It's the question every 4WD adventurer should ask before hitting the tracks - what are the must-have 4x4 accessories?
You can kit out your vehicle with all the latest gadgets and gear, but there are a few essentials you need if you're going to head off the beaten path, stay safe and have some epic travels. Our experts have put together a guide of the 4x4 accessories every tourer must have:
Recovery
No doubt about it - having a good set of recovery gear on board your 4WD is an absolute must. If you aren't able to recover when you get in jam, or be recovered by your travel mates, you're in trouble. One of the top pieces of recovery gear is a winch. Make sure you get a strap or winch suited to the weight of your 4WD vehicle and one by a brand that is reliable, like Runva or Bushranger. This Runva 4.5X Winch with Steel Cable is a small and compact winch ideal for ATV / Trailers. It is wireless remote compatible and comes with a steel cable. You also have the option of either 12V or 24V.
The Tred GT Recovery Device is a must have for all of you 4WD adventures. Whether you are a beach goer, or like to adventure through 4WD tracking. These recovery tracks will assist in providing you that little bit more traction when required.
Every 4x4 accessories set-up needs a good quality shovel. When your wheels are spinning, a shovel is the tool to clear out the soft dirt and insert a traction device for grip. And a folding shovel fits anywhere! Check out the Bushranger Tri-Fold Shovel, complete with a storage bag.
Air Compressors
A portable 12V air compressor is top of the list for four-wheel drivers, because it can be used for so many different situations. Deflating tyres to tackle specific conditions will help get you out of tough spots and put less stress on the vehicle.
Make sure to choose a light-weight, easy to store, simple to use air compressor. With the right attachment, you can inflate your camp mattress too! Electric air compressors are popular and great value for money like the air compressor range by Bushranger.
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Seat Covers & Floor Mats
The best adventures involve dirt, sand and dust. But these things can slowly damage your vehicle interior if you don't have seat covers and floor mats. The best thing about floor mats is you can simply remove the mat, hose it down and replace it. Too easy!
The Bushranger Dirt Blocka floor mats are a top choice because they feature deep edges to catch all the debris. Depending on your 4x4 vehicle, you can also easily trim the mat to fit your foot well.
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Roof Racks & Platforms
If you want to carry mountain bikes, surfboards, kayaks, rooftop tents and any other large adventure gear, chances are you are going to need some sort of additional storage. And that's where roof racks and platforms are great 4x4 accessories. There's a massive range of designs out there - from roof bars and racks to baskets and platforms for your tray bed.
Front Runner offers a wide range of options for different vehicle models - including roof racks and platforms - so it's worth checking out the best design for your set-up.
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Sleeping
A rooftop tent is the ultimate piece of 4WD gear. Sleeping off the ground means you're out of reach of animals and critters, so you won't get any unwanted visitors in the night. And they let you catch the cool breeze on a hot night. The Front Runner Roof Top Tent is a quick and easy setup, making this a must have for any suitable 4WD. Now if you still do prefer rolling out canvas and sleeping on the floor look no further than the Dometic Pico 2x2 Double Swag. This swag packs away at about half the size of your standard double swags, perfect for the people with minimal space. Dometic have been able to do this by ditching traditional poles and foam mattresses and going to inflatable air poles and mattress, without losing any comfortability.
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Water Storage
Water is the most important thing to bring camping, but why take up valuable space in your canopy, roof or boot of your 4WD when you can have the Front Runner Footwell Water Tank. Perfect for the footwell in the back seat offering a massive 40L capacity! The Lifesaver Jerrycan is a must have while 4WDing. It is a 18.5L jerrycan which has an inbuilt purifier ensuring any refilled water is clean to drink!
Portable Power
Are you needing to run a fridge, lights and charge devices but you don’t have a dual battery setup? A portable power station will be your best solution. The Bluetti EB55, is perfect for a weekend away. Allowing you to run appliances via the 12V socket, the 240V outlets and charge your devices from the USB-A and USB-C outlets. This unit allows you to charge from solar, DC connection in the car and 240V when you get back home.
If you want to run more appliances with higher current draw, you will want to look at a larger unit. The Bluetti AC200MAX would be the perfect option, giving you all the same abilities of the smaller EB55, with a much larger capacity and larger inverter. This unit is also expandable if you require even more power!
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Camping Furniture
When you have been driving all day on trails to get to the perfect camp spot, the last thing you want to worry about is an uncomfortable camp chair. Dometic offer their Go Compact Camp Bundle, which includes two of their extremely comfortable compact chairs, a bench seat and table. Making this perfect for the family, while not taking up too much space. Now if you need something that takes up even less space, look no further than the Front Runner Expander Chair. These are the perfect for ultimate space saving, without sacrificing comfort.
Off-grid Shower
If you want to really elevate your camp setup, look no further than a hot water shower setup. This can be achieved easily with the Gasmate Water-Tech 5 Litre Water Heater, giving you the comfortability of hot showers on the go. To completely top off your shower setup up, the Nomad Shower Tent Awning is the perfect addition to ensure ultimate privacy.
4WD Storage
Looking for even more storage? The Wheelie Bin is a perfect 4WD storage bag. Made from heavy duty PVC, you can throw anything in there - wet gear and rubbish, or recovery gear for easy access. It offers a massive 57-litre main compartment with a moveable divider and two 5-litre side pockets. When it comes to 4WD storage the options or endless with the ability to store items on roofracks, extra tyres or inside the vehicle. Click here for more storage options.
4x4 Navigation
Don't head into the unknown without a 4x4 navigation device to keep you on track. Hema is the brand every 4WD driver should look to. This Brisbane-based mapping company has an on-ground field team called Map Patrol, which has mapped over 690,000km of tracks and 545,000km of unsealed roads throughout Australia.
Check out the Hema HX-2 Navigator for both on-road and off-road navigation. You'll get 40,000 points of interest including campsites, caravan parks, dump points, rest areas, and more. The unit also lets you connect your reversing camera, so there's no need for an additional screen on your dash.
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Extra Fuel Tanks
Australia is a big place, and when you're travelling through the outback, fuel stops can be few and far between. So if you haven't upgraded your fuel tank to be long range, carrying extra fuel is a must. A fuel tank is a safe and affordable way to carry fuel, and Coast to Coast make some good quality jerry cans.
Pro Tip: Think about the weight of your cans when full and where you will store them on your vehicle.
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First Aid & Safety Equipment
You can never pack too much when it comes to your first aid and safety kit. At a minimum, you should pack a fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first aid kit.
You can buy a basic first aid kit from anywhere, but we recommend a looking at the SURVIVAL First Aid Kit range for a more extensive first aid kit.
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Missing something for your next trip? Shop all your 4x4 accessories in our online store.
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
