4x4 Camping Checklist - The Ultimate Guide
Standard Camping Equipment |
Camping Essentials |
Tent: Ground, rooftop, canvas, nylon, with/without awning |
Ground sheet: Netting, PVC |
Pegs, ropes and poles |
Fly sheet |
Camping table |
Folding chairs |
Windbreaker screens |
Lighting: Lanterns, bulbs for flashlights, 12V, 220V, battery |
Cooking equipment – [see Kitchen Equipment] |
Cutlery and crockery – [see Kitchen Equipment] |
Outdoor shower: Solar or gas |
Camping toilet |
Braai (Barbeque equipment) grid, wood, firelighters, igniters |
Fridge |
Cooler box |
Extension lead |
Gas |
Cooker: gas, butane, other fuel |
Table cloth |
Dust pan and brush |
Camping axe/Standard axe |
Bush saw/Panga |
Sleeping Comforts |
Bedding (sleeping bag, duvet, blanket, pillow) |
Mattress (mats, blow-up mattress, foam mattress) |
Pump for blow-up mattress |
Sheet (useful for using inside of sleeping bag to reduce moisture) |
Vehicle Equipment |
Roof rack |
Brackets for gas bottle and jerry cans |
Bull bar |
Bull bar mounted spotlights |
Tow bar |
Snorkel |
Spare wheel carrier |
Spare wheels |
Dual battery with additional power points |
Packing system |
Off road suspension kit |
Jacking points |
Long range fuel tank |
Jerry cans & spout |
Water tank |
Vehicle mounted awning |
Recovery kit – [see Recovery Kit] |
Air pump or compressor |
Tyre gauge |
Basic toolkit (spanners, screwdrivers, pliers) |
First aid kit – [see Medical Kit] |
Fire extinguisher |
Emergency contact numbers |
Owners handbook |
Spare keys |
Triangles |
Seed net to protect radiator |
Seat covers |
GPS loaded with local maps |
Two-way radio |
Spade for sand |
Axe/Saw |
Hi-lift jack |
Recovery Kit – [see Recovery Equipment] |
Kinetic strap/Tow strap |
Tree trunk protector |
Shackles |
Winch |
Recovery Equipment |
Hi-lift jack |
Jacking plate |
Puncture repair kit |
Wheel spanner |
Winch |
Tow rope and shackles |
Snatch strap |
Tree protector strap |
Spade |
Gloves |
Sand ladders |
Compressor or hand pump |
Tools and Accesories |
Full set of spanners (ring and socket) |
Various screwdrivers |
Allen keys |
Cable ties |
Side cutters |
Pliers |
Long nose pliers |
Vice grips |
Hammer |
Swiss army knife |
Multi tool |
Scissors |
Wire brush |
Steel file |
Saw |
Spare blades |
Nails |
Rope |
Binding wire |
Jump cables |
Lubricant |
Electric cable |
Nuts and bolts |
Duct tape |
Insulation tape |
Two part putty |
Spares |
Spare tube |
Radiator hoses & clamps |
Fan belts |
Brake fluid / motor oil |
Oil, fuel and air filters |
Clutch & brake cylinder rubbers |
Wire & electrical repair kit |
Wire, fuses and bulbs |
Oil: Wd 40 or 3-in-I |
Fuel lines/Vacuum lines |
Pre-filters in-line |
Wiper blades |
Anti-freeze |
Distilled water |
Spare 12v battery |
Voltage meter |
Contact/Super glue |
Lubricant |
Cable ties |
Wire |
Electrical cable |
Can of moisture repellent (Q20) |
Fuses |
Spark plugs |
Kitchen Equipment |
Stove |
Pots |
Pans |
Portable toaster – To be used on the stove and fire |
Kettle |
Water purifying tablets |
Also consider: Oven mitts, several large serving spoons, a spatula, long tongs, a mixing bowl, cooking foil, resealable plastic bags, easy-clean chopping board and zip lock bags. |
Cutlery and Crockery: Plates, bowels, knives, forks, table spoons, tea spoons, bread knife, large carving knife, wooden spoon, braai tongs, plastic containers with sealable lids, bottle opener, tin opener, coffee cups, wine glasses (plastic or glass), flask, toothpicks, potato peeler, serviettes/paper towel/napkins. |
Cleaning equipment: Dish washing liquid, sponge or cloth, scrubbing brush, drying up cloth, wash bucket, plug, cleaning detergent for clothing, clothes line, pegs, trash bags, laundry bag. |
Food |
Food staples – basic provisions, such as: Salt and pepper, onion, garlic, chilli powder, dried mixed herbs, basil, cumin, cinnamon, sugar, oil, margarine, baking powder and flour, vinegar, mustard, tomato sauce, stock cubes, packet soups, biscuits, crisps, sweet, etc. |
Dried foods: As long as you have access to a supply of fresh water, dried goods make the most sense for the average camp; rice, pasta, macaroni, couscous, oats, oatmeal, powdered milk, tortillas. |
Cans: Meat and fish (particularly tuna and salmon), vegetables (baby tomatoes, sweet corn), soups (cream of mushroom, chicken and tomato). |
Things to consider: Yoghurt, eggs, bacon, sausages, ham, white fish, bread, fruit, etc. The amount of fresh food will depend on the camping. Most camps have a general shop where you can restock. |
Clothing |
Comfortable, breathable clothing |
Warm jacket |
Fleece |
Scarf |
Beanie |
Bandana |
Rain jacket |
Thermal underwear |
Pj’s |
Jeans |
Shorts |
Shirts |
Bathing suit |
Sweatpants |
Socks |
Underwear |
Sandals |
Good walking shoes |
Boots |
Personal Items |
Toilet paper |
Tissues |
Liquid soap |
Toothpaste |
Toothbrush |
Shaving soap |
Razor |
Feminine products |
Wash cloth |
Deodorant |
Medication |
Sunscreen |
Hat |
Sunglasses |
Pocket knife |
Hand towel |
Bathing towel |
Insect repellent |
Maps |
Compass |
Guidebooks |
Passport |
Travel documents |
Hand wipes |
Sewing Kit |
Multi purpose scissor |
Money and credit cards |
Camera |
Video camera |
Tripod |
Cellphone |
Various chargers (12V and 220V) |
Medical kit – [see Medical Kit] |
Medical Kit |
Essential tools |
Box of disposable surgical gloves |
Sharp pointed scissors |
Pair of tweezers for removing splinters |
Safety pins |
Bee sting kit |
Thermometer |
Latex gloves |
Heat and cold packs |
Medication |
Aspirin |
Antihistamine tablets |
Laxative |
Sinus medication |
Anti-acids |
Bottle of alcohol for cleaning |
Tissues |
Insect repellent |
Insect bite cream |
Sunscreen |
Lip balm |
Antiseptic gloves |
Malaria tablets |
Roll bandages |
Adhesive tape |
Antiseptic wipes |
Sterile gauze pads |
Cotton swabs |
Sunscreen |
Sunburn lotion |
Burn ointment |
Feminine products |
Razor blades |
Plastic bags |
Storing your kit: When you’ve assembled your medical kit, put it all together in a single, secure box and then keep it somewhere safe and easily accessible. Make sure everyone knows where the medical kit is kept and what is in it. Mark the box with a red cross or something similarly obvious. |
GP’s advice: Be sure to consult your doctor before your trip to stock up on required medication to keep you healthy over the duration of your 4×4 adventure. |
Activities |
Playing cards |
A couple of balls of string – string is useful for all sorts of camp games. |
Binoculars- even an inexpensive pair will help you observe nature more clearly. |
A notebook for keeping a travel journal. |
Reference book – birds, animals, plants and trees, insects |
Cameras – digital cameras are inexpensive and will help you to capture memories. |
Video camera |
Tripod/Monopod |
Fishing gear |
A stopwatch – useful for playing campfire games that have a time element. |
Along with headlamps, it is always useful to bring a few torches to use around camp. |
A book of visual and mental puzzles – they will be useful on the car journey there and back and also at night or if it’s raining. |
If you’re serious about stargazing – take a telescope. Away from the city lights, the clarity of the night sky will knock your socks off. |
Two-way radios – for conversations and good fun for kids games too. |
Get your holiday planning into gear and book an equipped 4×4 today!
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