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Swags on roof racks
Always carry your swags on the roof racks so that the ends face the
sides. This way, if it rains, the water will not seep inside the swag
under wind pressure. Use a ratchet to quickly and effectively mount
them to a basket-style roof rack
Carrying fuel in jerry cans
The safest is way to carry fuel in an approved jerry can is inside the
station wagon behind the cargo barrier. Use a ratchet tie down (webbing
strap) to tension the can up against the cargo barrier. This stops them
moving and rattling on rough roads and is there is a leaking cap you
will soon smell it. It also aids stability as the heavy weight of the
fuel is carried low and directly above the rear axle and suspension.
Make more room in your 4WD station wagon (A must for that outback adventure!)
Most cargo barriers can be fitted in the forward position (behind the
front seats) is there are only two people on the trip. Also, remove the
rear seats, which will give you lots more room for carrying tool boxes,
fridges, recovery gear, etc. This will give you plenty of room,
particularly if a roof rack is fitted, for all your gear and save you
the hassle and expense of towing a trailer.
Daily vehicle check while on a trip
It is important to check your 4WD every morning before leaving camp.
The obvious items are to check oil and water levels and tyre air
pressure, as well as a physical inspection of the underneath of your
vehicle, including the suspension, for any signs of damage. If you have
Polyairs, check them daily and adjust when necessary. We run up to 45
psi in most 4WDs without any dramas. Tyres can lose pressure overnight
from slow leaks and hidden hazards such as sticks or rock damage. A
quick spanner check of suspension nuts and bolts is also advisable in
heavy 4WD conditions. We always recommend carrying a spare set of new
or used shocks for emergency use on long trips.
Cargo barriers as clothes hangers!
Some outlets sell a bracket that sandwiches the cargo barrier and is
effectively a clothes hook. With the barrier in the forward position,
there is normally enough room behind the front seats to fit the
'clothes hook' and hang up your better clothes on coat hangers. Also,
your wet towels can be carried on these coat hangers and will dry in no
time at all. A must when doing those long outback 4WD trips is having a
well-earned shower at the end of a long day.
Roof rack placement for 4WD Station Wagons
All basket style roof racks should be position as close to the rear as possible. This has a two-fold benefit:
1. The load is carried over the rear axle, eliminating detrimental effects on steering and vehicle stability.
2. It
means air passing up over the windscreen and roof areas flows better,
minimising noise and aiding fuel economy and performance.
When
loading basket roof racks, place the heaviest items towards the rear of
the rack. Poly airs will aid the vehicle stability with fully laden
roof racks.
Polyairs
We recommend this product for 4WD owners doing outback trips. Coil
springs are not suitable for offering both a comfortable ride and good
load carrying abilities. The compromise is the air-adjustable Polyair
product. They are a must for 4WDs fitted with rear coil springs.
Polyairs aid load carrying, stability and steering. They are
economically priced and very durable. Most vehicles can use up to 45
psi in them without dramas. Polyairs are available in different lengths
to suit 4WDs with raised height coil springs.
Replacement or auxiliary tanks.
In general, it is much better to fit a larger capacity replacement fuel
tank than an auxiliary tank. We've seen too many examples of
ill-advised customers who have fitted 'the wrong tank' to their 4WD.
With fuel injected and diesels being the norm these days, this is an
important factor as auxiliary tanks for these vehicles require a fuel
transfer system, i.e.: pump, gravity, etc. Consult us before you decide
which tank to buy. It could save you a lot of time and frustration.
Better 4WD seating
It makes sense to improve your 4WD seats by replacing them with
orthopaedically designed, Australian made, aftermarket products. Every
time I go bush in my Land cruiser, which is fitted with excellent
after-market seats, I wonder how many other 4WD owners put up with the
standard units. Quality seats, such as Stratos or other Australian
brands, are a sensible investment in you own health. Costly visits to a
chiropractor or osteopath are not an option! After-market seats make
sense. They can be transferred from one 4WD to another when you update,
and the initial cost of the seats is absorbed over a long period. When
you spend 10-12 hours a day behind the wheel on long trip, good quality
seats are a must, not an option.
Manual or electric winch?
Many inexperienced 4WD owners are wrongly advised when buying winches
for vehicle recovery. Owners are talked into an electric winch when
they do not already own a manual winch. Manual winches are a necessity.
Electric and hydraulic winches are a luxury. Manual winches can pull a
vehicle backwards, forwards and sideways, while electric and hydraulic
winches are fixed to the front of the vehicle and can only effectively
pull forward. Which may not be the way out of trouble. Think about it
before you buy. Electric and hydraulic winches are great for heavy duty
4WD use, but most owners use them to pull other vehicles out of bogs,
holes, etc. Ring us if you need to discuss the best winch option for
your particular 4WD and your intended use.
Vehicle showers
Products such as the Glind Shower are a must for the outback traveller. 
A
decent warm or hot shower every day or two will be more than welcome,
particularly in hot and dusty conditions. We recommend a bracket on the
bull bar or roof rack to hold the shower rose and a pair of swimmers as
the ideal thing for outback cleanliness. Another handy item is a
plastic doormat or similar to stand on while showering so your feet get
clean too - and stay clean while you dry them. And fellas, the water
can be adjusted to a temperature hot enough for a shave.
Carrying water
Several viable options exist for carrying water. The most effective is
plastic square or jerry cans secured behind the cargo barrier with a
suitable ratchet or similar tie down. Other options include the welded
vinyl Float-pac units that can be fixed or portable depending on the
space available. These can even be cable-tied behind and to the cargo
barrier and fitted with an outlet tap. Some also fit in the side panels
of selected 4WDs. The ultimate options are stainless steel or alloy
water tanks mounted inside or underneath the vehicle. These are quite
expensive but maximise the space available and have outlets for ease of
access. Remember that water is a must for outback 4WD driving and
camping trips. And its now bad with a scotch at sundown either!
240-volt power invertors
With the advent of electrically operated equipment, such as video
cameras, mobile and satellite phones, and laptop computers, 240-volt
power is a must at one time or another. A simple power inverter that
converts 12-volt power from your vehicle to 240 volts is a very simple
and cost effective solution. For around $300, a unit will do all of do
all of these things, Heavy-duty units with greater wattage capacity are
available but cost more and use more of your available 12-volt power.
Always link your inverter to your second (dual) battery. A decent dual
battery system is essential for outback trips.
Spare air filters
We recommend the proven Unifilter foam-style air filters for all 4WD
conditions. They are extremely effective and can be easily cleaned and
re-oiled, saving the outlay of a conventional paper-style unit. Many of
them come with an external 'stripper' which is a foam band that covers
the inner unit and is easily replaced in seconds. Buy a few spare
strippers and carry then pre-oiled in a plastic bag or container for
your trip. When you do you daily vehicle check, replace the dirty
stripper with a clean one. This will help your vehicle operate
efficiently and protect your valuable engine from harmful dust
penetration.
Oldfella, 4WD, Caravan, Bikes & Leisure