Time to discuss 4wd accessories

What are accessories? A thing that can be added to something else in order to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive.

So lets look at the Useful first, what is useful to one may be useless to another, but for the sake of this blog lets just agree they are indeed useful.

Air compressor: This a must have piece of gear, and not just any compressor, those 12 volt cigarette socket jobs are for the most part rubbish, sure they may pump a beach ball and air matress and a box of condoms and other light weight items but will they perform time after time pumping up your 4wd tyres? in a word ..NO. they will fail..not if but will. Now while I am not endorsing any brand over another a few of the best ones just happen to be well known brand names, and why? Because they have world wide consumer confidence. ARB, TJM, Thumper and for those that want a engine driven compressor something like an Endless air unit are some really good units. Yes i know there are others.

Ideally you should buy a top quality unit capable of re seating the bead on your tyres if needed. As i have an ARB unit i can only comment on that and say it can re seat a tyre. Quality comes at a price. Don't be a tight arse. Trust me you will regret it if you buy an el cheap and it fails on you when you really really need it.

Recovery Mats:
These are another useful and versatile piece of kit, you may say to yourself i will never put myself into a position that warrants the cost, If you plan going offroad on sand or mud i bet you $10 that at some stage you will NEED them.
Again not endorsing any Brand, But Maxtrax and Treds are 2 of the best out there.
People will tell you that they are rubbish and why should i spend around $200 bucks on the larger Treds or Maxtrax when my sheepskin seat covers or my baby's nappy works just as good. That is just talk from tight arsed gits that refuse to spend cash on something they believe they don't need, because they are "gods gift to 4 wheel driving" and never get stuck.

First aid Kit:
A box of band aids and a pair of tweezers and a litre of dettol is not a first Aid kit. have a look at St John Ambulance kits or Trafalgar kits , but check out your local chemist and seek advice.
And no need to buy a kit that has mini operating theatre inside either, even the most basic kits have shit in them i have no idea what they do . To me a good first aid kit can be made up yourself.
Here is mine i made.

Various sized Elastoplast band aids
Eye washer
Safety Pins
good tweezers
Safety scissors
Electronic led thermometer
Cotton buds
Cotton wool balls
a couple of long wide bandages
Antiseptic cream
Splinter removal tool
Plastic viles of hydrogen peroxide
Paracetamol
Disposable latex gloves
Saline solution
Hydrogen Peroxide

You can put as much as you like in it..personalise it.

Side Awning:
These are excellent, once you have one you will wonder how you did without one.
There are many brands..some really el cheapo in both cost and materials, and some really good brand names.
Most side awnings do require a roof rack or roof bars to attach them.So factor that into the cost.

Roof Racks:
not for everyone, but very useful if you have a largish family and need extra luggage space. Just remember a laden roof rack increases your overall height and changes the centre of gravity of the vehicle.


Cargo Barrier:
Whilst they have a couple of disadvantages such as decreasing useable space (marginally i might add) The Pro's far far out way the cons.
Far too many stories out there for me to cite one in particular but suffice to say they can and do save lives. Do you really want a camping gear missile going through your kids or your head?

Tyre Deflator and tyre gauge:
These are must have items..nothing more to be said.

Winch:
Ah yes, the winch.. While i will get shot down by some for this next bit, this in my opinion.
If you are a part time offroader (and most of us are) The winch is NOT a must have item. I would guess that at least 70% of all 4wd's you see on the road that have a winch are just for show.."keeping up with the Jone's"

I am a part time offroader, however, some of the places i wish to visit may lead me to parts that may and i stress "may" require the use of a winch. And as my wife and I travel alone i like to make sure I have what i need to perform self recoveries where ever possible. So we do have a winch.

So while i say it is not a must have, if you have the cash, then get one.