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!

If you are interested in going on a 4×4 adventure, but find yourself in need of a vehicle, you might want to consider 4×4 hire Botswana or 4×4 hire South Africa to find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs.

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