A good trip rarely comes down to having the biggest lift, the brightest lights or the most accessories. It comes down to a vehicle that is properly prepared for the country ahead, packed within its limits and set up around the way you actually travel. This four wheel drive touring guide focuses on the decisions that make long days on WA roads, remote tracks and campsite stops more comfortable, safer and easier to manage.
Whether you are heading away for a long weekend, towing a camper into the Pilbara or planning a family run along the coast, start with the vehicle you own and the trip you have planned. A sensible touring setup is not a generic shopping list.
Start with the trip, not the accessories
Touring requirements change quickly between destinations. A couple travelling light on maintained gravel roads may need little more than reliable tyres, a fridge power solution, basic recovery equipment and additional storage. A loaded ute travelling remote station tracks with a caravan has a different set of priorities, including towing stability, payload, water, communications and spares.
Think through your route before choosing equipment. Consider the distance between fuel stops, road surface, expected weather, number of passengers, how long you will be self-sufficient and whether you will tow. In Western Australia, a route that looks straightforward on a map can involve extended corrugations, high temperatures, deep sand or long distances without supplies.
This planning process also prevents a common touring mistake: fitting useful gear without accounting for the weight it adds. Bull bars, winches, roof systems, drawer systems, canopies, fridges, batteries, water and recovery gear can add up quickly. Check your vehicle manufacturer's limits and seek appropriate advice where needed before finalising a heavily equipped build.
Four wheel drive touring guide: build from the ground up
Tyres are one of the most important parts of a touring vehicle. Choose a tyre type and construction that suits the surfaces you genuinely expect to travel, rather than choosing solely for appearance or one difficult track you may drive once. Touring tyres need to balance on-road handling, wet-weather performance, gravel resistance, noise, tread life and off-road traction.
Carry a reliable compressor, accurate tyre pressure gauge and equipment to deal with a puncture. Lowering pressures can improve flotation and comfort on sand and corrugated roads, but the right pressure depends on the vehicle, tyre, load, speed and conditions. Adjust gradually, watch the tyres and drive to suit the surface.
Suspension deserves the same practical approach. A suspension upgrade can help control a consistent touring load and improve ride quality on rough roads, but it should be matched to the actual weight carried most of the time. A vehicle set up for an empty weekday commute will behave differently once passengers, camping equipment and a full load of fuel are added. Correct component selection and professional fitment matter more than chasing maximum lift.
Frontal protection, underbody protection and side protection can also be worthwhile where conditions call for them. The right choice depends on your vehicle and intended use. Consider access for servicing, compatibility with vehicle safety systems, added front-end weight and the recovery points or lighting you intend to fit.
Recovery gear should suit the vehicle and terrain
Recovery equipment is insurance, not an invitation to take unnecessary risks. At a minimum, a touring kit should be based around safe, vehicle-appropriate recovery points and equipment that suits the type of recovery you may need. Soft sand, mud and rutted tracks call for different techniques, and not every situation requires a winch.
A practical kit may include recovery boards, rated recovery equipment, a shovel, gloves, tyre deflation gear and an air compressor. If a winch is part of the plan, it needs to be compatible with the bar and vehicle, installed correctly and maintained. It is also worth learning how to use every item before leaving home. Recovery can involve significant forces, so if there is any doubt about the setup or method, stop and reassess rather than improvising.
Vehicle loading affects recovery too. A heavily loaded vehicle sinks sooner in soft sand, works harder on climbs and takes more effort to extract. Keeping weight low and balanced is a recovery aid in its own right.
Set up reliable power, lighting and refrigeration
A touring electrical system should support the way you camp. For some travellers, a quality portable power station is sufficient. For others, a vehicle-mounted auxiliary battery system, DC-DC charging, solar input and a dedicated fridge circuit make more sense. The right approach depends on fridge size, how long you stay away from mains power, battery chemistry, charging opportunities and other loads such as camp lighting or communications.
Avoid treating a second battery as a simple add-on. Cable sizing, fuse protection, battery location, charging profile and ventilation all need consideration. A professionally installed system is easier to inspect, troubleshoot and expand later if your touring needs grow.
Vehicle lighting also needs a purpose. Driving lights can assist on unlit country roads where conditions allow, while work lights are useful around camp or for trade vehicles. Positioning, switching and wiring should be planned carefully to avoid glare, damaged cables or a setup that is inconvenient to use. Check the applicable requirements for your vehicle and where you travel.
Navigation and communications need a backup plan
Mobile coverage disappears quickly outside major towns, and paper maps still have value when a screen fails or a route changes. Use current mapping, carry offline navigation and make sure passengers understand the broad plan. Before setting off, tell a trusted person where you are going, when you expect to arrive and what to do if you do not check in.
A UHF radio can be useful for communicating with other road users, convoy vehicles and some remote-area traffic. It is not a substitute for an emergency communications plan. Depending on where you are travelling, a satellite communication device or emergency beacon may be an appropriate additional safeguard.
Keep devices charged, but do not rely on a single mobile, cable or navigation app. Remote travel rewards redundancy in the essentials, not duplication of every accessory.
Pack for access, weight and daily use
Good storage turns a touring vehicle from a pile of gear into a workable camp setup. Heavy items should be secured low and as close to the vehicle's centre as practical. Frequently used equipment such as a first-aid kit, tyre gear, torch, rain jacket and recovery boards should be accessible without unpacking half the vehicle.
Roof racks and platforms are useful for bulky, lighter items, but roof loading affects vehicle handling and increases the effort required to pack safely. Account for both the rack system's limits and the vehicle manufacturer's roof-load guidance, including how it applies when driving. A roof tent, awning, jerry cans and storage boxes may be convenient, but convenience needs to be balanced against weight, wind resistance and access.
For utes and wagons, canopies, drawer systems, cargo barriers and fridge slides can make day-to-day packing far easier. The best layout is usually the one that lets you reach essential gear quickly, keeps dusty or wet equipment contained and does not permanently sacrifice the versatility you need at home or for work.
Before departure, run through a simple practical check:
- Inspect tyres, including the spare, and confirm your tyre tools work.
- Check fluid levels, lights, battery condition and any visible leaks or damage.
- Secure every load item, including gear on the roof and inside the cabin.
- Confirm recovery equipment, drinking water, food, medication and first-aid supplies are accessible.
- Review fuel stops, weather, road conditions and your communication plan.
Drive to preserve the vehicle and the trip
Touring is not a race. Corrugations, bulldust, rocks and sand all reward smooth steering, measured throttle inputs and speed that suits the load and conditions. Slow down early if the vehicle begins to bounce, wander or feel unsettled. Pushing through rough surfaces may save minutes but can punish tyres, suspension, mounts, cargo and passengers.
Give the vehicle regular checks, especially after long gravel sections or demanding tracks. Look over the tyres, wheel areas, underbody, recovery gear, roof load and electrical connections. Listen for new rattles. Small issues are usually easier to fix at camp than after they become a roadside problem.
A touring fit-out should make your vehicle more useful, not more complicated. For Perth drivers preparing for a trip, PHC 4x4 can help match accessories and professional installation to the vehicle, load and destination rather than building around a one-size-fits-all package.
The most memorable trips are usually the ones where the vehicle fades into the background and the country takes over. Prepare thoughtfully, leave room for changing conditions and give yourself enough time to enjoy the road.