The essentials for touring

[jhiace Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jhiace]

Hey guys,

My partner and I are planning a trip in August 2014 starting on the NSW Central Coast and going up to Darwin with plenty of stops along the way. We are unsure yet on exactly what stops but i'd imagine there will be some rough crappy roads that we will encounter.

What i'd like to know iw what is ESSENTIAL in your opinion that we should carry with us? I am talking about tools, spare parts, cable ties, gaffer tape, axes etc etc.

I want to make sure that we have everything covered as best as we can.

We will be travelling in a 2004 Prado grande that has a 2" lift, 32" maxxis bighorns and a few other bits and pieces. No bull bar or winch and don't plan on buying one.

Any help will be greatly appreciated and hopefully it may assist other future travellers.

Here's what we have come up with so far;

Snatch/Tow strap
Shovel
Compressor
First Aid Kit
Fire extinguisher
Drinking water/food
Blankets
Sockets/spanners
Assotred nuts and bolts
Assortment of cableties
Duct/Gaffa tape
Tyre plug kit
Fuses
Spare electrical wire
Shackles
TRED's/Maxtrax
Axe/Tomahawke
Allen Keys
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Breaker bar
Multimeter
Soldering iron

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

Don't carry spare radiator hoses, put new ones on before you leave.

[fridayman Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fridayman]

Essentials:
Shovel (long handle)
Compressor good quality
First Aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Spare drinking water and even a small emergency supply of rations
Space blanket(s)

Suitable sockets and spanners
Selection of M8, M6 bolts and nuts
Long cable Ties
Duct tape/Gaffa tape
Tyre plug kit
Fuses
Spare electrical wire and connectors etc

Recovery gear of course.


Thats just some off my list

Cheers
Steve

On our current trip I have used just about all the above items except for the fire extinguisher, space blanket or tyre plug kit... So very good list. I would definitely also take a unifilter snorkel sock (or snorkel insert), decent tyre pressure gauge & deflator, multimeter, spare anderson plug in your connector kit, a good jack and axle stand(s), a 2x2m tarp (useful for lots of situations). I have used my gas soldering iron for electrical as well as plastic repairs. For spares I don't carry too much - some belts and filters, and as stated above nuts & bolts, a few assorted hoses (fuel & silicone hoses are good for high temps). Also useful are extra tie down straps, a small chainsaw for firewood, a BBQ grid/plate for the fire, good fly swatters (the stiffer ones work better), hiking/walking shoes, hats, aerosol brake cleaner for cleaning anything greasy and dirty, superglue, hose clamps, grease, that putty metal stuff...

In my toolkit the essentials are:
- good socket set with ratchet, extensions & breaker bar
- ratchet spanners
- Allen keys
- screwdrivers
- pliers
- bfh
- multimeter
- soldering iron

[jhiace Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jhiace]

Thanks for your additions guys, I'll add a running list to the first post.

[jhiace Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jhiace]

here is a list of what i already have but the suggestions you guys are making are a great help and my list will include all your things.

On-Board air compressor and tank
Tow strap
Small shovel
TRED recovery boards
shackles
Gloves
First aid kit X 2
Torches
Fire Extinguisher
Socket set
Hammer

[jhiace Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jhiace]

Steve,

Thats a bloody great idea. I have a small folding shovel that even when opened is still small and was thinking "where am i going to put a long handled shovel" but that one you've linked is a brilliant way to go about it!

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Hey jhiace,

just to add..The long handle shovel....while i don't like recommending brand names... I have found this shovel http://www.bushranger.com.au/diggar-3_piece_shovel.php has been the best shovel i have ever taken onboard, being a 3 piece job you have a small shovel and long shovel, very strong and stores away inside your vehicle in it's own bag.

I have the 4x4 equip version of the same thing. In the storage bag for the shovel I can also carry a half handle axe. http://www.4x4equip.com.au/showProdu...8New+Design%29

Maybe a bow saw and axe would be better than the complications of a chainsaw and fuels

For all vehicles with ODBII I would recommend some tool like Torque/Bluetooth ODB connector, scanguage etc so you can check ECU error codes and rectify them if needed. Yes removing the battery lead might clear the error but you need the code to assist in resolving the issue if it persists.

[chester ver 2.0 Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester ver 2.0]

If you dont want to come at a multimeter a test light is a handy piece of kit

Also loose the axe / tommohawke i fould one of those bush / garden saws to be the must useful. Unless your entire trip is going to be remote a chainsaw is a bit overkill

[Guest Close Guest]

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27422-Recommended-set-of-TD-D4D-120-spares-for-a-big-outback-trip

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?10707-Spares-for-Outback-Travel

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?14520-Basic-spare-parts-for-outback-trip

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?12825-spares-for-big-trip-radiator-hose

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?16657-Spare-Parts-List

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

we head out in 2 days invested in a vital piece of emergency equipment.

http://au.findmespot.com/en/

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

we head out in 2 days invested in a vital piece of emergency equipment.

http://au.findmespot.com/en/

The web site does not seem to list the price. Do you mind detailing the up front and ongoing costs?

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

around $400 depending on plan.

$200 for unit and $180/year which includes track progress and insurance which rescues in Australia are free i believe anyway.

I really like the levels of communication with chosen family or contacts and most of all the sos button if shit goes bad.

heres some links which explains some of the features of what can be done and costs. for me $400 is cheap insurance for my family on the road plus i can be in contact with other family and friends back home letting them know we are ok or not ok.

http://www.findmespot.net.au/SPOT-Ba...ice-Plans.html

http://www.findmespot.net.au/SPOT-GPS-Messenger.html

http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=110

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

^^^^ Like. I got a lot of literature on this when I did an advanced recovery course, I think for a big trip I would go this way..g8 insurance. I read an article once, lay it all out on the floor, if something does not have more than one use loose it and never duplicate eg axe or small tomahawk etc. I'd always go the smallest option possible! With the days of sat phones and above the days of taking tons of stuff are over. I realise this is a 4wd forum and people like all the boys toys but KIS, enjoy your trip, Fridayman has it all down pat (just loose the chainsaw??)

[jhiace Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jhiace]

That does look the goods Zutta and you are right, it is a cheap insurance!

Thanks for all your advice guys. I am planning on having a major service done to the rig prior to leaving to make sure everything is fresh and to identify any issues (if any) prior to leaving.

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

Looks good but I hate the annual fee. For me it would spend 11 months of the year packed in the garage