The Essential 4×4 Accessories for Remote Touring in WA
Exploring Western Australia’s rugged and remote landscapes is one of life’s great adventures. From the red dirt tracks of the Pilbara to the coastal trails of Shark Bay, there’s no shortage of places to take your vehicle off the beaten path. But before setting out, it’s crucial to have the right gear fitted to your vehicle. The right 4×4 accessories can make the difference between a smooth, safe journey and being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Why 4×4 Accessories Matter in WA
WA’s vast distances and unpredictable conditions mean preparation isn’t optional – it’s essential. Remote touring can take you hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest service station or phone signal. The right setup ensures your vehicle can handle rough terrain, carry extra gear, and recover safely if something goes wrong.
Out here, you can’t rely on help arriving quickly. Having the right 4×4 accessories gives you the independence and confidence to explore safely, knowing your vehicle can cope with just about anything.
1. Bull Bar and Underbody Protection
One of the first upgrades most touring enthusiasts invest in is a quality bull bar. It’s not just about looks. Bull bars protect your vehicle from animal strikes, especially on long stretches of road where kangaroos are common. A strong steel or aluminium bull bar also provides a mounting point for winches, driving lights, and antennas.
Equally important is underbody protection. Sharp rocks, debris, and deep ruts can easily damage vital components like your sump, transmission, and fuel tank. A full set of skid plates givesyou peace of mind when tackling rough or rocky terrain.
Standard factory suspension isn’t built for the weight and punishment of remote touring. Once you load your vehicle with fuel, water, recovery gear, and camping equipment, the stock setup can sag and struggle.
Upgrading to heavy-duty suspension improves handling, increases ground clearance, and helps your vehicle maintain better stability when fully loaded. It also reduces wear and tear on your tyres and chassis over long trips.
3. Roof Rack and Storage Solutions
Space is always limited inside a touring vehicle, which is where a roof rack becomes invaluable. It allows you to carry bulky or awkward gear like swags, jerry cans, spare tyres, or recovery boards. For longer trips, modular roof rack systems make it easy to customise your setup with accessories like awnings, rooftop tents, and light mounts.
Inside the vehicle, consider adding drawer systems or cargo barriers to keep everything secure and organised. Proper storage not only makes life on the road easier but also improves safety by preventing loose items from shifting during travel.
No piece of equipment is more important than your tyres. They’re the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the ground, so choosing the right type is critical. All-terrain or mud-terrain tyres are the go-to choice for touring across WA’s diverse landscapes.
You’ll also need the tools to manage your tyres properly. A portable air compressor lets you adjust pressures for sand, dirt, or bitumen driving, while a reliable tyre deflator speeds up the process when you’re hitting soft tracks. Always carry at least one full-size spare, a tyre repair kit, and a jack suited to your vehicle’s lift height.
Even experienced drivers get stuck occasionally, so carrying quality recovery gear is non-negotiable. A good recovery kit should include rated recovery straps, shackles, and gloves.
A winch is another must-have item for remote areas. Whether it’s pulling yourself out of a bog or helping another driver, a winch offers peace of mind when there’s no one else around. Make sure your vehicle has rated recovery points installed before heading off-road.
Recovery boards are another handy addition. They’re lightweight, easy to use, and can get you out of sand or mud in minutes without extra assistance.
6. Dual Battery System and Power Management
When you’re travelling off-grid, power is vital. A dual battery setup ensures you can run fridges, lights, and other accessories without draining your main starter battery.
Modern setups often include DC-to-DC chargers, solar panels, and battery monitors, allowing you to stay powered up for days at a time. This independence is particularly useful for remote WA touring, where campsites and power outlets can be hundreds of kilometres apart.
7. Lighting and Communications
Good lighting makes a huge difference when travelling at night or setting up camp after dark. LED driving lights or light bars mounted on your bull bar or roof rack help illuminate the road ahead, while small camp lights make life easier once you’ve stopped for the night.
Communication gear is just as important. A UHF radio allows you to stay in touch with other vehicles and call for help if needed. For truly remote regions, consider investing in a satellite phone or personal locator beacon in case of emergencies.
8. Long-Range Fuel and Water Tanks
Fuel stops in regional WA can be few and far between. Installing a long-range fuel tank extends your travel distance and reduces the stress of constantly monitoring your gauge.
Similarly, water is critical for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Carrying extra water tanks or jerry cans ensures you’ll have enough supply for the entire trip, even if plans change.
If you plan to spend more than a few days on the road, a reliable 12V fridge is a game-changer. Unlike ice-filled coolers, fridges keep your food and drinks cold without the mess. Mounted on a slide system, they’re easy to access without unloading the vehicle.
Combine your fridge with a battery-powered setup or solar panel to keep it running smoothly throughout your trip.
The WA sun can be intense, so having an awning attached to your vehicle provides instant shade at rest stops or campsites. Quick to deploy and pack away, an awning makes outdoor living far more comfortable. Some travellers also choose enclosed awning rooms for extra shelter during windy or rainy conditions.
Ready to Explore WA’s Remote Beauty
Equipping your vehicle with these 4×4 accessories isn’t just about comfort. It’s about safety, reliability, and enjoying the freedom of remote travel. The right setup allows you to tackle challenging tracks with confidence, explore further, and stay self-sufficient no matter where the road takes you.
Before heading out, plan your route, check your gear, and make sure your vehicle is ready for the adventure ahead. With the right preparation and the right accessories, you’ll be ready to experience Western Australia’s incredible outback the way it was meant to be – off the grid, under the stars, and far from the crowds.
Read more on
MyCarHeaven are on Instagram. Go check us out and do follow us.
Go visit the MyCarHeaven Instagram page. We post regular quality content, predominantly focused on classic cars, supercars, hypercars and car shows. We also feature all our competitions here, where you will have the chance IF YOU FOLLOW US and you follow the competition entry criteria, you could be in with a chance of winning tickets to the best UK car shows, and other automotive stuff.
Go to the MyCarHeaven Instagram account here.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement