You’ve booked your 4×4 adventure: a trip along the pristine Broome coastline, exploring Darwin’s incredible waterfalls, or crossing the desert from Perth, and you’ve hired your vehicle, be it a 4×4 rental or a fully equipped 4WD rental car with tent from Red Dirt Rentals. Now you are at the final stage, packing.
Packing for a trip over 14 days in a 4WD car hire can be a daunting experience. Not only do you need to work out what to pack, but you also need to figure out if it all fits, the accessibility and safety constraints, and ensure there is still enough room in the 4×4 for you not to be cramped. In this blog, the expert 4×4 travellers from Red Dirt Rentals give you their tips and tricks on what to pack for your 4×4 road trip.
Less Clothing is More
When it comes to clothing, less is more. The best strategy for a 4×4 road trip is not to overpack. Pack fast-drying items that can be used for different climates.
- Layering is Key: Even when travelling through our tropics of Broome or Darwin. Mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cool, especially if you are on higher terrain or towards the water. Pack a thin thermal layer, a mid-weight fleece or jumper, or a lightweight jacket.
- Quick-Dry Clothing: Prioritise packing quick-dry clothing. Jackets and jumpers made from cotton are slow to dry when wet and bulky. Synthetic material not only packs down smaller but can also be hand-washed at campsites and dries quicker.
- Clothing Cubes: Compression packing cubes and sacks are a great way to save space and also keep clothes clean and organised, preventing items from piling up inside your 4WD car hire.
Pack Essential Items
One of the most important things to pack is essential items. This can include critical safety and recovery gear, as well as any important items you personally require. It is important to ensure these items are stored in a safe, easy-to-access spot.
- Essential Medical Supplies: These should include any medication you require during your journey. We always recommend you keep these and a first-aid kit in an easy-to-access location near the driver’s or passenger’s seat, away from other luggage.
- Weather Essentials: Australia’s weather can get warm, and it is important that you prepare for our weather. Out in the outback, temperatures can reach over 40 °C. Make sure to pack hats, sunscreen, sunglasses (especially if you are the driver), swimming gear (for when you want a spontaneous dip in a deep water hole, water bottles and mosquito repellent.
- Toiletries: When travelling in regional locations, the opportunity to pick up toiletries might be rare. We recommend packing toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos, conditioners and any other essential toiletries before you travel.
- Electronics and Devices: Don’t forget to pack your phone and any chargers your devices require.
Check out our packing list for a recommendation on what to pack.
Pack Smart
Load heavier items (such as a fridge or battery box) at the bottom of the 4×4’s boot or canopy, ensuring they are secure. Once you have done this, you can pack the rest of the car around these items. The great news is that at Red Dirt Rentals, we have already packed the required camping equipment for you, meaning you can focus on packing the personal gear you need. To do this, we recommend using:
- Stacking Systems: If you are travelling for a long period, we recommend packing relevant items in separate containers. Have a container for kitchen equipment, washing equipment, bathroom supplies, food supplies, etc. With these items in boxes, you can neatly stack the car and easily access the items you need.
- Use Soft Bags/Cases: Instead of using hard shell suitcases, we recommend bringing soft bags/cases as these fit into 4WDs much more easily.
- Quick-Access Essentials: Keep a small overnight bag or go bag ready packed with a headlamp, toiletries and pyjamas. This allows you to pull the bag out as soon as you get to your destination, which is great if you arrive later at night.
Rent a Car With a Roof Top Tent
A 4WD hire with roof top tent means you don’t have to pack as much equipment inside your 4×4 rental because the tent is already on the roof! The majority of the bedding, such as sleeping bags and pillows, can remain inside the rooftop tent when it is packed away.
Packing is more than just throwing gear in the back of your 4×4. It’s the final step to make sure your roadtrip is successful. By following our advice, ditching the bulky items, and organising your storage while utilising a 4WD rental car with tent, you can eliminate all the stress of your trip.
Are you ready to start your off-road journey? Book your 4×4 hire package with Red Dirt Rentals today.
