Cup final at Loftus − impressive, but overwhelming − we help you choose what to buy just after you parked your first 4x4 in the driveway.
Your braai buddies talk about loading systems, your know-it-all cousin reckons you need a winch, and the overeager salesman lips off about roof-top tents. But do you really need all this stuff?
No, you don’t. Believe us, for your first off-roading holiday you only need to buy a few basic things.

Here’s a basic list of some quality products that won’t break the bank...

For the vehicle

TYRE REPAIR KIT

Although one spare wheel will do for a tame daytrip, it’s not good enough for long expeditions since there’s always the chance of more than one puncture.
The key component in the tyre repair kit is the gummy plug − when you hear someone talking about a “snot plug”, he’s not referring to a hay fever attack.
The set also consists of glue, a reamer and an insertion needle to plug the hole. Most 4x4 stores also stock replacement plugs, so you don’t have to buy a full tyre repair kit if you run out of plugs.
Price: R200-R250

Choose from these two:
1. LA Sport tyre repair kit
Price: R195;
Tel: 012 751 0877
Web: www.lasport.co.za

2. Back on Track tyre repair kit from Safari Centre
Price: R215
Tel: 021 595 3910; 
Web: www.safaricentre.co.za
(Also see Drive Out #20.)

TOW STRAP

Don’t confuse a tow strap or tow rope with a kinetic strap (snatch strap) − a kinetic strap is a specialised elastic band used to recover a vehicle that is stuck deep in sand or mud. It boils down to being plucked out by another vehicle with an almighty jerk, which requires experience and training.
A tow strap is, well, a tow strap! It’s used for towing a vehicle as well as pulling a stuck vehicle free. And a beginner can use it.
Buy two bow shackles too for connecting the ends of the strap to the recovery points of each vehicle. Costing around R60 each, it should be rated to a minimum of 3 ½ tons.
Before you go off-roading, have recovery points installed for your vehicle at a reputable 4x4 workshop.
Price: R220-R400 (tow strap)

Try one of these two:
1. Sunset Gear 2.5 m tow strap from 4x4 MegaWorld
Price: R230
Tel: 011 454 2875
Web: www.4x4megaworld.co.za

2. SecureTech 3.5 m Pull Strap from Safari Centre 
Price: R290
Tel: 021 595 3910 
Web: www.safaricentre.co.za

SHOVEL

A shovel has a much deeper head than a spade, and you can move more soil, mud or sand with it.
So don’t grab just any spade in the garden shed before leaving, because you’ll bitterly regret it when you’re stuck in Kalahari sand with a flat garden spade as your only tool.
A full-sized shovel with a sturdy handle, like the ones one buys from a co-op, is the most effective, but a smaller folding shovel is the thinking man’s choice because it’s easier to pack.
Price: R100-R120

Try this one:

Outdoor Warehouse folding shovel
Price: R100
Tel: 0800 003 051
Web: www.outdoorwarehouse.co.za

COMPRESSOR

You can get out of a surprising variety of sticky situations by deflating your vehicle’s tyres. But as a flat tyre doesn’t pump itself again, a 12V pump (a compressor) is essential.
There’s a wide range of models to choose from. The main consideration is how hard the thing can blow − the so-called flow rate. For R500 you can get a compressor that pumps air at 40 litres/minute. For a few bucks more, you get a more powerful compressor that can do 72 litres/minute.
And what’s more, you can inflate the inflatable mattress with it tonight.
Price: R650-R800

This one works:
T-Max 72 LPM from 4x4 MegaWorld
Price: R650
Tel: 011 454 2875
Web: www.4x4megaworld.co.za
(Drive Out #28 has extensive information about compressors.)

A tyre pressure gauge isn’t quite as cheap as a bog roll, but it’s just as important (maybe even more important).
Experienced off-roaders know you need to deflate the tyres on almost all challenging surfaces, and that’s why you need a reliable gauge. (Don’t trust the pressure gauge on a compressor − it’s mostly inaccurate.)
Although you could buy a fancy digital gauge, a basic analogue one works just as well and doesn’t have batteries that can go flat. When last did you try buying a watch battery in Van Zylsrus?
Price? R80-R100

Try one of these two:
1. The Stetho-Gauge from Safari Centre
Price: R85
Tel: 021 595 3910
Web: www.safaricentre.co.za

2. The MotoQuip tyre pressure gauge from LA Sport; 
Price: R85
Tel: 012 751 0877
Web: www.lasport.co.za
(Also read Drive Out #28 for a comprehensive article about tyre pressure gauges.)