The Campfire

Most 4WDers opt to carry a dry powder unit. It’s the go-to: cheap, light, readily available at every parts store and BCF, and fair enough—it ticks most of the boxes — but I reckon there’s better options out there.

So, it’s time to let your current 4X4 go. Maybe the family’s grown, maybe you’re upgrading, or maybe the old girl’s just not getting the love she used to. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to sell, and you want to do it properly.

Once you’re off the bitumen, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest roadhouse, and well outside phone range, everything changes.

Before you dive headlong into the deep end, there are a few things every beginner 4X4er should understand. Consider this your glovebox guide to getting started in the world of low-range and high-adventure.

You don’t need to be a jack of all trades on day one, but having a rough idea and the basics of each terrain will limit the shock factor on your off-road adventure.

Beach driving and coastal camping bring a special kind of magic… and a special kind of mess. Salt, sand, moisture, and mud can wreak havoc on everything from your underbody to your camp chairs if you don’t give things a proper clean-up and check-over post-trip.

A solid second-hand 4X4 will take you to places most people only ever dream of and with the right checks, it won’t leave you stranded halfway up a track with a detonated diff and an empty wallet.

When done correctly and sensibly, there really is no reason to have the fear of God surging through your veins when tackling a water crossing.

You’ve spent the day hiking through ancient gorges or splashing in a remote creek. You return to your site—sun-kissed, content… and then your heart sinks.

Let’s talk about what you need to do to get your 4X4 ready for towing—properly. Because if there’s one thing worse than breaking down in the middle of nowhere, it’s being the person who breaks down with a caravan in the middle of nowhere.

If there were a rulebook for camping, here’s what Jess from Adventure Intel Australia thinks should be in it.

PLUS: How to Keep Your Engine Safe