A remote trip has a way of finding the weak point in a vehicle setup. It might be a tyre damaged 200 kilometres from the next roadhouse, a bog hole after unexpected rain, or a flat battery at camp. The best accessories for remote area touring are not necessarily the flashiest items on the shelf. They are the gear that keeps your 4WD moving safely, protects the vehicle from avoidable damage and gives you options when help is a long way off.
For WA touring, start with how you actually travel. A lightly loaded weekend trip through the south-west needs a different setup to a fully loaded LandCruiser heading north through the Pilbara or across the Gibb River Road. Weight, vehicle payload, passenger numbers, route, season and towing all matter. Buy gear that suits the trip, then make sure the vehicle is mechanically ready to carry and use it.
Best accessories for remote area touring: start with recovery
Recovery gear belongs in every touring vehicle, but it must suit the vehicle and the conditions. A recovery kit should include rated recovery points, a recovery strap or kinetic rope, rated shackles or soft shackles, a dampener, gloves and a shovel. Recovery boards are also worthwhile for sand, mud and loose tracks, particularly when travelling solo or in convoy with limited recovery options.
The important part is not simply owning the gear. Factory tie-down points are not automatically rated recovery points, and mixing unrated shackles, hooks and straps can turn a simple snatch into a serious incident. Fit properly engineered recovery points, understand their load path and make sure everyone in the group knows how to use the equipment safely.
A winch is a sensible investment for regular remote touring, especially on heavier wagons or utes travelling through mud, steep country or soft sand. It adds weight to the front of the vehicle, though, so it should be considered alongside suspension, axle loads and battery capacity. A winch without suitable recovery points, a tree trunk protector and basic winching knowledge is only part of the solution.
Tyres, puncture repairs and air management
Good tyres are one of the best upgrades you can make before heading remote. The right all-terrain or mud-terrain tyre depends on your route, expected kilometres on bitumen, vehicle weight and how often you drive in mud, rocks or sand. For most touring vehicles, a quality light-truck construction all-terrain tyre offers a strong balance of road manners, puncture resistance and off-road grip.
Carry at least one full-size spare, and consider a second spare for genuinely remote routes or vehicles running uncommon tyre sizes. More importantly, make sure the spares are in good condition, correctly inflated and can be fitted with the tools you carry. A wheel brace that does not fit aftermarket wheel nuts is a frustrating discovery to make on the side of a corrugated track.
A tyre repair kit and a reliable 12-volt compressor should be treated as standard touring equipment. Being able to plug a simple tread puncture can save a spare tyre, while adjusting pressures is vital for safety and traction. Lower pressures help tyres work over corrugations, sand and rocky tracks, but they need to be selected with care. Too low at speed can damage a tyre or unseat a bead. A quality pressure gauge helps you make consistent decisions rather than guessing.
Water, fuel and sensible storage
Remote touring is largely an exercise in carrying enough essentials without overloading the vehicle. Water comes first. A practical benchmark is to carry more water than you expect to use, allowing for hot conditions, delays and a vehicle problem that leaves you stationary longer than planned. Purpose-built water tanks, jerry cans secured externally or food-grade containers in the rear are all workable options, provided the load is restrained and accessible.
Fuel range needs the same planning. Work from real-world consumption, not the best figure shown on a dashboard. Sand, corrugations, headwinds, low-range work, roof loads and towing can all increase fuel use significantly. An auxiliary tank or securely mounted jerry cans can add useful range, but extra fuel also adds substantial weight. It affects payload, handling and suspension performance.
Storage systems are useful when they stop gear becoming a projectile. A drawer system, cargo barrier, fridge slide or load-rated tie-down arrangement can make camp life easier and improve safety. However, every steel drawer, fridge, dual battery and loaded box adds kilos. Before fitting accessories, check the vehicle's payload and axle ratings. It is easy for a touring ute or wagon to become overweight once passengers, a tow ball load, water, fuel and recovery gear are included.
Power, lighting and communications
A dual-battery system is a practical touring upgrade for anyone running a fridge, camp lights, compressor or charging devices. The system should be designed around the battery chemistry, expected draw and charging method. A DC-DC charger is often a good fit for modern vehicles with smart alternators, while solar can help at camp when staying put for several days.
Do not assume a bigger battery fixes every problem. Cable sizing, fusing, battery location and charge management all matter. Poorly installed 12-volt equipment is a common cause of flat batteries, damaged wiring and electrical faults. A professional installation is worth it when the vehicle will be far from support.
Driving lights improve visibility on unlit roads, but they should complement rather than replace sound driving habits. Aim them properly, keep lenses clean and dip early for oncoming traffic. A handheld spotlight is also useful around camp and for checking road edges, while a headlamp keeps both hands free during tyre repairs or recovery work after dark.
For communications, a UHF radio remains valuable for convoy travel, track calls and talking with station vehicles or truck drivers. It is not a substitute for an emergency device. When travelling beyond reliable mobile coverage, carry a satellite phone, personal locator beacon or satellite messenger appropriate for your route. Tell someone your plans, expected check-in times and what to do if you fail to report in.
Protection that earns its place
Underbody protection, a bull bar, snorkel and suspension upgrade can all be useful, but they are not automatic requirements for every 4WD. The key is fitting equipment for a clear reason.
A bull bar can provide protection from animal strikes and creates a mounting point for a winch and driving lights. It must be compatible with the vehicle's safety systems and matched to front axle capacity. Underbody protection is worthwhile where tracks expose vulnerable components such as the sump, transmission or fuel tank. A snorkel helps raise the air intake and can reduce dust intake on convoy roads, but it does not make a vehicle waterproof. Water crossing depth is still limited by electronics, breathers, current, track conditions and driver judgement.
Suspension deserves particular attention. Springs and shock absorbers need to suit the vehicle's constant load, not just look taller. A touring setup carrying a bar, winch, drawers, fridge, long-range tank and rear cargo needs a different spring rate to an empty daily driver. Poorly matched suspension can produce harsh ride quality, sagging, bottoming out and compromised handling. It is worth having the vehicle weighed in touring trim before choosing components.
Preparation is the accessory you cannot buy
The most capable touring gear cannot compensate for neglected servicing. Before a remote trip, inspect the cooling system, brakes, belts, hoses, wheel bearings, suspension bushes, driveline, battery condition and fluid levels. Check for leaks, listen for unusual noises and deal with small issues before they become recovery jobs.
Carry the spares that make sense for your vehicle and route: engine oil, coolant, fuses, spare belts, hose repair tape and basic tools are a good starting point. Owners of older or heavily modified 4WDs may need a more vehicle-specific kit. There is no value in carrying a box of parts if you do not know what they fit or how to use them.
At Robson Brothers 4WD, we see the difference that proper preparation makes. The best touring setup is not the one with the most accessories. It is a well-serviced 4WD with sensible load management, quality equipment and an owner who understands its limits. Set the vehicle up for the country you plan to travel, then give yourself enough margin for the country to change its mind.