Choosing the right touring gear
Start with how you travel. A weekender on formed tracks needs different gear to someone crossing the Simpson. Drawer systems from Aeroklas keep tools and recovery gear organised and stop loose loads becoming projectiles in a hard stop, but they add weight, so check your payload before you fill the tub. Anchor tracks and tie-down points are a cheap way to keep the rest of the load secure.
For awnings, the limit is usually your roof rack, not the awning. A Rhino-Rack Batwing needs suitable crossbars and clearance to swing out fully, and your roof's load rating has to cover the rack, the awning and anything else up top. If you tow a caravan or camper wider than your vehicle, you need a clear view down both sides, which in practice means extended towing mirrors like the Britax range.
A dash cam is worth fitting before any big trip. Our AUTOBACS range runs from Super HD up to 4K with Wi-Fi and GPS, and hardwiring it in the workshop keeps cables off the windscreen and lets parking mode work properly.
Touring gear FAQs
Will a drawer system affect my payload?
Yes. Drawers, a fridge, water and recovery gear add up quickly, and payload also includes passengers and towball download. Weigh the vehicle loaded before a big trip, and if you are near the limit talk to us about what to trim or whether a GVM upgrade makes sense.
Do I need towing mirrors for my caravan?
If the caravan or trailer is wider than your 4x4, you must be able to see down both sides of it, which means extended mirrors. Clip-on towing mirrors go on in seconds and come off again when you are not towing.
Can you fit an awning to my existing roof rack?
Usually, yes. Most awnings mount to standard crossbars with the supplied brackets, but bar spacing and load ratings vary between racks. Bring the vehicle into our Burwood workshop and we will confirm fitment before you buy.