. The sand can be quite soft (10-15 PSI) and boggy with a medium to hard difficulty in some parts, so we recommend travelling with another 4WD in case you get stuck. If you’re planning on tackling the beach in your forbie for the first time, make sure that you’re beach ready to ensure your safety and to give yourself the best possible chance of not getting bogged.  7. Wedge IslandWith new roads shaving off 30 minutes of travel time, getting to Wedge Island has never been easier and is the perfect day trip that\'s just 167kms north of Perth. Travel down state route 60 on Indian Ocean Drive for about 46kms until you reach a new bitumen road that will take you straight into the Wedge Island settlement.You can get to Wedge Island via the beach on a low tide from Lancelin but this is not for the inexperienced as there is little to no room to turn around and you run the risk of the tide coming up. The beaches track difficulty range from medium to hard with the sand being quite soft and plenty of dunes with big drop offs, make sure to scout ahead first and don’t just send it.We recommend decreasing your tyre pressure (10-15 PSI) and traveling with a companion who can bail you out if you get stuck. Make sure to bring recovery gear and a UHF radio as there is no help for at least 45kms. Wedge Island is perfect all year round although we don’t recommend going when its raining.  8. Belvidere BeachBelvidere beach is approximately 2 hours south of Perth and is located 20kms north of Bunbury near Leschenault Inlet. Travel down Forrest Highway and turn right at Buffalo road, from here you can head south and you will eventually reach Belvidere.From here you can also travel along the coastline and connect up to Buffalo beach, then onto Binningup beach and if the ride is low you can stretch it to Myalup and Preston beach. Belvidere is great for fishing, camping, boating, kayaking, and has a few 4WD tracks in the area.  9. Sandy CapeIs located approximately 237kms north of Perth and 14kms north of Jurien Bay. You can reach Sandy Cape on state route 60 Indian Ocean Drive just north of Jurien Bay. You should some signage that will take you to the Sandy Cape recreational area where there is an information board on the nature reserve and marine park.Up until this point, you can tackle the gravel roads with a 2WD but from the information board onwards you’ll need a 4WD. The tracks difficulty is easy to medium with gravel, sand, limestone steps and dunes. The best time to go is during September to April, you can give it a go during May to August providing it’s not raining. Recommend PSI is 16-20 for the gravel tracks and 12-13 PSI for the beach.  10. Yeagarup Dunes and BeachLocated 20kms out from Pemberton and 330kms south of Perth is Yeagarup dunes and beach.To get to Yeagarup beach and dunes, travel down old vasse highway until you reach the turn off at Ritter Road. Follow this down until you reach Yeagarup Lake which is where your 4WD adventure will begin.The dunes are constantly changing with the winds shaping new tracks each day but you should be able to follow them till you reach the beach. The sand can be quite soft at times so you will need to let out some air from your tyres (12PSI or lower).General track difficulty is easy to medium with tracks ranging from soft sand to gravel however, it can quickly change from easy to extreme once you come across Warren River crossing. We recommend traveling with another 4WD in case someone gets bogged.DO NOT attempt to cross Warren River if you are inexperienced as this can be a costly and dangerous mistake. If you are feeling confident, ensure you walk the crossing first before driving through.  11. Calcup HillThe 800m long hill is one of the largest sand dunes in Australia and has claimed many victims in the past with its steep and treacherous climb. Calcup Hill is located 24kms from Pemberton and can be used as an entry point to Yeagarup Dunes at the end of Ritter Road.The tracks difficulty ranges from medium to extreme (when approaching Warren River crossing) but otherwise, it’s just soft sand you have to worry about. We recommend letting some air out of the tyres (10-15 PSI) before you attempt Calcup Hill or the Yeagarup Dunes. Best time to go is in February to April where the weather is perfect and no gale winds.Before heading out to any of the tracks mentioned above it’s a good idea to make sure your forbie is beach ready. Double check your suspension and make sure you have all the right equipment ready to go. Do some research on the tracks your planning to tackle as beach conditions are constantly changing due to soft sands and high winds. If you’re unsure of what you might need or simply after some friendly advice on 4wd accessories advice, contact Total 4x4 today.

Top 5 4WD Off Road Tracks in Perth  With spring finally here we can say goodbye to the mud and the rain as Perth’s 4WD tracks begin to dry. We admit, taking on those challenging muddy tracks can be exhilarating but at the same time extremely nerve-racking for a newbie who has never even experienced the chicken tracks. Whether you are experienced on inexperienced Perth has a lot to offer when it comes to 4WD tracks. Here is a list of some popular tracks: Mundaring PowerlinesArguably one of Perth’s most popular 4WD track is the Mundaring Powerlines which is located approximately 34kms east of Perth. The track incorporates all kinds of terrain including sand, rock, dust, clay and a lot of mud in winter, and usually takes 3-5 hours to complete depending on the experience of the driver. If you are an inexperienced driver we recommend staying away from the muddied tracks as getting bogged or even damaging your precious rig is highly likely. It is a good idea to always check the depth of the muddied track before attempting it to increase your chances of conquering it. Apart from the mud, Powerlines is a great 4x4 track for all ranges of skill level and is a good place to start.  Julimar State ForestBeyond Powerlines and approximately 90kms out from Perth to the north east is Julimar State Forest, a country hill 4WD track mainly consisting of gravel, clay, dirt and a few bog holes. The forest is quite dense and some parts of the track can be very narrow so take it slow around turns and tuck your mirrors. The track offers 2 main hills as well as many small side roads and bends which lead to big open areas, and can take about 4 hours or more to complete including the bog holes. In winter the mud can be quite overwhelming so make sure to bring your recovery gear.  Captain Fawcett TrackOne of the easier tracks to navigate to and through the Dwellingup area is the Captain Fawcett track. It’s located roughly 100kms out from Perth and offers a wide range of terrain to tackle including clay, mud, gravel, crossing creeks and even the Murray River. The individual track can take up to 3 hours to complete but Lane Poole Reserve which is also located in the area with similar terrain can be given a day to explore and complete. Unfortunately, the track has been closed over the winter season to prevent any environmental damage.  Waroona DamJust slightly south of Dwellingup is Lake Navarino or commonly known as Waroona Dam and is approximately 120kms south of Perth. The track offers different levels of difficulty when it comes to terrain including bog holes, mud, bush tracks and gravel. During the winter periods some tracks can get seriously muddy so we recommend bringing the recovery gear and travelling with a partner in crime in case one of you get bogged.  Wellington National ParkA bit of a stretch from Perth but worth the drive is the Harvey Dam tracks. Located approximately 250kms from Perth also offers a wide range of difficulty tracks from easy to extreme and can include mud, gravel, hill ascents and descents, rocks and crossing water. This track can be quite dangerous during the winter seasons as most of the terrain can get flooded so just stick to the well-maintained road and tracks. If you decide to tackle the more extreme ones, make sure you have appropriate suspensions for off-road driving.  

Four-Wheel Driver Accessories: A Starter’s Guide  Now that you’ve got your 4WD and are ready to go, don’t forget to stock up on these key 10 accessories before taking off on your first 4x4 adventure.All those dreams of weekend getaways and adventurous drives are coming to fruition now that you have your own set of wheels. To fully enjoy the experience while still keeping yourself safe, be sure to look into these accessories before heading out.  Bull Bar Ask anyone what is the most important part of your machine, and it’s this piece of metal out front. Considering most 4WDs have all the essential mechanical parts being protected by a simple bumper, and are still vulnerable to the smallest of knocks. As the name suggests, this metallic bar attaches to the front of the 4WD, and gives your vehicle a buffer between what might try to stop you, and yourself. When you’re hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest town, a knock by a kangaroo without a bar could put not only your car in serious danger, but your life. You won’t just look the part of a serious driver, but you’ll be out of harm’s way.  Air Intake Snorkel Keeping an engine away from water is recommended to avoid water ingress, but if you’re going through a water crossing it’s unavoidable. Snorkels lessen the possibility of water getting into the guts of your engine. 4WD snorkels also work a treat when you’re driving in the dusty plains of Australia, helping get cooler, cleaner air into the engine. With all that dust being kicked up into the air, your air intake is amongst all of that. Gaps on the side by the snorkel’s top also force any dusty air you might pick up while in convoy too. If you happen to come across snowfall, snow can build up by your air intake and the radiator, so using a snorkel helps keep quality air into the engine.  Long-Range Fuel Tank You might not be near a petrol station when you’re out and about – especially when you’re far from any civilisation at all. Needing all this extra oomph to your drive when you’re out on difficult terrain takes up a lot of your fuel very quickly. On top of that, towing a caravan or a boat can chew through the rest of your fuel, leaving you with just a finite amount of time with a stock tank. Most extended tanks are lightweight and tough, giving you hundreds of extra kilometres to explore without worry. Not only does it give peace of mind to have that added amount of fuel for the day, but you can plan when to fill the tank up and avoid the unpredictable petrol prices of stations and roadhouses away from town.  Dual Batteries While in normal cases you should be fine with a singular battery, once you need to use your 4WD’s winch or want to add creature comforts like a car fridge, a battery’s charge gets drained quicker. Forget giving your truck a push-start if you’re out 4WDing – hill or no.Setting up a dual-charging system alleviates that concern – the extra battery will be ready to go if the first one goes flat. Camping with some creature comforts requires a bit of power, and that’s where an extra battery also comes in handy. Using electrical devices without draining the car’s battery makes for a less stressful sleep under the stars.  Warn Winch When the 4WD is bogged out in the deep sand of the desert or stuck in wet mud, an electric winch will be your saviour. By finding an anchor point to wrap the metal wire rope around, the winch – built to withstand the weight of a 4WD – is strong enough to help pull out your vehicle out with its motor.  Recovery Gear Sometimes you’ll be stuck in a place with no real anchor to connect your winch to, leaving you bogged and far from the others. Making use of an exhaust jack in places like soft sand – using your vehicle’s engine exhaust to inflate a bag underneath and raise the 4WD from the ground – and sliding some sand tracks underneath will get you back and running. This technique works in mud and snow too.  Lift Jack A 4WD lift jack is another tool that is useful in getting part of your vehicle out of the trouble it’s found itself in. No need for electricity or exhaust fumes, your good ol’ arm muscle will help lift you out. These jacks can withstand a tonne, and can lift a good 48 inches – though you won’t need that much.  Suspension Kit Stock standard suspension of some 4WDs should do for a mixture of normal road or 4x4 use, but once you start adding people, luggage, and any modifications made, prolonged use could add stress and flexing to the suspension, as well as affect wheel alignment. The nature of off-road terrain being unpredictable, you need a strong suspension kit designed to withstand the increased load carrying, as well as give you better handling. The last thing you want is to feel battered around left and right for hours on end.  Driving Lights Your vehicle should come equipped with lights already, though depending on where you plan to drive, things get more difficult under less-than-ideal lighting situations. Night driving or being stuck under bad weather will hinder your vision, and by installing additional driving lights, will help get you through tough spots. LED driving lights and light bars can shine strongly in a concentrated area, ensuring that you see what’s ahead.  Cargo Barriers This last one usually gets dropped off the radar, but can be a key part in safety inside the vehicle. With unexpected terrain comes unexpected bumps, and the contents of what’s inside the vehicle have a tendency to move around with it – a 4WD’s cargo hooks might not be enough to hold your heavy objects back if there’s a collision. While it also makes for a very tidy pack when heading out, this is a great addition to keep heavy stuff away from the front. Find out more about the products and services Total 4x4 offers.