Hala Walla!
Whether you’re new to overlanding or have been doing it for years, the huge range of products and everyone’s different advice can make it difficult to know where to start.
Drawing on our experience in vehicle builds and outdoor travel, we’ve put together a list of essential equipment that should either be carried with you or installed on your vehicle.
This is not a one size fits all checklist. You can add or remove items depending on your vehicle, destination, and style of travel. However, we believe these are the key essentials for anyone heading out into the desert by car.
We’ve divided the equipment into different categories, with each category increasing your level of preparedness and helping you travel farther and explore more confidently.
If you haven’t chosen your vehicle yet and are still deciding which one is right for you, this video should help you make a more informed choice.
Let’s begin with "Level One" or what we’ll call the Beginner Level.
At this stage, your main focus should be developing your driving skills, understanding how your four wheel drive system works, and becoming more familiar with your vehicle’s capabilities, limitations, and angles.
For that reason, we’ll focus on the equipment needed to recover the vehicle if it gets stuck or high-centered, as well as the tools required to air the tires down and inflate them again.
1. ARB Portable Air Compressor
The compressor allows you to reinflate your tires after your trip. Maintaining the correct tire pressure helps protect your tires, and if a tire bead separates from the wheel, the compressor may also help reseat it in some situations.
An air compressor is an essential piece of equipment for anyone traveling through deserts, remote areas, mountains, or coastal terrain.
Compressors are available in different designs, sizes, capacities, and price ranges. We selected this portable model specifically because beginners often prefer not to permanently install equipment on their vehicles. The recommended unit is practical, portable, and made by ARB, a well-established and highly respected name in the off-road industry.
2. Power Tank Tire Pressure Gauge
This excellent tire pressure gauge from Power Tank is highly accurate and provides reliable pressure readings. Accuracy is extremely important, as many gauges on the market can be off by as much as 8 to 9 PSI. An incorrect reading can lead to improper tire pressure and potentially damage your tires.
The gauge can also be connected directly to your compressor’s air hose, allowing you to inflate and adjust tire pressure through the gauge itself.
Heading back at night? No problem. The gauge features built-in illumination and a large, easy-to-read display, making it easy to check your tire pressure clearly in the dark.
3. MAXTRAX Recovery Boards
These Australian-made recovery boards have proven their quality and effectiveness around the world. They are designed to help recover vehicles stuck in sand, mud, or other soft terrain.
They are highly effective and can also be used as a shovel to clear sand from around the tires or underneath the vehicle.
The MAXTRAX Lite is an excellent choice for beginners, while the MAXTRAX Xtreme is better suited for experienced users who need greater strength and durability.
4. MAXTRAX Kinetic Recovery Rope
A kinetic recovery rope should be considered one of the highest-priority recovery tools. It can help free a stuck vehicle quickly and is simple to use. Choosing a high-quality rope like this one also makes the recovery process safer.
Make sure the rope is properly rated for the weight of your vehicle. Its high stretch capacity allows it to store and transfer energy gradually between the two vehicles, reducing the sudden shock load compared with a standard tow strap.
You will also need a rated shackle or soft shackle at each vehicle’s recovery point. Recovery equipment is safety-critical, so always choose high-quality, properly rated products.
5. 20-Liter Reserve Fuel Can
Abu Tammam wrote:
“My regret is not that I nearly perished; my deepest regret is that I did not act.”
Carrying extra fuel is extremely important. Twenty liters can extend your travel range significantly, or provide a reserve equal to roughly one-third of the fuel tank in many vehicles. After God’s will, it could make the difference between reaching your destination and running out of fuel along the way.
Finished preparing for Level One and ready for Level Two? A new list featuring the most important Level Two equipment will be coming soon.