Have you ever found yourself rummaging through your 4×4, searching for that one item that makes camping life easier, only to realise it didn’t even make the trip? We’ve been there.
After countless off-road adventures in Africa and Australia and a few “we really should have that” moments, we’ve nailed down our must-have gear list. Being minimalists, the equipment we take is both practical and reliable—it has to be.
We travel alone, preferably away from the crowds and often out of range of mobile networks. Just the way we like it.
Whether navigating rocky trails or setting up camp under the stars, whether a camping pro or a first-timer, having functional camping and off-road accessories makes the adventure a whole lot smoother.
Our Top 10 Camping and Off-Road Essentials
Whether you’re venturing off-road or setting up camp under the stars, having dependable gear is key to a smooth, safe adventure. Our top 10 camping and off-road essentials are carefully selected to ensure you’re prepared for anything the journey throws your way.
For our complete list of Camping Equipment and a handy checklist (including costs), download our free Camping Gear Checklist here.
1. Oricom Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) TPS10-6E
Driving in sand, mud, rocky terrain, and on the highway will prompt an adjustment in tyre pressure. Knowing that your tyres are maintaining the correct pressure is critical.
A tyre pressure monitoring system eliminates the guesswork of estimating your tyre pressures.
With real-time pressure and temperature monitoring, alarms alert you when any tyre exceeds your set limits. The sensors communicate wirelessly with the solar-powered display unit.
The Oricom TPMS provides peace of mind and works flawlessly.
You can fit the sensors internally by replacing the tyre valve or go for the quick, external DIY option by screwing the sensor onto the valve.
There are two options for fitting the tyre sensors: an internal fit, which involves replacing the tyre valve, or the quick DIY external fit where the sensor simply screws onto the valve. I opted for the external sensors.
Each sensor has a rubber boot that sits over the valve and the base of the sensor, helping to keep debris clear. Plus, the sensors are IPX7-rated, meaning they can withstand immersion in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes.
The only configuration needed is to set the maximum and minimum pressure and temperature values via the display unit. I’ve mounted the small display unit in the middle of the dash, close to the windscreen, where it gets the best chance to charge.
Another bonus is that the display is easily readable, even in bright midday sunlight. Always check tyre pressures when tyres are cold for accurate readings.
Oricom is a 100% Australian-owned and operated company, and I like sticking with trusted Aussie products.
Learn how we optimized our Isuzu Dmax for off-the-grid adventures in our detailed guide on the Isuzu Dmax camping fitout.
👀 Check out the price here: Oricom Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and use our LIFE15 discount code for 15% off storewide 👀
2. Companion Rechargeable Camp Shower
This camp shower is a game-changer when you’re far from any amenities. Whether you’re bush camping or just need a quick rinse after a dusty trail, it delivers.
Not only is the unit great for showers, but we also use the rechargeable camp shower to fill the overarch water tank via a bucket. Its lithium battery charges via the car adaptor and USB cable.
Once charged, the unit can be taken anywhere and used multiple times as it holds charge well. Two shower heads are included along with a carry bag, and it’s very portable.
💦 Check out the Amazon price here: Companion re-chargeable camp shower 💦
3. Adventure Kings: 200W Solar Blanket + Lithium 120 AH Battery
I am a fan of Adventure Kings equipment. It’s not the highest-spec out there, but for the price, it’s pretty hard not to consider it seriously. And the products do come with a warranty.
Adventure Kings 200W Solar Blanket
The Adventure Kings 200W solar blanket has six panels that fold into each other, making it a compact unit (480mm long by 420mm by 60mm thick when folded up).
The solar blanket charges the lithium battery (via a solar controller to prevent overcharging) when we aren’t driving many kilometres or are parked up for some time.
I chose this flexible solar blanket over a fixed solar panel mounted to the roof for two reasons.
Firstly, I wanted to move the solar blanket’s position without having to shift the vehicle, e.g., when I parked in the shade.
Secondly, the rooftop tent and a cargo basket over the canopy already accounted for my available roof space.
I’ve trialled positioning the solar blanket on the cargo carrier and the windscreen, which is fine when the wind is not up, but the fuss-free option is just placing it on the ground. Remember to remind others who travel with you that it’s not a groundsheet that can be walked on.
Yes, it happened just the once … so I’ve been told. 🤔
🌞 Check out the Amazon price here: Adventure Kings Solar Blanket 🌞
Adventure Kings Lithium 120 AH Battery
The structure and performance of leisure 12V batteries have improved dramatically in the last ten years.
With lithium batteries arriving on the scene, this lightweight, effective option is now a super-popular choice for campers. As prices continue to drop, this great product becomes even more affordable.
The Kings 120 Ah deep cycle battery weighs just 16 kg and has a high/low voltage cutoff, short circuit, and thermal plus overload protection. It can be secured easily when placed inside a battery box.
The bonus is that the battery box has different sockets for charging and operating other 12V accessories.
To give perspective on the capacity of this fully charged 120 Ah lithium, it can operate my 75-litre portable fridge/freezer for around three days without recharging.
🔋 Check out the Amazon price here: Adventure Kings Lithium Battery 🔋
4. Coleman 2.4m Ultra Compact Portable Gazebo
Although car side awnings are popular, they are fixed to the vehicle, so if you want the best shade, you’ll need to keep moving your vehicle.
Instead, we opted for a Coleman portable gazebo, 2.4m x 2.4m. We sit where we want and are not subject to where the car is parked.
We often butt the gazebo up to the back of the Isuzu so we can cook under shade or out of the rain.
To counter the wind, we also purchased two Coleman side panels that fit this gazebo and help to give us respite from the wind. It was fantastic in Esperance but met its match in the Exmouth coastal gales.
The gazebo packs down nicely, and long, solid ground pegs are included.
👀 Check out the price of the 2.4m Coleman portable gazebo here 👀
5. Oricom 12V/24V Battery Sense Monitor
The Oricom battery sense monitor communicates via Bluetooth to share the vehicle’s starting battery status.
This gives valuable peace of mind, especially on remote trips where engine starting problems can be a trip-ender.
This matchbox-sized device is installed between the terminals of your vehicle’s starting battery.
The unit communicates via Bluetooth to an app on your phone and provides vital information about:
- battery health,
- the battery charging system (the alternator’s effectiveness), and,
- the vehicle cranking system as the engine is starting.
This battery information is what I need to know to avoid being stuck in the middle of nowhere. It’s a valuable piece of kit.
👀 Check out the price of the Oricom Battery Monitor here and use our LIFE15 discount code for 15% off storewide 👀
6. GME Personal Locator Beacon
Going off-road where there’s no network signal? Are you concerned for your safety should an emergency arise?
The GME PLB is a lightweight emergency locator beacon and our lifeline when our safety is compromised.
Once activated, the PLB communicates via satellites and sends our position to a central emergency response centre, where local emergency services near us are notified of an emergency and search for our position.
When driving, we store the GME PLB Model MT610G in the glove box, and on hikes, it is tucked away in our backpack, so it is always readily available. It is about the size of a pack of playing cards, rated to IP 68 and has a 7-year battery life.
Remember to register your beacon and take it with you when you’re off the beaten path.
🆘 Check out the Amazon price of the GME Personal Locator Beacon here 🆘
7. Wanderer Levelling Ramps
Another handy item is our levelling ramps. We carried this idea through after our year of motorhoming through Europe, when we used them a lot.
Sleeping on odd angles because the vehicle is not level sets you up for a pretty ordinary night’s sleep, and it’s just plain uncomfortable. No longer.
Using levelling ramps when using a rooftop tent just makes sense.
👀 Check out the price of the Wanderer Levelling Ramps here 👀
8. Oricom UHF305 UHF CB Radio + Black 6.5dBi Antenna
The Oricom UHF radio ticks all the boxes for having the means to communicate for safe overtaking of road trains or to talk to other drivers. It’s also another means to ‘holler for help‘ if needed.
This compact 5-watt unit, roughly the size of a pack of cards, is discretely mounted low down on the head unit of our Isuzu. It is sold as a value pack with an 830mm long antenna.
It’s simple to install and has a 3-year warranty for extra peace of mind.
👀 Check out the price of the Oricom UHF Value Pack here and use our LIFE15 discount code for 15% off storewide 👀
9. Adventure Kings Thumper 12v Air Compressor
An air compressor is crucial for adjusting tyre pressures when transitioning between terrains like sand and rock. At some point, re-inflation is needed, and this is a job for a 12V air compressor.
I have the Kings 12V 160 litre/minute air compressor instead of its beefier big brother, which punches out 300 litre/minute. My unit is smaller and lighter, and I still have fast inflation for my 245/70/16 tyres.
As I bought the ‘bundle’, an 8m long rubber air hose with an in-built pressure gauge was included.
🛞 Check out the Amazon price here: Adventure Kings Compressor 🛞
10. TRED GT Recovery Tracks
When navigating sandy beaches, muddy trails, or rocky terrain, getting stuck is almost inevitable at some point. That’s where recovery tracks come in, and we’ve thrown our weight behind the TRED GT model.
These durable, reinforced tracks, 1085mm long x 312mm wide and 62mm high, fit snugly on my roof rack and are easily accessible.
Recovery Tracks are easy to use and quick to set up by simply placing them under your tyres and gently accelerating—no winches or tow ropes required. They’ve saved us from being bogged down on more than one occasion.
Recovery tracks are an essential kit for any off-road adventure. TRED recovery tracks are Australian-made and come with a lifetime warranty.
👀 Check out the Amazon price of the TRED GT tracks here 👀
📋 Read our top tips on How To Plan A Road Trip for a smoother adventure
Our Top 10 Camping and 4×4 Offroad Gear … That’s a Wrap
Whether you’re heading deep into the bush or setting up camp for a weekend getaway, having the right gear makes all the difference. These ten 4×4 and camping essentials have been our go-to companions on countless off-road trips, making life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
We’ve found that investing in practical, reliable gear upfront saves you hassles down the road. So, consider these for your kit if you’re prepping for your next road trip adventure.
For a bit of inspiration to fuel your next journey, check out our collection of road trip quotes that capture the essence of adventure and don’t forget to take a couple of games for fun times on the road!
Do you have camping gear or off-road accessories that are game-changers? We’d love to hear about it! Leave us a comment below. Safe travels!
And don’t forget to download our Free Camping Gear Checklist below:
Planning Your Travels?
These are the travel resources we recommend and use when planning our trips.
- 🚘 Car Hire: We use DiscoverCars.com
- Motorhome/Campervan Rental: We highly recommend the Motorhome Republic
- 🪪 Order your International Driver’s Licence online here
- ✈️ Flights: Find flights on Skyscanner
- 🛏 Book Accommodation: We use Booking.com to find accommodation that suits our budget
- 🐶 Pet Sitting/Pet Sitters: Check Out TrustedHousesitters here (Use our Discount code: LIFEJOURNEY25 for 25% off. )
- Activities and Experiences: Get Your Guide and Viator
- Travel Insurance: Safetywing or World Nomads
- 🥾 Travel Gear and Accessories: Check out our top picks here — Lifejourney4two page on Amazon
For a more thorough list, visit our Travel Resources page here.
