Vehicle and Gear list for first big Oz trip - feedback appreciated

G'day Duncan, I'll make a start and I'm sure you will get much more advice.

Your list looks pretty good, you've done research.
A couple of questions. What type of fridge? Why a power drill?

I would drop the hand winch. If you are going on the beach it will be of no use as there would be no anchor point. Correct tyre pressures (15-18 psi) and the shovel should suffice but you could add a pair of MaxTrax or similar. Avoid travelling on a beach on a rising tide. If you do get bogged you will have less time to effect a recovery before the water reaches you. About the worse thing that can happen.

For the bottle jack you should have a base to prevent the jack sinking into soft sand. Plywood at least 20mm thick serves well, about 400mm square. You can glue a couple of thinner pieces together to get enough thickness. It could also serve as a filleting board.

You could consider a UHF radio, either installed or handheld, but I don't think it is essential if the budget is tight.

To install your auxiliary deep cycle battery you may find my blog here useful.
And John's blog 'Electricity for Camping' here may also be very useful to you.

Don't forget a good torch. LED type is good and easy on batteries. And I'm sure you will include a camera. This trip is going to be worth recording.
Good luck and have a great time.

While you are looking at camping/travelling gear I suggest you take another look at your tent.

As you are travelling some distance over an extended period of time you need a tent that packs & sets up relatively easily and can stand the odd windy night. Does it suit your travel plans?

If you have the Taj Mahal of tents you may find an onerous tent setting up a little fraying on the nerves.

Hi Duncan,

Think I'd look first to the vehicle. It may come with a suitable jack, maybe a snatch strap. I wouldn't invest in a hand winch - women are far too smart to use them! I wouldn't invest in RACV membership, rather carry a workshop manual for your vehicle and a decent set of tools.

I'd question the power drill - not only is it something that's unlikely to get much use, but there's the problem of charging it. The low voltage ones ( 12V) are pretty ineffective, and require an inconveniently higher voltage (usually about 15+V) to charge them. OR, you need an inverter to provide 240V to use a mains charger. More stuff to carry, pay for, find space for. I have an old 12V one, discarded its dead battery and fitted heavy cable so it can run direct from the vehicle electrics, but I don't bother carrying it.

Solar panels - 120W is pretty minimal (and $130 sounds excessively cheap), and I'd go to 150W or more if $$$ and space allow, and make sure you get an MPPT controller (about 10-15% more efficient than the cheaper controllers.) (Note that the panels used on houses are cheaper but not suitable for charging 12V batteries. You need panels that deliver maximum power at about 18 volts. ) There is one supplier whose name I don't recall that the folks here frequently recommend - can someone please fill in that gap.

Compressor - I think I'd be aiming to spend more than $78 on a compressor.

Led light strip and head torches - good. You'll need a 12V charger for the head torches. Gas stove - yes, but don't forget the gas cylinder, another expense. Don't forget too that for safety that cylinder is best carried outside the vehicle - may call for a roof rack. Again, depends on how your new vehicle is set up.

Allan's mentioned a camera to record your travels. That can lead you to carry some kind of computer to store the pictures on.

Also very important are maps. You can spend a lot of money on them. There will shortly be a new ExplorOz one available covering the whole country electronically in detail. This would lead you to a computer based setup too - more $$$. Oziexplorer software is highly regarded here, though there are lots of options. Mentioning computers is a good way of starting what can become a very spirited debate. A gps equipped computer with Ozi and the EO maps could cost $300-600. ( Aldi currently has a special - a reasonably well hung 10" Windows tablet at $400. That's exceptionally cheap for a windows one. Android may be suitable is much cheaper. )

It's good to have a mate who can get you started with 4wding. It's a whole different liberating experience having a very capable vehicle. You and your new missus should BOTH get experience, and learn what it can do. There's no need to do the spectacular ego stuff, but it's very important to know what tyre pressures to use and when to ask "do we really need to do this?" Your mate may well encourage you BOTH to join a club that offers training. You will enjoy it, and if both of you are comfortable in using the vehicle, it's a great sharing experience.

Cheers

John

I have to agree with others in that you'll need to spend about $200 on an air compressor. A little online research will point you in the right direction as to what brands etc to buy.

Tyres - make sure the vehicle you buy has good tyres for where you want to travel. If not, remember to budget for this.

A basic tool kit is handy. Look at the vehicle and equipment you have (and may need to repair), and put together a small kit with things such as spanners, pliers, screw drivers, socket...

G/Day Duncan,....100s landcruisers are good, but be very mindful of the amount of fuel these buggers use, both the six and V8 go through it like no to-morrow when loaded up or when driving in sand,..I know what the v8s are like..lol,..and as far as parts go unless its something simple its like everyone else its ordered and arrives later.


Good luck with it all and happy travels.


Cheers Axle.

Hi Duncan,
Sounds like you have done a lot of homework and yes your list looks pretty good. maybe consider a roof rack (eg: rhino) to carry spare tyers and Jerry cans to carry extra fuel. Even if you end up with a duel fuel tank vehicle the extra fuel on top is always a blessing. UHF radio is helpful. You don't seem to get the wankers on there out in the back block like you do in the cities. Also have you considered a second battery to run the fridge off as well? Buy a solar shower bag that you can fill with water and leave to heat in the sun during the day. Nothing like a warm shower :) Duct Tape can be a life saver and also spare fan belts, air filters etc, they don't take up much room. There is a bit of 4x4ing in most states but you won't need to stress too much about your lack of experience. It's mainly just sensible driving according to the vehicle you have and what it can handle eg: clearance etc. If you are not towing anything and only tenting it then that also helps with less to worry about. My hubby and I have a Landcruiser 105 diesel now but we have done the GRR 3 times all in (June - July early August) and the first 2 times we did it in a 2002 Kia Sportage. The last time we did it was in the Toyota and to be quite honest with you it didn't seem like the challenge was there. We also tented our way. One trip was for 16 weeks the other for 11 weeks. We now have a 25' caravan but when we want to get off the beaten track we dig out the tent and store the van. I have often told people not to worry too much about what could happen. Just so long as you are prepared. There is always someone around sooner or later. Getting back to the Kia Sportage , Little "K" as we called her took us to: the GRR x 2 going to Mitchell Falls x 2 times as well. We went to Mornington Wilderness Camp as well x 1. Bungle Bungles x 1. The Oodnadatta Track x 1, The Tanamai Track x 1, Cape York on the OTT x 1 and through Arnhem Land to Cobourg Peninsular x 1. People would ask us How. Well we did and all with being very sensible as to what the vehicle could handle. Worked like a charm on the sand and we also did Fraser Island in it as well. Just get to know your vehicle feel comfortable with it and drive sensibly when tackling different challenges. It sounds like you are a listener and take advise on board. You have a wonderful trip and just be ware. One you get the taste for this travelling business it is hard to shake it off during the rest of your life. Hubby & I did our first trip back in the 70's and OMG I'd hate to think how much $$$$ we have spent over the years. But you know what it's worth it an you will make life time friends as well. Safe travels son. :)

A few things...... no mention of hand tools, axe, fire extinguisher and fire blanket plus I would be looking at spending a little bit more money of quality gear that you are going to be using a lot like headlamps, air compressor and camp stove.

When travelling by yourselves quality gear is a little bit more important then when travelling with friends.

For example we use to have cheap headlights when we first started, soon found out spending good money on them not only gave us better light output but 3 times as long battery life..... it is something we use every night while away.

A good quality handheld battery powered LED work light is a must as well.

Hi Duncan,

re tyre repair kit:
- presumeably for tubes, tyres and tubeless plugs, depending what tyres (tubed with split rims, or tubeless). Tyre & tube cement/glue doesn't last for ever so check it before each trip.
You need quality tools: 2 tyre levers, a bead breaker (though you can drive over the tyre to push it off the bead) and - unless you have split rims - a rubber mallet to belt the tyre back onto the rim.
Practice at home - maybe go and find a friendly tyre shop to show you how. Tubeless tyres can be almost impossible to get off with levers. You can put tubes in some tubeless tyres, but again make sure you practice at home and that the rim will take a tube - some won't as they have sharp edges around the valve hole. If your vehicle has tubed tyres carry a spare tube - with the correct valve stem.
Though all this depends on how remote you're going to travel.

$12-$14k will be just in fuel if your lucky.

I'd be looking to install a larger fuel tank = $1200.

Quality and comfortable bedding is also important on long trips away.

You may need to do a few weekend away trips packed with all the gear prior to leaving for the big one. It will help you to work out how to pack things where for easy access without unloading everything to get to it.

Good luck and enjoy the experience.

I hope your first night as a married couple will be like a old tv, 4 wobbly legs and a worn out knob.

You are going to love it! Our honeymoon last year was spent travelling from Sydney to Cape York, across to Northern Territory and back down via South Australia. An awesome 8 weeks that we will never forget, couldn't have asked for a better way to spend our honeymoon.

You've received lots of great info above and the more you read, the more you'll learn. Even years on we are still finding better ways to do things, store things etc, even after all our outback trips!

I'd agree on looking into the bedding, you want to be comfortable, tent needs to be quick and easy to set up and pack away, good quality air compressor, CB, maybe think about a sat phone if you are travelling more remote and aren't overly experienced. Keep in mind how things will pack in the car and ease of use etc - when you are packing and unpacking every day or so, you will soon get over it if you aren't organised! Have a great time, very jealous!

Duncan, one other thing that you may consider is investing $49.95 on Membership of ExplorOz. As a Registered User you are already able to use the forum and some sections of this site, but as a Member you can enjoy access to much more, such as Articles and Blogs. This opens up a lot of information and useful reading for you.

On our recent 14 week trip one of the best things we had was the solar shower ( we actually had 2). The water could be used for showers washing or dishes.
Our top RACV coverage was very handy insurance too.

We used a frypan a billy and a water only billy. Amazing how many simple nutritious meals can be made with just that. Tinned and dried veggies were very handy too.

Maxtraxs (or a cheaper version like we used) were also invaluable.

Mrs S

A First Aid kit I thought would be first and foremost, and suitable for job, if it has been mentioned, I apologize. A good 4wd course would be second on my list.
Cheers.
TonyF8

Thanks everyone for your excellent feedback. As expected there was some great info to be had and it's really helped me along in planning this trip. I'll check in with you as we get closer to the date once we get our vehicle and start fitting it out. No doubt there will be plenty more questions to come!

Cheers,
Duncan

Just as an indication our trip around the block was a shade under 50,000k and cost about $10,000 in diesel and service costs so petrol will probably be more at the inflated outback prices.